Football Manager 26 Player Roles Revealed – Big Changes & New Roles

FM26 is perhaps the biggest update ever, and contains tons of new updates. With plenty of noise around what FM26 has got wrong with the BETA release. We thought we would check out what they got right, the new Player Roles.

Remember to make sure your PC can run FM26 ahead of the release date.

Now if there’s one thing fans of FM24 were crying out for (Me Included), it was some new player roles which reflect not only the modern game, but also some of the various playing styles of some of the games most unique players.

In and Out of Possesion Roles

One thing SI have got absolutely spot on, is FM26 Player roles. More specifically, the separation of player roles into In Possession (IP) and Out of Possession (OOP). This adds a completely different element to the game and allows for a lot more granularity within the game.  This can also serve very well in highlighting and covering for individual players defensive or attacking flaws and thus adds a really fun, realistic and clever element to the game.

As a result, one thing FM26 has brought, is plenty of new roles for managers to get their teeth stuck into. So let us know what your thoughts are, let us know what the best new roles added are, and let us know which roles you would still like to see. These now roles could be particularly effective given the different tempos of each league. So make sure you check out the comprhensive list of playable leagues to see where these new roles would be best deployed.

The Roles:

Goalkeeper

We start things off with the Goalkeeper position. Goalkeeper received 2 new player roles for managers to experiment with:

• Line-Holding Keeper
• No-Nonsense Keeper

Line holding in particular could be particularly valuable for teams who like to play a bit deeper, or who don’t want to get exposed during attacks. This has very strong situational application as a result.

Goalkeeper Roles on FM26

Role	Description
Goalkeeper	A balanced role that distributes the ball according to the team strategy.
Line-Holding Keeper (New)	Stays in the box, focused entirely on defending the goal; leaves defensive coverage outside the box to the team.
No-Nonsense GK (New)	Plays safe, avoids risky plays, and prefers to clear the ball out of danger quickly.
Sweeper Keeper	Aggressive, engages attackers outside the box, and actively intercepts passes.
Ball-Playing GK	Engages with the team during the build-up, is balanced, and acts as a deep playmaker.

Centre Back

The Centre Back position was not one of the most altered positions in the game as far as roles go. However, it did receive one new role:

• Advanced CB

This could be particularly useful in gaining maximum utility from Ball-Playing CBs. As well as being able to unlock DMs who have a much stronger penchant for getting forward and joining attaks. This is personally one of my favourite new additions.

Centre Back Roles on FM26

Role	Description
Centre-Back	A 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 and is responsible for engaging attackers who break through.
Stopping CB	Confronts attackers directly and stops plays early.
Ball-Playing CB	Sends line-breaking passes and drives the ball forward to initiate attacks.
Overlapping CB	Aggressive, plays with the attack, and overlaps into wide areas.
Advanced CB (New)	Pushes into the Defensive Midfielder (DM) role during the build-up phase.
Wide CB	Provides width and recycling options on the flank.
Covering Wide CB	Holds the line and plays defensively on the wide area to support the Goalkeeper.
Stopping Wide CB	Engages wide attackers early and plays aggressively on the wings.

Full Back

One of the hottest new positions, Full Back received 3, yes 3 new roles for us to get stuck into!

• Holding Full Back
• Inside Full Back
• Pressing Full Back

Much like Centre Back, these new roles could add a whole new dimension to defending an in particular covering for other players’ weaknesses and strengths. In the modern game where CBs play full back in order to provide License to their opposite side Full Back to get forward, these new additions could prove very useful in maximizing skillsets.

Full Back Roles on FM26

Role	Description
Full-Back	A balanced role that supports the attack with occasional overlaps.
Holding Full-Back (New)	Stays behind the attack to cover against counter-attacks.
Inside Full-Back (New)	Tucks in behind the Centre-Back line to aid in the build-up phase.
Inverted Full-Back	Pushes forward and inward to support the midfield.
Pressing Full-Back (New)	Supports high up the pitch and assists the team's high press.

Wing Back

If you thought Full Backs got more additions then wait til you see this. Wing Backs received a total of 5 new roles for managers to test out. Given the amount of variation in set-ups which wing backs have to endure, these extra roles are almost a necessary pre-requisite for accommodating the position.

• Holding Wing Back
• Inside Wing Back
• Pressing Wing Back
• Playing Wing Back
• Advanced Wing Back

Really feeling Pep and Glasner’s legacy here. One of my favourite players at the moment, particularly as an avid FPL writer and South Londoner, is Daniel Munoz. It is nice to see that wing Backs can now essentially be attackers, which we see particularly in the case of Munoz. Some more great additions here.

Wing Back Roles in FM26

Role	Description
Wing-Back	Combines Full-Back and Winger duties; overlaps and supports attacks.
Holding Wing-Back (New)	Stays behind on the attack to cover the sides.
Inside Wing-Back (New)	Shuttles between the center and the side to support passing and counter-defense.
Inverted Wing-Back	Defensive wing player who moves up to support the midfield.
Pressing Wing-Back (New)	Presses the opposition's attack high on the wing to limit their playmaking.
Playing Wing-Back (New)	Acts as a central hub for passing play, creating attacking chances with through balls and crosses.
Advanced Wing-Back (New)	Springs high and wide, playing more like a wide midfielder.

Defensive Midfielder

Plenty more new roles at the Defensive Midfielder spot for players to get stuck into as well:

• Dropping DM
• Screening DM
• Wide Covering DM
• Pressing DM

They really have hit the nail on the head with these OOP roles. Now DMs are able to slide over and assist Full Backs and even run some channels and get involved in link up play on the other end. Particularly useful for maximizing utility of DMs with plenty of stamina.

Defensive Midfield Roles in FM26

Role	Description
Defensive Midfielder	Shields the defense and strings play along with simple, safe passes.
Dropping DM (New)	Drops deep into the back line to support the defense during possession.
Screening DM (New)	Stands between the midfield and defense, focused on intercepting early passes.
Wide Covering DM (New)	Shifts wide to assist fullbacks and cover the flanks.
Half-Back	Drops between the Centre-Backs during the build-up phase.
Pressing DM (New)	Moves forward to aggressively assist with the offense and press.
Deep-Laying Playmaker	Starts playmaking from deep positions, beginning attacks with pinpoint passes.

Central Midfielder

Another position with a huge amount of new roles is the Central Midfield spot:

• Screening CM
• Wide-Covering CM
• Box-to-Box Playmaker
• Channel Midfielder
• Midfield Playmaker
• Pressing CM

If there’s one thing these additions scream it is 4-3-3 friendly. The idea of having 3 centre mids and being able to send them in 3 different directions and roles is tantalising. Great additions.

Central Midifield Role sin FM26

Role	Description
Central Midfielder	A balanced role that supports both defense and attack.
Screening CM (New)	Blocks the central zone and intercepts passes to launch counter-attacks.
Wide-Covering CM (New)	Shifts wide to provide defensive protection to the flanks.
Box-to-Box Midfielder	Covers the entire pitch, providing an all-around presence.
Box-to-Box Playmaker (New)	A creative presence who both drops deep to retrieve and pushes forward to create.
Channel Midfielder (New)	Makes overlapping runs into wide channels.
Midfield Playmaker (New)	Aggressive, focused on setting up offensive playmaking for the striker.
Pressing CM (New)	Aggressive, assists in building the offense through high pressure.

Wide Midfielder

An expansion to the Wide Midfielder spot has resulted in 3 new roles being added:

• Tracking Wide Midfielder
• Wide Central Midfielder
• Wide Outlet Midfielder

The designation of a wide midfielder to be an outlet as opposed to dropping deep while defending will be a particularly useful addition when in Counter-Attack and defending a lead. Some great additions here.

Wide Midfield Roles in FM26

Role	Description
Wide Midfielder	Plays deeper on the flank and delivers crosses.
Tracking Wide Midfielder (New)	Drops back to help with defense while remaining available for attack.
Wide Central Midfielder (New)	Builds up play for the side, often accompanied by the Central Midfielder.
Wide Outlet Midfielder (New)	Stays high, avoids defensive duties, and is available for crosses or counter-attacks.

Attacking Midfielder

Perhaps the most fun additions to the new roles come at the AM spot:

• Tracking AM
• Central Outlet AM
• Splitting Outlet AM
• Free Role

Finally Phil Foden, Kai Havertz and Mason Mount may be able to flourish with the addition of the positionless position. This free role is one which could prove very exciting, and we are keen to see how this plays in game.

Attacking Midfield Roles in FM26

Role	Description
Attacking Midfielder	Works between the lines of the opponent's defense and midfield to create space.
Tracking AM (New)	Drops back to help defend but stays in the opponent's half to cut plays early.
Advanced Playmaker	Creates space in the central area near the box, opening up the defensive line.
Central Outlet AM (New)	Remains high and avoids defensive duties, often playing alongside wide outlet midfielders.
Splitting Outlet AM (New)	Remains high and moves wide for quick counter-attacks.
Free Role (New)	Roams wherever needed, creating disruption and confusion for the opponent's defense.

Winger

With the most new additions to the game, its safe to say the winger spot will be receiving some huge upgrades.

• Half-Space Winger
• Inside Winger
• Inverting Outlet Winger
• Tracking Winger
• Wide Outlet winger
• Wide Playmaker
• Wide Forward

Finally, we see the sheer variation in wingers reflected within the game. Particularly in the form of wingers who also work hard off the ball being able to be maximized and acknowledged. E.g. Saka.

Winger Roles in FM26

Role	Description
Winger	Stretches the play out wide and delivers crosses into the box.
Half-Space Winger (New)	Moves inwards to help with the attack and intercepts passes to retain possession.
Inside Winger (New)	Similar to the Half-Space Winger, but remains more central.
Inverting Outlet Winger (New)	Stays high and moves inward for counter-attacks.
Tracking Winger (New)	Tracks back for defensive support while remaining an option for attack.
Wide Outlet Winger (New)	Stays high and 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 penalty box.
Inside Forward	Cuts inside from the wing to attack central spaces and receive crosses or through balls.

Striker

A close 2^nd to wingers for new roles, Striker has added 6 new roles, which are set to add a whole new dimension to forward play in fm26.

• Half-Space Forward
• Second Striker
• Channel Forward
• Central Outlet CF
• Splitting Outlet CF
• Tracking CF

These are some of the best additions role wise throughout all positions. Summarizing attackers to roles like ‘Advanced Forward’ , did not truly reflect the variation in play styles. These could prove very exciting for team set up.

Striker roles in FM26

Role	Description
False Nine	Moves deep toward the center, creates plays, and drags defenders out of the defensive line.
Deep-Lying Forward	Connects the midfield and attack, helping the team retain possession in advanced areas.
Half-Space Forward (New)	A wide attacker who cuts in to score.
Second Striker (New)	Drops into space early, looks for a through ball to score, and is prone to being offside.
Channel Forward (New)	A high-energy runner who exploits wide channels, often for deep crosses.
Centre Forward	The classic No. 9, leading the line and serving as the primary attacking focus.
Central Outlet CF (New)	Remains high and avoids defensive work, focusing on receiving the ball for attack.
Splitting Outlet CF (New)	Stays deep in the opposition's half and moves wide for counter-attacks.
Tracking CF (New)	Plays backward to assist the defense and looks for counter-attacks following intercepts.
Target Forward	A physical presence and aerial threat used to pressurize the opposing defense.
Poacher	Remains central with minimal movement, focused on great finishing and scoring opportunities.

Will more player roles be added before the launch?

Overall I think these changing are a step in the right direction. Any opportunity to provide players with more granularity over set-up is normally a good thing. However, what remains to be seen is how well these will play in practice, as the sheer amount of detail required to reflect these will take a lot of processing skill and power.

It is unlikely that new roles will be added or removed prior to launch as these will likely take a large amount of programmatic work. Also given the multitude of other issues currently being highlighted, its hard to imagine these will be near the top of SI’s priority list. It is worth keeping an eye on SI’s announcements though.

 

Check out our early takeaways from the Football Manager 26 Beta – the good, the bad and the ugly!

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