Football Manager 26 has just become a tactical battlefield with the revamped role system, and fans are loving it. When new roles for FM 26 were leaked, people were unsure of how things would play out in-game. But with 40 new roles being added, totaling 72 roles in the game at this point, it’s time to revisit the role system.
New roles aren’t the only new features, as FM 26 introduces the In-Possession (IP) and Out-of-Possession (OOP) system. Essentially, you need to select different roles for when your team has possession of the ball (usually on offense) and when they lose possession (usually on defense). But more on that later. For now, let’s take a look at all the roles we’ll see in Football Manager 26.
Goalkeeper Roles
| Role | Description |
| Goalkeeper | Balanced role, distributes according to team strategy |
| Line-Holding Keeper (New) | Stays in the box, defending the goal. Defense is left up to the team, except within the box |
| No-Nonsense GK (New) | Plays safe, no risky plays |
| Sweeper Keeper | Aggressive, engages attackers, intercepts passes |
| Ball-Player GK | Engages with the team, is balanced, and is a playmaker |
Centre-Back Roles
| Role | Description |
| Centre-Back | Balanced defender who assists in gaining possession |
| No-Nonsense CB | Avoids risky plays, prefers to clear the ball, and plays defensively |
| Covering CB | Holds the defensive line, engages attackers |
| Stopping CB | Confronts attackers, stops plays early |
| Ball-Playing CB | Sends line-breaking passes, drives the ball forward |
| Overlapping CB | Aggressive, plays with attack, overlaps to wide areas |
| Advanced CB (New) | Breaks into the DM role in the build-up |
| Wide CB | Provides width and recycling options |
| Covering Wide CB | Holds line, plays defensively to support GK |
| Stopping Wide CB | Engages attackers early, plays aggressively on the wings |
Full-Back Roles
| Role | Description |
| Full-Back | Balanced role, supports attack with overlaps |
| Holding Full-Back (New) | Stays behind to cover counter-attacks |
| Inside Full-Back (New) | Tucked behind the CB line for build-up |
| Inverted Full-Back | Pushes forward to support the midfield |
| Pressing Full-Back (New) | Supports high up the pitch and assists with the press |
Wing-Back Roles
| Role | Description |
| Wing-Back | Combines Full-Back and Winger duties; overlaps and supports attacks |
| Holding Wing-Back (New) | Stays behind on the attack, covers the sides |
| Inside Wing-Back (New) | Shuttles between the center to support passing and counter-defend |
| Inverted Wing-Back | Defensive wing, but moves up to support the midfield |
| Pressing Wing-Back (New) | Presses the attack on the wing to mitigate playmaking |
| Playing Wing-Back (New) | Central hub of passing play; creates attacking chances with through balls and crosses |
| Advanced Wing-Back (New) | Springs high and wide; plays like a wide midfielder |
Defensive Midfield Roles
| Role | Description |
| Defensive Midfielder | Shields’ defense, strings play along with simple passes |
| Dropping DM (New) | Drops into the back line to support the defense |
| Screening DM (New) | Stands between midfield and defense, intercepting passes early |
| Wide Covering DM (New) | Shifts wide to assist fullbacks |
| Half-Back | Drops between CBs during build-up |
| Pressing DM (New) | Moves forward to assist with offense, aggressive |
| Deep-Laying Playmaker | Starts playmaking from behind, begins attacks deep with pinpoint passes |
Central Midfield Roles
| Role | Description |
| Central Midfielder | Balanced role, supports both defense and attack |
| Screening CM (New) | Blocks the central zone, intercepts passes for counter-attack |
| Wide-Covering CM (New) | Shifts wide to give defensive protection to flanks, defensive |
| Box-to-Box Midfielder | Covers the entire pitch, all-around player |
| Box-to-Box Playmaker (New) | Creative presence that drops deep and pushes forward both |
| Channel Midfielder (New) | Makes overlapping runs into wide channels |
| Midfield Playmaker (New) | Aggressive, sets up offensive playmaking to ST |
| Pressing CM (New) | Aggressive, helps build the offense |
Wide Midfield Roles
| Role | Description |
| Wide Midfielder | Plays deeper, delivers crosses from wide |
| Tracking Wide Midfielder (New) | Drops back to help with defense |
| Wide Central Midfielder (New) | Build up the play for the side, accompanied by the CM |
| Wide Outlet Midfielder (New) | Stays high while avoiding defensive duties, available for crosses or counter-attacks |
Attacking Midfielder Roles
| Role | Description |
| Attacking Midfielder | Works between lines, creates space |
| Tracking AM (New) | Drops back to help defend, stays in the opponent’s half, cuts plays early |
| Advanced Playmaker | Creates space in the central area near the box, opening the defensive line |
| Central Outlet AM (New) | Remains high while avoiding defensive duties, plays with wide outlet midfielders |
| Splitting Outlet AM (New) | Remains high and goes wide for counters |
| Free Role (New) | Roams wherever needed, creates disruption and confusion for the opponent |
Winger Roles
| Role | Description |
| Winger | Stretches play, delivers crosses |
| Half-Space Winger (New) | Moves inwards to help with attack, intercepts passes to keep possession |
| Inside Winger (New) | Similar to Half-Space Winger, but remains in the centre |
| Inverting Outlet Winger (New) | Stays high, moves inward for counter-attacks |
| Tracking Winger (New) | Tracks back for defensive help, remains available for attack |
| Wide Outlet Winger (New) | Stays high, does not engage in defense |
| Wide Playmaker (New) | Brings the ball inwards from the sides, creating space for the striker |
| Wide Forward (New) | A wide attacker who makes runs into the box |
| Inside Forward | Cuts inside to attack central spaces, receives crosses or through balls |
Striker Roles
| Roles | Description |
| False Nine | Moves deep towards the centre, creates plays, and opens the defensive line |
| Deep-Lying Forward | Connects midfield and attack, helps retain possession |
| Half-Space Forward (New) | A wide attacker who cuts in to score |
| Second Striker (New) | Drops deep in space early, looks for a through ball to score, and is prone to offside |
| Channel Forward (New) | High-energy runner into wide channels, allowing for deep crosses |
| Centre Forward | Classic No. 9, leads the line |
| Central Outlet CF (New) | Remains high, avoids defensive work |
| Splitting Outlet CF (New) | Stays deep into opposition, moves wide for counter-attacks |
| Tracking CF (New) | Plays backward to assist defense, looks for counter-attacks on intercepts |
| Target Forward | Physical presence, aerial threat to pressurize the opposing defense |
| Poacher | Remains in the centre, minimal movements, great finishing, and looks to score |
