Football Manager 2026 has introduced one of the most highly requested features in franchise history, and a feature that can revolutionize the game. We are talking about In Possession and Out of Possession tactics, which Sports Interactive has confirmed will be in FM 26.
This addition marks a huge milestone for the game and its fans. Not only does it add an extra layer of realism and immersion, but it also significantly changes how the game is played, giving players even more control over their tactics and how the players behave on the field.
So, without further ado, let's find out everything about the In Possession and Out of Possession tactics in FM 26.
Dual Formations: Attacking and Defending Flexibility
For the first time in Football Manager, you'll be able to assign two different shapes to your side:
- In Possession Formation: How your team sets up with the ball.
- Out of Possession Formation: How your team looks defensively.
This addition better reflects how teams behave on the field, as in modern football, most teams have tactical variations when attacking and defending. Teams shape up differently when they have the ball and when they don't, to be more solid defensively, to exploit weaknesses in their opponents' formation, and to be able to implement their style of football when on the ball.
A team playing a 4-3-3 while attacking can seamlessly transition into a 4-1-4-1 when defending, becoming more compact and harder for opponents to break down. At the same time, it can opt for a more risky 4-2-4 when in possession, especially if they desperately need a goal.
Players are free and encouraged to experiment with risky combinations. Backroom staff will warn you if your choices stretch realism, but the final decision will always be yours.
A Redesigned Tactics Menu
To support these changes, the Tactics menu has been redesigned with four views:
- In Possession
- Out of Possession
- Both (side-by-side comparison)
- Combined (average positioning across phases)
The Combined view allows you to make personal changes that apply to both formations, while the Both view makes it easy to compare defensive and attacking shapes.
The Visualiser: Tactics Brought to Life
Managers can now precisely see how roles and formations work in the various thirds of the pitch thanks to a feature called the Visualizer. It illustrates half positioning changes as the ball advances by splitting the field into nine zones.
Examples include:
- Inside Wing-Backs drifting into midfield as attacks build.
- Pressing Midfielders stepping higher to trigger a press.
- You get a realistic sneak peek at performance in games because it's driven by training scenarios.
Player Roles Reworked
FM 26 is also reshaping how player roles function. Some long-standing roles, including the Mezzala, Enganche, and Trequartista, are gone. Others have been renamed or refined.
Brand-new roles have been added, including:
- No-Nonsense Goalkeeper
- Ball-Playing Goalkeeper
- Overlapping Centre-Back
- Playmaking Wing-Back
- Advanced Wing-Back
- Midfield Playmaker
- Wide Central Midfielder
- Wide Forward
- Channel Forward
For the first time, Out of Possession roles also dictate how players behave when defending in different systems. Every role uses FM's traditional five-star suitability ratings and integrates with scouting reports.
Match Engine and Instruction Upgrades
The tactical overhaul is backed by significant match engine improvements:
- Passing: Smarter risk assessment for more incisive line-breaking passes.
- Dribbling: More variation, smoother animations, and wingers naturally cutting inside from the wings.
- Defending: Improved interceptions, better pressing forms, and more trustworthy goalie judgment.
Meanwhile, Team Instructions have been redesigned with a phase-specific layout that is more visually appealing. For more efficient analysis and modifications, managers may link instructions straight to the Data Hub.
A Step Toward Modern Football
In recent years, analysis has advanced quickly, and phrases like "rest defense" and "pushing triggers" are now widely used. By finally offering players the means to mimic the real-world operations of elite clubs, FM 26 embraces this with tactical language.
With dual formations, revamped roles, and smarter match intelligence, FM 26 is shaping up to be the most tactically flexible entry in the series yet.
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