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 strong EA Sports FC 24 Ultimate 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 players
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 three FC 24 PlayStyles – Footwork, Cross Claimer, and Rush Out – and imperious height at 6ft 6in. Shell out 2,100 coins for him, right away.
Frimpong and Upamecano are your FC 24 meta defenders
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 the FC 24 best kits list, too.
FC 24 meta midfielders are all about Camavinga
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.
Kolo Muani tops the FC 24 meta strikers list
The deadliest players on the FC 24 ratings list 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.
FC 24 meta formations
Two FC 24 meta formation options you need to try
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 our FC 24 formations guide.
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.
FC 24 meta tactics
The best custom FC 24 meta tactics
You’re going to see a lot of 4-2-3-1 in the ongoing FC 24 FC Pro Live tournament, 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 player Ovidiu Patrascu. Give it a go, then tweak to fit your approach.
- Defensive Style - Balanced
- Width - 47
- Depth - 71
- Build up Play - Balanced
- Chance Creation - Direct Passing
- Width - 55
- Players in box - 6
- Corners -2
- Free Kicks - 2
Player instructions (leave default unless listed here):
- RB - Stay Back While Attacking / Overlap
- LB - Stay Back While Attacking / Overlap
- CDM1 - Stay Back While Attacking / Cover Center
- CDM2 - Stay Back While Attacking / Cover Center
- RM - Come Back On Defence / Cut Inside
- LM - Come Back On Defence / Stay Wide
- CAM - Free Roam
FC 24 meta squad
Our FC 24 meta squad builder recommendation
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.
- GK: Nick Pope (Newcastle United, 84) – 2,100 coins
- RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United, 80) – 700 coins
- CB: William Saliba (Arsenal, 83) – 7,500 coins
- CB: John Stones (Manchester City, 85) – 6,300 coins
- LB: Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur, 78) – 700 coins
- CDM: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United, 83) – 2,900 coins
- CDM: Palhinha (Fulham, 82) – 900 coins
- RM: Moussa Diaby (Aston Villa 84) – 2,200 coins
- LM: Raheem Sterling (Chelsea, 83) – 900 coins
- CAM: Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool, 82) – 800 coins
- ST: Darwin Nunez (Liverpool, 82) – 750 coins
