The best FIFA 22 meta players, tactics and formations

Đỗ Thủy03/12/2022

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FIFA 22

Declaring yourself a FIFA 22 metaplayer is rarely welcomed on social media. But it’s definitely a way to keep participating in regular division rivals and weekend league competitions. Sweaty FIFA 22 maps and strategies can make all the difference online and you’ll find everything you need to follow the crowd on these fronts ahead of time. The most cunning tactics, most successful formations and OP players (including the cheap yet powerful Ligue 1 lineup) are in your FIFA 22 meta guide.

FIFA 22 meta player

FIFA 22 meta goalkeepers include Pope and Donnarumma.

FIFA 22

(Image courtesy of EA)

The Keeper has improved a lot this year and is generally more reliable, but two factors determine individual popularity. It’s size (tall keepers are particularly good at crosses and top corner shots) and “stop on foot” traits. Helps block rebounds at close range or one-on-one.

Like FIFA 21, Nick Pope (Burnley, 83) is a very popular choice right now. He has a ‘foot stop’ trait that fits a 6′ 6″ frame and can earn you around 1,600 coins. Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris SG, 89) is also known as a Euro 2020 striker. The King of Italy between the sticks is 6 feet 5 inches tall and doesn’t have the trait of saving with his feet, but the other two make him proficient at highballs and one-on-ones. “target” .

Speed is everything on FIFA 22’s list of meta defenders.

FIFA 22

(Image courtesy of EA)

Pace, Pace, Pace. No matter how hard EA tries to mitigate the impact of individual speed, it is still a priority for the most competitive FUT teams.

At fullback, this means that the two fastest gold cards are the ones you see regularly online. Alphonso Davies (LB, FC Bayern, 82) has an amazing pace count of 97 while Pace with the same division as Achraf Hakimi (RB, Paris SG, 85 ) has 95. If Hakimi’s 11,500 coin price tag is holding you back, try Ryan Fredericks (RB, West Ham, 76). It costs 1,300 coins and can be used on any sweaty EPL site.

80 is a magic number for speed when it comes to CB and means Eder Militao (Real Madrid, 82) is on the list of central defense options. His base gold card gives him 83 speed, 83 defense and 82 physical. Green connections to Donnarumma and Hakimi also make Marquinhos (Paris SG, 87) and Presnel Kimpembe (Paris SG, 83) meta, but the former can earn 22,500 coins. For a cheaper alternative, try Jason Denier (OL, 80).

Does the FIFA 22 meta midfielder feel love for Kante tonight?

FIFA 22

(Image courtesy of EA)

As always, pairing the strongest midfielders in the game is arguably the most expensive. N’golo Kante (CDM, Chelsea, 90) will return 57,000 coins at the time of this writing and Paul Pogba (CM, Manchester United, 87) will need another 22,000 large coins. Franck Kessie (CDM, Milan, 84) with 82 defense and 87 physicals is cheaper but still OP.

Overall, speed is at the heart of the meta, with a minimum of 4 star skill moves and 4 feet per week. Vinicius Jr. (LW, Real Madrid, 80) is a common pick with a 95 pace, 5-star SM and 4-star WF on the left. Ousmane Dembele (RW, Barcelona, 83) is similarly effective on the other side, providing a 93 pace and five-star WF and SM.

Top meta forwards for FIFA 22 include Werner and Vardy.

FIFA 22

(Image courtesy of EA)

Tired of playing against Timo Werner (ST, Chelsea, 84) online? So did I, at least until I packaged it up and realized it was worth the hype. A rating of 91 pace, 81 shooting and 82 dribbling makes him a forward meta card for FIFA 22 and he definitely feels OP. Reversing 5,500 coins in Germany is a good value at this point in the cycle.

EPL squads with two central strikers often pair Werner and Jamie Vardy (ST, Leicester, 86) but have to spend 14,000 on his card. Although it does not provide a green link to Werner, cheaper OP alternatives include Wissam Ben Yedder (ST, Monaco, 84), Joao Felix (CF, Atletico Madrid, 83), and Inaki Williams (ST, Athletic Bilbao, 81).

FIFA 22 meta formation

Two Powerful FIFA 22 Meta Formation Options You Should Try

FIFA 22

(Image courtesy of EA)

If you’re looking for a balanced but general OP approach, two settings stand out: 4-2-2-2 and 4-1-2-1-2(2).

Either way, you need two fullbacks at 90+ pace to support offense and return to defense, one forward must be fast (85+ pace) and the other strong (80+ physical).

The main difference between these two formations is in the midfield. The 4-2-2-2 is more powerful defensively as there are two holding players in front of the 4-2-2-2, but also needs width as the two CAMs drift wide to build offense.

4-1-2-1-2(2) is more suitable for those who like to play the ball in the middle of the park and shoot from inside and outside the box edge. The only CAM needs a strong shot, pass. And the dribbling stats that make this lineup a success.

For more effective strategies, check out GR’s FIFA 22 Formation Guide.

FIFA 22 Meta Tactics

This FIFA 22 custom meta tactic will help.

FIFA 22

(Image courtesy of EA)

After experimenting with various community proposals throughout the season, the 4-1-2-1-2(2) setup created by Reddit user FutureFC was the most successful in Division Rivals. The basics of this are explained below. Click this link for an analysis of each setting.

Defensive Style – Press after losing possession
Width – 45
Depth – 65
Game Build – /Balanced
Chance Creation – Direct Pass
Width – 45
Player in box – 5
Corner – 2 free
kick – 2

Player Instructions:

GK – Sweeper Keeper / For Club
CB – default
RB/LB – Delay/Duplicate
CDM – Fast Lane Cut/Rackback/Cover Center
LCM – Stand Back
RCM – no instructions
CAM – no instructions
Fastest ST – stay in the center / ride in the back
Strong ST – keep/mix

FIFA 22 Meta Squad

FIFA 22 Meta Squad Builder Recommendations

FIFA 22

(Image courtesy of EA)

Would you like to build an OP starter team that combines all of the above? Try this simple all-gold Ligue 1 squad and then keep building until you have enough money for PSG stars like Mbappe, Neymar and Messi. All prices are for PlayStation starting Thursday, April 7th.

TW: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris SG, 89) – 39,500 Coins
RV: Achraf Hakimi (Paris SG, 85) – 11,500 coins
CB: Presnel Kimpembe (Paris SG, 83) – 5,300 coins
CB: Jason Denier (OL, 80) – 1,300 coins
LB: Nuno Mendes (Paris SG, 78) – 700 coins
CDM: Renato Sanches (LOSC, 80) – 1,300 coins
LM: Jonathan Bamba (LOSC, 80) – 1,100 Coins
RM: Gelson Martins (Monaco, 78) – 1,000 coins
CAM: Georginio Wijnaldum (Paris SG, 84) – 6,000 coins
ST: Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco, 84) – 6,400 Coins
ST: Andy Delort (OGC Nice, 81) – 700 coins

More information

The best FIFA 22 meta players, tactics and formations

Proclaiming yourself a FIFA 22 meta player is rarely welcomed on social media – but it’s definitely a way to stay in regular Division Rivals and weekend league contention. Sweaty FIFA 22 cards and strategies are a difference maker online, and ahead you’ll find everything required to keep up with the masses on this front. We’ve got the sneakiest tactics, most successful formations and OP players – including an affordable-yet-strong Ligue 1 line-up – in your FIFA 22 meta guide.
FIFA 22 meta players
FIFA 22 meta goalkeepers include Pope and Donnarumma

(Image credit: EA)
Keepers are much improved this year, making them more reliable generally, but two factors in particular define their individual popularity: height (tall goalies are especially great on crosses, and shots towards the top corners) and the ‘saves with feet’ trait (which helps them to block close-range rebounds or one-on-ones).
As with FIFA 21, Nick Pope (Burnley, 83) is a wildly popular selection in this spot – he has the ‘saves with feet’ trait to go with his 6ft 6in frame, and can be snapped up for around 1,600 coins. Also beloved on the back of his Euro 2020 heroics is GIanluigi Donnarumma (Paris SG, 89). Italy’s king between the sticks is 6ft 5in and while he doesn’t have the ‘saves with feet’ trait, two others make him imperious on high balls and one-on-ones: ‘comes for crosses’ and ‘rushes out of goal’.
Speed is everything on the FIFA 22 meta defenders list

(Image credit: EA)
Pace, pace, pace. No matter how hard EA tries to tone down the effect of individual speed, it’s still the priority for most competitive FUT squads.
At full-back it means the fastest two gold cards are ones you encounter regularly online: Alphonso Davies (LB, FC Bayern, 82) has a blistering 97 pace rating, while Achraf Hakimi (RB, Paris SG, 85) boasts 95 in the same department. If Hakimi’s 11,500-coin price tag puts you off, try Ryan Fredericks (RB, West Ham, 76). He costs 1,300 coins and is serviceable in any sweaty all-EPL side.
80 is the magic number for pace where CBs are concerned, and it means that Eder Militao (Real Madrid, 82) stars among the list of central defensive possibilities. His base gold card offers 83 pace, 83 defending, and 82 physicality. Green links to Donnarumma and Hakimi also make Marquinhos (Paris SG, 87) and Presnel Kimpembe (Paris SG, 83) meta, although the former sets you back 22,500 coins. If you need a cheaper alternative, try Jason Denayer (OL, 80)
FIFA 22 meta midfielders ask Kante you feel the love tonight?

(Image credit: EA)
As ever, the most overpowered midfielder pairing in the game is arguably the most overpriced. N’golo Kante (CDM, Chelsea, 90) sets you back 57,000 coins at the time of writing, while Paul Pogba (CM, Manchester United, 87) requires a further 22,000 big ones. With ratings of 82 defending and 87 physicality, a cheaper – yet still OP – alternative is Franck Kessie (CDM, Milan, 84).
Out wide, speed is again key to the meta, alongside a minimum of four-star skill moves and four-star week foot. Vinicius Jr (LW, Real Madrid, 80) makes for a common choice on the left, with 95 pace, five-star SM, and four-star WF. Ousmane Dembele (RW, Barcelona, 83) is similarly effective on the opposite flank, offering 93 pace and five-star WF and SM.
The top FIFA 22 meta strikers include Werner and Vardy

(Image credit: EA)
Fed up of playing against Timo Werner (ST, Chelsea, 84) online yet? Me too, or at least I was until I packed him and realised he’s worth the hype. Ratings of 91 pace, 81 shooting and 82 dribbling make him FIFA 22’s most meta striker card, and he definitely feels OP. Dropping 5,500 coins on the German is good value at this point in the cycle.
EPL squads utilising two central strikers often pair Werner with Jamie Vardy (ST, Leicester, 86) – though you need to cough up 14K for his card. Although they don’t offer green links to Werner, more affordable OP alternatives include Wissam Ben Yedder (ST, Monaco, 84), Joao Felix (CF, Atletico Madrid, 83) and Inaki Williams (ST, Athletic Bilbao, 81).
FIFA 22 meta formations
Two strong FIFA 22 meta formation options you need to try

(Image credit: EA)
Two set-ups standout if you’re looking for a well-rounded yet generally OP approach: 4-2-2-2 and 4-1-2-1-2 (2).
In both cases you want two full-backs with 90+ pace in order to both support attacks and get back to defend, while one striker should be quick (85+ pace) and the other powerful (80+ physicality).
The key difference between these two formations is in the midfield. 4-2-2-2 offers more robustness defensively, as you have two holding players sitting in front of your back four – but there’s also width on offer, with the two CAMs drifting wide in order to build up attacks.
4-1-2-1-2 (2) is more suited to those who like to work the ball through the centre of the park, and get shots away from in and around the edge of the box – your lone CAM is going to need strong shooting, passing and dribbling stats in order to make this set-up prosper.
For additional effective strategies, leap on over to GR’s FIFA 22 formations guide.
FIFA 22 meta tactics
This custom FIFA 22 meta tactic will see you good

(Image credit: EA)
Having experimented with various community suggestions across the season, I’m having the most success in Division Rivals with a 4-1-2-1-2 (2) set-up created by Reddit user FutureFC. The basics of it are outlined below – click that link if you need a breakdown of what each individual setting does.
Defensive Style – Press after Possession Loss
Width – 45
Depth – 65
Build up Play – /Balanced
Chance Creation – Direct Passing
Width – 45
Players in box – 5
Corners – 2 Free
Kicks – 2
Player instructions:
GK – Sweeper Keeper / Comes for Crosses
CB – Default
RB/LB – Stay back / Overlap
CDM – Cut Passing Lanes / Stay Back / Cover Centre
LCM – Stay Back
RCM – No instructions
CAM – No instructions
Fastest ST – Stay Central / Get in Behind
Powerful ST – Stay Central / Mixed
FIFA 22 meta squad
Our FIFA 22 meta squad builder recommendation