Football Manager 2026 Player Roles

Tactical Overhaul or Terminology Overhaul?

Football Manager 2026 just might turn out to be the most tactically innovative version to date. Thanks to a leak found by Smiteras and shared on the Sports Interactive Forums (the post somehow vanished 2 days later), we now get to see what could be player roles completely reimagined.

FM26 isn’t just tweaking tactics, it’s flipping the whole playbook over. If the leak is true, we're in for a tactical playground like never before. If you've spent more hours than you'd like to admit tweaking roles in FM, this new set of player instructions would have to be like Christmas morning.

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Whether it’s a full rewrite or a smart rewording, one thing’s for sure: your tactics are about to get a severe shake-up. Well, it could be a bit of both actually; reconfiguring the role system but also streamlining it for clarity and on-boarding. Either way, it's quite exciting.

The Leak: What Happened?

A hidden translation file spotted on FMDB revealed over 40 new or renamed player roles for FM26. From keepers to strikers, nearly every role has been changed; some imperceptibly and others radically.

The leak appears real, and although SI hasn’t yet confirmed it (Smiteras' disappearing post might just be that), the numbers and consistency of the roles suggest this is more than rumour.

Football Manager 26 News

FM26 Player Roles Guide

Football Manager 2026 is revamping the tactical playbook.With the leaked file, we can now see detailed descriptions of every role in the game, some of which are new to the playbook.

No matter whether you want to press, defend, or build, FM26 offers you more tools than ever before to build systems that embrace the fluidity and sophistication of modern-day football. It gives you the freedom to build systems that are attack-minded, reactive, or utterly unconventional.

Or at least in theory; it remains to be seen once the game is out.

In this article, I'm breaking down the information in a more intuitive way using a brief description and an indication of whether the role is new or not. Followed by tactical insights, role comparisons and what combos would be fun to try when FM26 comes out.

Let’s dive in!

FM 26 Goalkeeper Roles

Role	Description	New?
Goalkeeper	Balanced role, distributes according to team strategy	No
Line-Holding Keeper	Remains in the box, avoids field play beyond the box	✓ Yes
No-Nonsense GK	Plays safe, avoids risky passes	✓ Yes
Sweeper Keeper	Actively intercepts and challenges attackers	No
Ball-Playing GK	Engages in build-up play, plays like an outfield player	No

FM2026 Centre-Back Roles

Role	Description	New?
Centre-Back	Balanced defender who assists in gaining possession	No
No-Nonsense CB	Clears danger, avoids risky passes	No
Covering CB	Holds line, reacts to attackers	No
Stopping CB	Steps out to challenge attackers early	No
Ball-Playing CB	Sends line-breaking passes, drives ball forward	No
Overlapping CB	Joins attack, overlaps to wide areas	No
Advanced CB	Breaks into DM role in build-up	✓ Yes
Wide CB	Provides width and recycling options	No
Covering Wide CB	Holds the line, cautious positioning	No
Stopping Wide CB	Challenges attackers early, aggressive	No

FM 2026 Full-Back Roles

Role	Description	New?
Full-Back	Balanced role, supports attack with overlaps	No
Holding Full-Back	Stays deeper while team presses	✓ Yes
Inside Full-Back	Tucked behind CB line for build-up	✓ Yes
Inverted Full-Back	Moves up to support midfield	No
Pressing Full-Back	Supports high up the pitch and assists press	✓ Yes

FM26 Wing-Back Roles

Role	Description	New?
Wing-Back	Combines Full-Back and Winger duties; overlaps and supports attacks	No
Holding Wing-Back	Stays deeper while team presses; takes up some of backline	✓ Yes
Inside Wing-Back	Shuttles between center to support passing and counter-defend	✓ Yes
Inverted Wing-Back	Similar to Inside WB; plays like a defensive midfielder	No
Pressing Wing-Back	Presses wide players high up the pitch; supports pressing systems	✓ Yes
Playmaking Wing-Back	Central hub of passing play; creates attacking chances with through balls and crosses	✓ Yes
Advanced Wing-Back	Springs high and wide; plays like a wide midfielder	✓ Yes

FM 26 Defensive Midfield Roles

Role	Description	New?
Defensive Midfielder	Shields defense, strings play along with simple passes	No
Dropping DM	Goes back into backline when under pressure	✓ Yes
Screening DM	Stands in the central zone, cutting off passing lanes	✓ Yes
Wide Covering DM	Shifts wide to assist fullbacks	✓ Yes
Half-Back	Drops between CBs during build-up	No
Pressing DM	Moves forward to press high	✓ Yes
Deep-Lying Playmaker	Begins attacks deep with pin-point passes	No

FM2026 Central Midfield Roles

Role	Description	New?
Central Midfielder	Balanced role, supports both defense and attack	No
Screening CM	Blocks central zone, cuts off passing lanes	✓ Yes
Wide Covering CM	Shifts wide to give defensive protection to flanks	✓ Yes
Box-to-Box Midfielder	Covers entire pitch, arrives late in attack	No
Box-to-Box Playmaker	Creative presence, drops deep and pushes forward	✓ Yes
Channel Midfielder	Makes underlapping runs into wide channels	✓ Yes
Midfield Playmaker	Creative link, switches into AM role	✓ Yes
Pressing CM	Steps up to press high	✓ Yes

FM 2026 Wide Midfield Roles

Role	Description	New?
Wide Midfielder	Plays deeper, delivers crosses from wide	No
Tracking Wide Midfielder	Drops deep to defend	✓ Yes
Wide Central Midfielder	Operates wide in midfield trio, helps build-up	✓ Yes
Wide Outlet Midfielder	Stays high while avoiding defensive duties	✓ Yes

FM26 Attacking Midfielder Roles

Role	Description	New?
Attacking Midfielder	Works between lines, creates space	No
Tracking AM	Drops deep to help defend	✓ Yes
Advanced Playmaker	Creates in high central areas	No
Central Outlet AM	Remains high while avoiding defensive duties	✓ Yes
Splitting Outlet AM	Remains high and goes wide for counters	✓ Yes
Free Role	Roams creatively, disrupts shape	✓ Yes

FM 26 Winger Roles

Role	Description	New?
Winger	Stretches play, delivers crosses	No
Half-Space Winger	Moves inwards with the overlapping fullbacks	✓ Yes
Inside Winger	Similar to Half-Space Winger, central movement	✓ Yes
Inverting Outlet Winger	Stays high, moves inward for counters	✓ Yes
Tracking Winger	Drops deep for defensive cover	✓ Yes
Wide Outlet Winger	Stays high, does not engage in defense	✓ Yes
Wide Playmaker	Starts wide, drifts inside to create	✓ Yes
Wide Forward	Wide attacker making runs into the box	✓ Yes
Inside Forward	Cuts inside to attack central spaces	No

FM2026 Striker Roles

Role	Description	New?
False Nine	Drops deep, creates space and chances	No
Deep-Lying Forward	Connects midfield and attack, distributes play	No
Half-Space Forward	Wide attacker who cuts in to score	✓ Yes
Second Striker	Drops deep in space early, runs up to score	✓ Yes
Channel Forward	High-energy runner into wide channels	✓ Yes
Centre Forward	Classic No. 9, leads the line	No
Central Outlet CF	Remains high, avoids defensive work	✓ Yes
Splitting Outlet CF	Remains high and drifts wide for counters	✓ Yes
Tracking CF	Drops deep to assist in defense	✓ Yes
Target Forward	Physical presence, aerial threat	No
Poacher	Remains in the centre, looks to score	No

FM 2026 Role Comparisons & Tactical Insights

• Inside vs Inverted Wing-Back: Functionally the same, the roles may differ depending on formation or set-piece tactics. Both play like Defensive Midfielders, with the Inside WB more passive in its approach while the Inverted WB is proactive in its support during build-up.


• Playmaking Wing-Back vs Inverted WB: Playmaking WB is more attacking and creative, being concerned with initiating attacks and delivering final balls. It's an on-steroids Trent Alexander-Arnold type of role.


• Advanced Wing-Back vs Classic WB: The Advanced WB doesn't drop deep in build-up. Instead, they stay high and wide to provide width and attacking intent right from the start; just the sort of player that would thrive in a possession-based or asymmetric system.


• Pressing Wing-Back vs Pressing Full-Back: Both roles maintain high pressing and are equally applicable from a backward zone perspective, but the Wing-Back is supposedly better for gegenpressing or 3-4-3 attacking teams.


• False Nine vs Deep-Lying Forward: Both drop deep, but the False Nine is creative and difficult to mark, while the DLF systematically links play.


• Half-Space Forward vs Inside Forward: The Half-Space Forward usually starts from a wider position and moves inward, making this type of attacker perfect for overlapping fullback systems. Generally, a more goal-oriented version of the Inside Forward.


• Second Striker vs Trequartista: Second Striker is more direct and focused on scoring goals, while the Trequartista (now moved to being perhaps combined with Free Role AM) was passive and knew how to create.


• Channel Forward vs Poacher: Channel Forward is agile and disruptive, pressing wide areas. The Poacher, on its part, remains central and waits for opportunities.


• Outlet Roles (Central/Splitting) vs Tracking CF: Outlet roles prefer counter-attacking positioning, while the Tracking CF is better utilized to give defensive security; therefore, they would suit onto pressing ones.

What we know about FM26

What Should You Try First?

Some spicy combinations to try out upon FM26 release:

• 3-4-3 with Advanced Wing-Backs + Overlapping CBs for flanking overloads, stretching opponents with unforgiving wide runs.


• 4-2-3-1 with Playmaking Wing-Backs + Inside Wingers for the run-throughs of fullbacks as Inside Forwards cut in to finish centrally.


• 5-3-2 with Holding Wing-Backs + Advanced CBs for sound defensive structure and smooth transition into midfield control.


• 3-4-3 with Playmaking Wing-Back + Advanced CB for total football sensations.


• Pressing Fullback + Half-Space Winger to impose frantic pressure onto wide zones.


• 4-3-3 with Box-to-Box Playmaker + Channel Midfielder for vertical mobility and wide overload through dynamic midfield runs.


• 3-4-3 with Wide Covering DM + Wide Outlet Midfielder for balanced defensive coverage and forceful counter-attacks.


• 4-2-3-1 with Midfield Playmaker + Pressing CM to maintain control of the center while making sure the opponent finds it tough to build-up.


• 4-2-3-1 with Free Role AM + Wide Playmaker to feature breezy creativity from wide and central positions: suitable for possession-based systems.


• 4-3-3 with Half-Space Winger + Overlapping Wing-Back for layered wide attacks through inside movement and overlapping runs.


• 3-4-3 with Splitting Outlet AM + Wide Forward to attack flanks and stretch defenses with aggressive counter-attacking systems.


• 4-4-2 with Channel Forward + Second Striker to stretch the defenses and take advantage of the space with relentless movement.


• 4-2-3-1 with False Nine + Wide Forward to create space in the middle as wide players attack the box.


• 3-4-3 with Splitting Outlet CF + Half-Space Forward to build a mobile front line that drifts, presses, and counters with precision.


• 4-2-3-1 with Channel Forward + Free Role AM for chaos and creativity.

What Does It All Mean?

Simplification or Expansion? Some of the more far-out FM roles (Mezzala, Segundo Volante, Enganche) seem to be renamed or merged. There must be an effort to simplify roles for new users.

Tactical Depth: Roles such as Pressing Fullback and Playmaking Wing-Back are a sign that FM26 will indicate pressing squads to be increasingly positional and around creative ideas.

Storytelling Potential: The roles of Central Outlet AM and Wide Outlet Winger suggest more narratively driven styles; players with particular personalities and responsibilities.

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If this leak is legit, FM26 is going to be a tactical sandbox unlike anything we've seen before.

With these new roles, Football Manager 26 is facilitating managers to create systems revolving around tactical innovations from real life. Whether it be in the shape of recreating Guardiola, Klopp, or De Zerbi, the options are endless.

Which role can't you wait to build around?
Let's talk tactics.

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