We reported on it a few days ago, but now it’s official — tactics are getting an overhaul in Football Manager 26!
Sports Interactive has revealed a major tactical overhaul for the latest entry into the Football Manager series, headlined by the long-requested ability to set separate formations for when your team is in possession and out of possession.
In And Out Of Possession Formations
For the first time in the series’ history, managers can assign two distinct shapes to their side: One for attacking phases and another for defending. After choosing a preferred tactical style, players will now select an “In Possession” formation, then be offered several complementary “Out of Possession” setups.
This flexibility allows managers to create tactical systems that mirror modern football. A 4-3-3 when attacking, for example, could naturally shift into a 4-1-4-1 when defending. Backroom staff will flag risky combinations, but the final call rests with you and your preferences.
To support the change, FM26 features a redesigned Tactics menu with four different views: In Possession, Out of Possession, Both (side-by-side comparison), and Combined (average positioning). This makes it easier to visualize how players transition between phases.
A new tool called the Visualizer brings tactics to life by showing how player roles shift across thirds of the pitch. Clicking on specific zones reveals how positioning changes as the ball moves, powered by training match scenarios. Examples shown include Inside Wing-Backs drifting into the midfield and pressing midfielders stepping higher to trigger a press.
Player Roles Have Been Overhauled
Alongside dual formations, FM26 has reworked its player roles. Some long-standing roles, including the Mezzala, Enganche, and Trequartista, are gone. Others have been renamed or expanded with new functionality, such as the Inside Forward. The game also introduces brand-new options like the Overlapping Center Back, Playmaking Wing-Back, Wide Central Midfielder, and Channel Forward.
Out of Possession roles are also making their debut, determining how players behave when defending in different shapes and presses. All roles are integrated with player reports and rated with FM‘s familiar 5-star system.
Match Engine And Instruction Upgrades
These tactical additions come alongside a host of match engine upgrades. Passing patterns have been rewritten with smarter risk assessment, leading to more incisive line-breaking balls. Dribbling has been overhauled with improved animations and greater variety in how wingers and forwards attack defenders. Defensively, pressing shapes, interceptions, and goalkeeper decision-making have all been refined.
Team Instructions have also been revamped with a more visual layout, showing only relevant options for the phase of play being adjusted. The section now links directly to the Data Hub, making analysis and tactical adjustments more streamlined.
