The best FC 24 meta players, tactics and formations
Dec. 15, 2023See the most OP cards and strategies in your FC 24 meta guide
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The FC 24 meta has gone wild in recent weeks thanks to a summer of 90+ promos. But there’s still time to build a strongEA Sports FC 24Ultimate Team without having millions of coins in the bank. All you need is a scouting report on the most OP players and tactics – which is exactly what we’ve made for you below. Stay up to speed with all the on-trend players and formations using GR’s FC 24 meta guide.
FC 24 meta goalkeepers are all about worshiping Pope
Goalkeeper is the one position on the pitch where the community doesn’t like to mess around. Which is understandable: a dodgy netminder is going to cost you all-important Rivals and weekend league games. As such, you see plenty of Ederson (Manchester City, 88) and Allison (Liverpool, 89) online. But either of those will cost you well into five figures. Much like last year, then, it’s Newcastle’s Nick Pope who is the meta keeper of choice. He has threeFC 24 PlayStyles– Footwork, Cross Claimer, and Rush Out – and imperious height at 6ft 6in. Shell out 2,100 coins for him, right away.
Attacking full-backs remain highly sought after, and among the most popular is Jeremie Frimpong (RWB, Leverkusen, 83). His 94 Pace and 84 Dribbling are yours for 1,100 coins. If you have more money to flash then instead grab Ashley Lawrence (RB, Chelsea Women, 86). There are numerous nifty options on the other flank, such as Nuno Mendes (LB, Paris SG, 82) and Reinildo (LB, Atletico Madrid, 81).
Marquinhos (CB, Paris SG, 87) is the guy everyone wants at the center of defense, but he’s 7,600 coins – pricing the Brazilian out for most. Instead consider the affordable, and swift, Bayern Munich pair of Dayot Upamecano (CB, 82) and Min Jae Kim (CB, 84). Maybe grab their third strip from theFC 24 best kitslist, too.
If you want to fit in with the meta while working on a budget, then Real Madrid youngster Camavinga (CM, 82) needs to be the first purchase. For 2,000 coins you’re getting 79 Pace, 80 Passing, 82 Dribbling, and 80 Physicality. Once you’ve built up finances, you can then add Kingsley Coman (LM, Barcelona, 85) and Marcos Llorente (RM, Atletico Madrid, 84) for a strong all-La Liga midfield. Many wingers can also play further back, too. Trinity Rodman (RW, Washington Spirit, 84) and Delphine Cascarino (RW, Lyon Feminin, 84) both have 94 Pace but can be picked up for under 3,500 coins.
The deadliest players on theFC 24 ratingslist are blokes called Mbappe and Haaland, but the meta goes deeper this year. Randal Kolo Muani is one such example. His base card costs just 2,700 coins, but offers 91 Pace and four useful PlayStyles: Finesse Shot, Technical, Flair, and Quick Step. If you built that all-La Liga midfield, you also want to consider Angel Correa (ST, Atletico Madrid, 82). With 85 Pace, 84 Shooting, and 86 Dribbling, he’s a snip at 750 coins.
As ever, 4-2-3-1 is beloved, effective… and a little bit boring. It is, after all, the formation you see most online. But that’s because it works. Two defensive shields protect the back four, giving you plenty of opportunities to break up play. At which point, opponents find it hard to cover the LM, RM and CAM as they burst forward to support a lone striker. GR has had the most success using this tactic with a high defensive line – for a more detailed explanation, hit ourFC 24 formationsguide.
A narrower formation that also remains on-trend is the 4-1-2-1-2. A second striker causes more chaos in and around the box for your opponent to deal with, while forcing them to play the ball out to the flanks thanks to sheer weight of numbers centrally. However, full-backs need to be quick enough to get up and down, and technically strong in order to bolster attacks. Which is exactly what’s made Jeremie Frimpong so meta this year.
You’re going to see a lot of 4-2-3-1 in the ongoingFC 24 FC Pro Livetournament, so it makes sense to hone in on this tactic. If you want to properly master it, here’s a set-up recommended by former pro playerOvidiu Patrascu. Give it a go, then tweak to fit your approach.
Player instructions (leave default unless listed here):
For many, meta means ‘Premier League’. If you’re looking to follow the masses and build an all-EPL eleven, here’s a highly competitive one that will set you back around 25,000 coins.
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I’m GamesRadar’s sports editor, and obsessed with NFL, WWE, MLB, AEW, and occasionally things that don’t have a three-letter acronym – such as Chvrches, Bill Bryson, and Streets Of Rage 4. (All the Streets Of Rage games, actually.) Even after three decades I still have a soft spot for Euro Boss on the Amstrad CPC 464+.
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