FC 25 Player Role List

In FC 25, player roles are tailored to reflect real-world positions and tactics, providing strategic depth to each position on the field. Each role comes with specific focuses that influence a player’s movement, behavior, and decision-making both on and off the ball. The list below outlines the available roles and their respective focuses based on player positions.

FC 25 Player Role

Position | Role — Focus:

1. Goalkeeper (GK)

• Goalkeeper — Defend | Balanced
• Sweeper Keeper — Balanced

2. Full-Backs (RB/LB)

• Fullback — Defend | Balanced
• Wingback — Balanced
• Falseback — Defend | Balanced
• Attacking Wingback — Balanced | Attack

3. Centre-Back (CB)

• Defender — Defend | Balanced
• Stopper — Balanced
• Ball-Playing Defender — Defend | Build-Up

4. Defensive Midfielder (CDM)

• Holding — Defend | Roaming
• Centre-Half — Defend
• Deep-Lying Playmaker — Defend | Roaming

5. Centre Midfielder (CM)

• Box-to-Box — Balanced
• Holding — Defend
• Deep-Lying Playmaker — Defend
• Playmaker — Attack | Roaming
• Half-Winger — Balanced | Attack

6. Wide Midfielders (RM/LM)

• Winger — Balanced | Attack
• Wide Midfielder — Defend | Balanced
• Wide Playmaker — Attack
• Inside Forward — Balanced | Attack

7. Attacking Midfielder (CAM)

• Playmaker — Balanced | Roaming
• Shadow Striker — Attack
• Half-Winger — Balanced | Attack

8. Wide Forwards (RW/LW)

• Winger — Balanced | Attack
• Inside Forward — Balanced | Attack | Roaming
• Wide Playmaker — Attack

9. Striker (ST)

• Advanced Forward — Attack | Complete
• Poacher — Attack
• False 9 — Build-Up
• Target Forward — Balanced | Attack | Wide

Each role and focus offer unique tactical options, allowing managers to tailor their strategies and player behaviors in ways that reflect different football philosophies. Whether you’re focused on defensive stability, midfield creativity, or clinical finishing, this list of roles ensures a dynamic gameplay experience.

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Striker (ST)

Advanced Forward

A versatile attacker who usually stays close to the opposition’s defensive line but opens themselves up for passes in the build-up and makes runs in behind for scoring chances.

Focus: Attack, Complete

Focus: Attack. With an Attack focus, the Advanced Forward will concentre on goal-scoring opportunities, usually positioning themselves high and central on the pitch.
Focus: Complete. When set to Complete, the Advanced Forward has the freedom to move wide when necessary to receive a pass or create space with a run.

• Attack Focus: Attacking (+), Pass Option (+), Versatile (=), Limited Width (-)
• Complete Focus: Attacking (+), Versatile (+), Movement (=), Build-Up Support (-)

Other characteristics: stay forward, slow to come back, low interceptions

Poacher

This player has one objective: to score goals. They stay forward and focus on making runs in behind the defense, hoping to fashion a chance to score.

Focus: Attack. With an attack focus, the Poacher will lurk just off the defensive linke, ready to capitalise on any defensive gaps or errors.

• Attack Focus: Attacking Runs (+), Support Centrally (+), Limited Width (=), Defence Support (-)

Other characteristics: get in behind, stay forward, slow to come back

False 9

Positioned in the forward line, this player drops deep to dictate play in the space in front of a defense. This also allows them to contribute to the defensive phases of the game.

Focus: Build-Up. With Build-Up, the False 9 will drop back from the opposition’s defence, and operate as a playmaker, leading attacks.

• Build-Up Focus: Creative (+), Build-Up Support (+), Movement (=), Attacking (-)

Other characteristics: come short

Target Forward

An attacking outlet whose physicality allows them to hold up play, shielding the ball from opponents and bringing others into attacks. They feed on crosses as well as passes to feet.

Focus: Attack, Balanced, Wide

Focus: Attack. With an attack focus, the Target Forward is free to focus on going forward, without any defensive insturctions.
Focus: Balanced. When Balanced, the Target Forward will drop off from the defensive linke, hold up play, and lay the ball off to teammates. They will have minor defensive duties.
Focus: Wide. When set to Wide, the Target Forward will drift to the edges of the box in a search for space to make an impact.

• Attack Focus: Physical (+), Attacking (+), Build-Up Support (=), Lacks Mobility (-)
• Balanced Focus: Physical (+), Build-Up Support (+), Defense Support (=), Lacks Mobility (-)
• Wide Focus: Physical (+), Wide Support (+), Attacking (=), Support Centrally (-)

Other characteristics: turn back into the opponent

Winger (RW/LW)

Winger

A wide midfielder who will always stay wide, hugging the touchline and offering support on the flanks in all phases of play.

Focus: Attack, Balanced

Focus: Attack. When set to attack, the Winger will focus on getting forward, and prefers to make runs behind the defence instead of receiving the ball to feet.
Focus: Balanced. When Balanced, the Winger will offer both defensive and attacking support. They mix making runs in behind and offering themselves as a passing option.

• Attack Focus: Wide Support (+), Attack Support (+), Pass Option (=), Defending (-)
• Balanced Focus: Wide Support (+), Pass Option (+), Versatile (=), Stamina Usage (-)

Other characteristics: stay wide, overlap runs, underlap runs

Inside Forward

A wide attacker who begins on the wing but will regularly cut inside onto their preferred foot to shoot or play the final pass. They tend to run in behind the defense.

Focus: Attack, Balanced, Roaming

Focus: Attack. When given an Attack focus, the Inside Forward will focus on cutting inside and making attacking runs.
Focus: Balanced. When Balanced, the Inside Forward will offer minimal defensive support, and sometimes hold off making runs in behind to instead offer passing options.
Focus: Roaming. When set to Roaming, the Inside Forward is allowed to freely explore and exploit any defensive gaps they can find.

• Attack Focus: Attacking (+), Support Centrally (+), Cut Inside (=), Defence Support (-)
• Balanced Focus: Attack Support (+), Pass Option (+), Cut Inside (=), Stamina Usage (-)
• Roaming Focus: Movement (+), Attack Support (+), Cut Inside (=), Out of Position (-)

Other characteristics: underlap runs

Wide Playmaker

A creative outlet positioned out wide but able to move inside to help create chances to unlock defenses.

Focus: Attack. With an Attack focus, the Wide Playmaker will move forward, and receive passes out wide.

• Attack Focus: Creative (+), Attack Support (+), Wide Support (=), Defence Support (-)

Other characteristics: stay wide, underlap runs, slow to come back

Attacking Midfielder (CAM)

Playmaker

This player tends to be the creative fulcrum of a midfield, given a license to roam and create space and opportunities for attacks. They are likely to be out of position if the opposition counters.

Focus: Balanced, Roaming

Focus: Balanced. When asked to be Balanced, the Playmaker will offer defensive support when needed, as well as orchestrating attacks.
Focus: Roaming. When set to Roaming, the Playmaker will have freedom to explore the pitch to find the best spaces to support attacks.

• Balanced Focus: Creative (+), Versatile (+), Pass Option (=), Stamina Usage (-)
• Roaming Focus: Creative (+), Movement (+), Out of Position (=), Defence Support (-)

Other characteristics: come short, low interceptions

Shadow Striker

An attack-minded midfielder who plays in the ‘hole’ behind the strikers. Their well-timed runs into the box will result in plenty of goal-scoring opportunities.

Focus: Attack. When set to Attack, the Shadow Striker will focus on making late runs into the box, filling the space behind the striker.

• Attack Focus: Attacking Runs (+), Support Centrally (+), Stamina Usage (=), Defence Support (-)

Other characteristics: stay forward, get in the box, slow to come back

Half-Winger

A midfielder who provides width when their team is in possession, moving along the flanks to offer a wide threat. It is particularly effective in a midfield three.

Focus: Balanced, Attack

Note: A central Half-Winger will tend to move to the side of their weak foot. A left-sided Half-Winger will move to the left, while a right-sided Half-Winger will go to the right.

Focus: Balanced. When Balanced, the Half Winger will alternate equally between attacking and defending in a measured way.
Focus: Attack. When set to Attack, the Half Winger can advance freely, sacrificing defensive responsibilities.

• Attack Focus: Wide Support (+), Attacking (+), Out of Position (=), Defence Support (-)
• Balanced Focus: Wide Support (+), Versatile (+), Movement (=), Stamina Usage (-)

Other characteristics: stay wide, overlap runs, underlap runs

Wide Midfielder (RM/LM)

Winger

A wide midfielder who will always stay wide, hugging the touchline and offering support on the flanks in all phases of play.

Focus: Balanced, Attack

Focus: Balanced. When Balanced, the Winger will offer both defensive and attacking support. They mix making runs in behind and offering themselves as a passing option.
Focus: Attack. When set to Attack, the Winger will focus on getting forward, and prefers to make runs behind the defence instead of receiving the ball to feet.

• Attack Focus: Wide Support (+), Attack Support (+), Pass Option (=), Defending (-)
• Balanced Focus: Wide Support (+), Pass Option (+), Versatile (=), Stamina Usage (-)

Other characteristics: stay wide, get in behind, overlap runs, underlap runs

Wide Midfielder

A midfielder who stays wide to facilitate play, providing passing and defensive support, but rarely ventures forward to attack.

Focus: Balanced, Defend

Focus: Balanced. When Balanced, the Wide Midfielder will stay wide to support possession and provide defensive support when needed.
Focus: Defend. When asked to Defend, the Wide Midfielder will drop into the defensive midfield line and protect the defence.

• Balanced Focus: Wide Support (+), Versatile (+), Pass Option (=), Lacks Mobility (-)
• Defend Focus: Wide Support (+), Stays Back (+), Pass Option (=), Attack Support (-)

Other characteristics: stay wide, stay in line

Wide Playmaker

A creative outlet positioned out wide but able to move inside to help create chances to unlock defenses.

Focus: Attack. With an Attack focus, the Wide Playmaker will move forward, and receive passes out wide.

• Attack Focus: Creative (+), Attack Support (+), Wide Support (=), Defence Support (-)

Other characteristics: come short, stay forward, low interception, slow to come back

Inside Forward

A wide attacker who begins on the wing but will regularly cut inside onto their preferred foot to shoot or play the final pass. They tend to run in behind the defense.

Focus: Balanced, Attack

Focus: Balanced. When Balanced, the Inside Forward will offer minimal defensive support, and sometimes hold off making runs in behind to instead offer passing options.
Focus: Attack. When given an Attack focus, the Inside Forward will focus on cutting inside and making attacking runs.

• Attack Focus: Attacking (+), Support Centrally (+), Cut Inside (=), Defence Support (-)
• Balanced Focus: Attack Support (+), Pass Option (+), Cut Inside (=), Stamina Usage (-)

Other characteristics: underlap runs

Centre Midfielder (CM)

Box-to-Box

This player operates between the two boxes, being neither the last line of defense nor the final part of the attack but involved in everything in between.

Focus: Balanced. When asked to be Balanced, the Box-to-box Midfielder will cover the centre of the pitch in attack and defence.

• Balanced Focus: Attack Support (+), Defence Support (+), Versatile (=), Stamina Usage (-)

Other characteristics: stay central, cover center, get forward, come back on defense

Holding

A pivotal role in modern football, this defense-minded midfielder focuses on guarding their backline during attacks and covering off against counter-attacks, with limited attacking support.

Focus: Defend. When instructed to Defend, the Holding Midfielder will move slightly higher to offer a passing option, but will otherwise focus on defending.

• Defend Focus: Defending (+), Stays Back (+), Pass Option (=), Lacks Mobility (-)

Other characteristics: stay central, cover center, aggressive interceptions

Deep-Lying Playmaker

This defensively positioned midfielder is the key cog to building up play from the back and will often be the catalyst for attacks.

Focus: Defend. With a Defend focus, the Deeop-lying Playmaker will focus on closing down passing lanes and staying back while their team attacks.

• Defend Focus: Defending (+), Creative (+), Intercepts Passes (=), Attacking (-)

Other characteristics: stay central, cover center, stay in line

Playmaker

This player tends to be the creative fulcrum of a midfield, given a license to roam and create space and opportunities for attacks. They are likely to be out of position if the opposition counters.

Focus: Attack, Roaming

Focus: Attack. When set to Attack, the Playmaker will move forward to support attacks higher up the field.
Focus: Roaming. When set to Roaming, the Playmaker will have freedom to explore the pitch to find the best spaces to support attacks.

• Attack Focus: Creative (+), Attack Support (+), Limited Width (=), Defence Support (-)
• Roaming Focus: Creative (+), Movement (+), Out of Position (=), Defence Support (-)

Other characteristics: cover center, slow to come back, low interceptions

Half-Winger

A midfielder who provides width when their team is in possession, moving along the flanks to offer a wide threat. It is particularly effective in a midfield three.

Focus: Attack, Balanced

Note: A central Half-Winger will tend to move to the side of their weak foot. A left-sided Half-Winger will move to the left, while a right-sided Half-Winger will go to the right.

Focus: Attack. When set to Attack, the Half Winger can advance freely, sacrificing defensive responsibilities.
Focus: Balanced. When Balanced, the Half Winger will alternate equally between attacking and defending in a measured way.

• Balanced Focus: Wide Support (+), Versatile (+), Movement (=), Stamina Usage (-)
• Attack Focus: Wide Support (+), Attacking (+), Out of Position (=), Defence Support (-)

Other characteristics: stay wide, overlap runs, underlap runs

Defensive Midfielder (CDM)

Holding

A pivotal role in modern football, this defense-minded midfielder focuses on guarding their backline during attacks and covering off against counter-attacks, with limited attacking support.

Focus: Defend, Roaming

Focus: Defend. When instructed Defend, the Holding Midfielder will move slightly higher to offer a passing option, but will otherwise focus on defending.
Focus: Roaming. When set to Roaming, the Holding Midfielder will move across the width of the pitch to close passing lanes, and step up to press attackers.

• Defend Focus: Defending (+), Stays Back (+), Pass Option (=), Lacks Mobility (-)
• Roaming Focus: Defending (+), Movement (+), Pass Option (=), Stamina Usage (-)

Other characteristics: stays back

Centre Half

A defensive midfielder who will drop between the centre-backs while their team is in possession to offer protection against the counterattack.

Focus: Defend. When set to Defend, the Centre Half will focus on their defensive duties.

• Defend Focus: Defending (+), Support Centrally (+), Limited Versatility (=), Wide Support (-)

Other characteristics: stays back, drop between defenders, cover center

Deep-Lying Playmaker

This defensively positioned midfielder is the key cog to building up play from the back and will often be the catalyst for attacks.

Focus: Defend, Roaming

Focus: Defend. With a Defend focus, the Deep-lying Playmaker will focus on closing down passing lanes and staying back while their team attacks.
Focus: Roaming. The Roaming focus allows the Deep-lying Playmaker to move across the width of the pitch to support attacks.

• Defend Focus: Defending (+), Creative (+), Intercepts Passes (=), Attacking (-)
• Roaming Focus: Creative (+), Movement (+), Pass Option (=), Out of Position (-)

Other characteristics: cut passing lanes

Full-Back (RB/LB)

Fullback

A wide defender that will prioritize protecting their own goal by staying back, holding the defensive line, and offering a passing option to release pressure.

Focus: Defend, Balanced

Focus: Defend. When set to Defend, the Fullback will move inside to form a back three when their team is in possession.
Focus: Balanced. When set to Balanced, the Fullback is granted more freedom to push slightly forward and wider in support of attacks.

Defend Focus: Stays Back (+), Defending (+), Limited Versatility (=), Wide Support (-)

• Joins the CBs

Balanced Focus: Defending (+), Stays Back (+), Pass Option (=), Attack Support (-)

Other characteristics: sprint back to defend, stay wide, drop to support

Falseback

A modern evolution of the fullback, this player pushes up the field, adopting a central position, when their team has the ball.

Focus: Defend, Balanced

Focus: Defend. When set to Defend, the Falseback operates as a Defensive Midfielder when the team has the ball.
Focus: Balanced. When set to Balanced, the Falseback positions themselves as a Central Midfielder when their team is in possession.

Defend Focus: Defending (+), Build-Up Support (+), Limited Width (=), Out of Position (-)

• Plays as a CDM

Balanced Focus: Build-Up Support (+), Defence Support (+), Limited Width (=), Out of Position (-)

• Plays as a CM

Other characteristics: stays back, inverted run, no forward runs

Wingback

This player’s versatility and stamina allows them to push upfield to support attacks before returning to their defensive position.

Focus: Balanced. With Balanced, the Wingback is given license to stay forward even when the team is out of possession, or drop back into defence when needed.

• Balanced Focus: Wide Support (+), Movement (+), Versatile (=), Stamina Usage (-)

Other characteristics: stay wide, overlap run, underlap run, drop to support, sprint back to defend

Attacking Wingback

Though technically a defender, this player will be more concerned with getting forward and offering width to their team’s attacks.

Focus: Balanced, Attack

Focus: Balanced. When asked to be Balanced, the Attacking Wingback will rarely spring back to defend, unless their team has been hit on the counter.
Focus: Attack. When asked to Attack, the Attacking Wingback will push even higher up the pitch, and perform fewer defensive duties.

• Balanced Focus: Wide Support (+), Attacking (+), Stamina Usage (=), Defending (-)
• Attack Focus: Attacking (+), Wide Support (+), Out of Position (=), Defending (-)

Other characteristics: join the attack, stay wide, overlap run, underlap run, slow to come back

Centre-Back (CB)

Defender

A no-nonsense centre-back who excels at the basics of defending, including maintaining the defensive line.

Focus: Defend, Balanced

Focus: Balanced. With a Balanced focus, the Defender will step up to close down attackers when needed.
Focus: Defend. When asked to Defend, the Defender will focus only on their defensive responsibilities.

• Defend Focus: Stays Back (+), Defending (+), Limited Versatility (=), Pass Option (-)
• Balanced Focus: Defending (+), Stays Back (+), Limited Versatility (=), Limited Width (-)

Other characteristics: No forward runs

Stopper

A ball-winning centre-back who will step forward from the defensive line to make tackles, intercept passes, and lead the press.

Focus: Balanced. With a Balanced focus, the Stopper will intercept passes and pressure attackers receiving the ball.

• Balanced Focus: Defending (+), Pressure (+), Aggressiveness (=), Leave Gaps (-)

Other characteristics: stay back, step up, aggressive interception

Ball-Playing Defender

A modern centre-back who is as comfortable playing offside as well as playing the ball, and capable of moving forward or wider to support build-up play.

Focus: Defend, Build-Up

Focus: Defend. When set to Defend, the Ball-playing Defender will step up a little to support teammates during possession.
Focus: Build-Up. The Build-Up focus moves the Ball-playing Defender into more of a holding defensive midfielder role during possession.

• Defend Focus: Defending (+), Build-Up Support (+), Stays Back (=), Leave Gaps (-)
• Build-Up Focus: Build-Up Support (+), Defence Support (+), Versatile (=), Out of Position (-)

Other characteristics: —

Goalkeeper (GK)

Goalkeeper

A traditional goalkeeper who stays on their line and focuses on shot-stopping.

Focus: Defend, Balanced

Focus: Defend. With a Defend focus, the Goalkeeper won’t rush out to collect long or loose balls.
Focus: Balanced. With a Balanced focus, the Goalkeeper will occasionally leave their area to collect long or loose balls.

• Defend Focus: Stays in Position (+), Defending (+), Low Risk (=), Rush (-)
• Balanced Focus: Stays in Position (+), Defending (+), Some Risk (=), Rush (-)

Other characteristics: —

Sweeper Keeper

A modern goalkeeper who is able to stop attacks and support build-up play as a passing option.

Focus: Balanced

Focus: Balanced. A Balanced focus allows the Sweeper Keeper to leave their area to collect balls close to their box.

• Balanced Focus: Rush (+), Pass Option (+), Some Risk (=), Stay in Position (-)

Other characteristics: —