
EA FC 25 Ultimate Team: Formations and Positions Removed
With EA Sports shaking up the gameplay mechanics in FC 25 Ultimate Team, several longstanding positions and formations have been axed to streamline squad building and enhance strategic depth. These changes, detailed on the EA official website, introduce a fresh meta focused on player roles and adaptability. Gamers will need to rethink their tactics, but the updates promise more balanced matches and improved draft experiences.
List of Removed Positions in EA FC 25
Three key positions have been eliminated to simplify team setups and reduce complexity in formations. This move aims to make player placement more intuitive, especially in defensive lines.
- CF (Centre Forward): No longer available, pushing players into ST or CAM roles for better attacking fluidity.
- LWB (Left Wing Back): Replaced by LB in five-back systems, emphasising defensive stability over wing play.
- RWB (Right Wing Back): Similarly shifted to RB, allowing for versatile FC players who can contribute both ways.
These removals encourage using the new Role Familiarity system, where athletes perform based on assigned duties rather than rigid spots. As FIFA22_INFO shared on X: "A lot of formations removed "—highlighting the community's buzz around these shifts.
List of Removed Formations in EA FC 25

Several popular formations are gone, aligning with position changes and promoting diverse strategies. This cull affects both offensive and defensive setups, forcing adaptations in competitive modes.
Here's a table summarising the removed formations and their key traits:
Formation | Key Traits Pre-Removal | Reason for Removal |
4-4-1-1 | Balanced midfield, secondary striker | Simplifies narrow attacks |
4-3-3 (5) | False 9 setup, creative forward play | Tied to CF removal |
5-2-2-1 | Defensive solidity, wing focus | Streamlines back-five options |
5-1-2-1-1 | Deep midfield anchor | Reduces overly defensive variants |
3-5-1-1 | Wide midfield dominance | Aligns with wing back elimination |
3-4-3 Diamond | Central control, diamond shape | Promotes role-based flexibility |
5-4-1 Diamond | Ultra-defensive with midfield diamond | Enhances draft mode balance |
These absences mean rethinking your EA FC Squad compositions for better chemistry.
Adjusted Formations and Their Changes
While not fully removed, some formations have been tweaked to fit the new ecosystem. These adjustments impact how teams transition between attack and defence, incorporating player roles for realism.
- 4-3-2-1: Now defends like a 4-4-2 out of possession, adding midfield cover but altering narrow attacks.
- Five-back variants: Use LB/RB instead of wing backs, improving auto-switches in drafts.
- Other tweaks: Focus on role assignments, where players like fullbacks gain offensive duties.
Save your FC 25 Coins wisely to acquire items that thrive in these revamped systems.
Impact on FC 25 Gameplay Meta

The overhauls in FC 25 Ultimate Team shift the meta toward tactical versatility, reducing reliance on exploitable setups. Drafts benefit from fewer mismatches, while Ultimate Team sees more emphasis on evolutions and roles. Narrow formations may lose edge, but hybrids gain prominence. Overall, these changes foster creative playstyles, though some veterans might miss the old options.
Tips for Adapting to the New System
To stay competitive, focus on building around the updated mechanics. Experiment early to find what works.
- Prioritise players with high role familiarity for seamless integration.
- Use the SBC Solver Bot to craft cost-effective squads under new constraints.
- Test in Squad Battles before Rivals to gauge defensive shifts.
- Look for evolutions that boost adaptability in remaining formations.
Final Whistle
As the cycle evolves, forget about FC 25 hurdles—Buy FC 26 Coins now to leap ahead and build unstoppable teams in the next iteration. These updates refresh the experience, keeping FC 25 Ultimate Team engaging until the end.