FM26 OOP Player Roles Guide - Football Manager 2026 Out Of Possession Player Roles
Get hints and tips on all the new out of possession player roles in Football Manager 26.
Click on each image to see a more detailed guide fore each FM26 role and share your comments.
[GK] Sweeper Keeper
- Positions higher to sweep up through balls and long passes.
- Adjusts along the line of the ball without straying too wide.
- Uses aggressive movement to intercept with optimal timing and angle.
[DR⧸L] Holding Full-Back
- Holds position and stays narrow to support the centre-back.
- Engages late, usually to stop crosses or delay attacks.
[DC] Stopping Centre-Back
- Steps out from the line to press or intercept.
- More aggressive than a standard or covering centre-back.
- Works best in the middle of a back three for added protection.
[DC] Covering Centre-Back
- Holds position to cover defensive partners rather than stepping out.
- More cautious and less exposed than a standard centre-back.
- Provides backup for centre-backs and nearby full-backs or wing-backs.
[DCR⧸DCL] Stopping Wide Centre-Back
- Steps out aggressively to press or intercept in wide central areas.
- Has more freedom to leave the defensive line than in a back four.
- Often presses AMCL/AMCR players on their side when unmarked.
[WBR⧸L] Pressing Wing-Back
- Presses aggressively wide player up the field
- Marks wide player in defensive third
[WBR⧸L] Holding Wing-Back
- Holds position to protect the back line instead of pressing.
- Sits in line with the centre-backs in the defensive third.
- Engages late, usually to stop crosses or delay attacks.
[DM] Pressing Defensive Midfielder
- Steps out aggressively, sacrificing deep cover.
- In a double pivot, pushes higher than the partner (shape can resemble 4-3-3).
- Standard Defensive Midfielder in defensive third
[DM] Dropping Defensive Midfielder
- Drops into defence to cover gaps when full-backs push out.
- Becomes a temporary centre-back in deeper phases.
- Adjusts position based on shape: left, central, or between defenders.
[DM] Screening Defensive Midfielder
- Holds position to block central passes and protect the back line.
- Rarely presses unless the opponent is close.
- Stays central as a lone DM; shifts slightly wider in a pair without engaging.
[DM] Wide Covering Defensive Midfielder
- Supports full-backs defensively when no winger tracks back.
- Doubles up against wide threats to prevent overloads.
- Can leave central gaps when drawn out wide.
[CM] Pressing Central Midfielder
- Presses aggressively up the field
- Always tries to find someone to press ahead of him
- Standard Central Midfielder in defensive third
[CM] Screening Central Midfielder
- Holds position to screen passes and make interceptions.
- Stays narrow to protect the area ahead of the back line.
- Moves slightly into half-spaces in a pair, without pressing.
[CM] Wide Covering Central Midfielder
- Supports full-back in wide areas when no winger tracks back.
- Doubles up defensively against wide threats.
[MR⧸L] Tracking Wide Midfielder
- Drops back to support the full-back and cover wide threats
- Doubles up defensively when the ball is on their side
[MR⧸L] Wide Outlet Wide Midfielder
- Stays High
- Doesn’t waste energy with defensive duties
- Standard Wide Midfielder in opponent’s half
[AMR⧸L] Wide Outlet Winger
- Stays High
- Doesn’t waste energy with defensive duties
- Standard Winger in opponent’s half
[AMR⧸L] Tracking Winger
- Drops back to support the full-back and cover wide threats
- Doubles up defensively when the ball is on their side
[AMR⧸L] Inside Outlet Winger
- Holds high position for counters, minimal defending.
- Drifts inside into half-spaces to receive passes between the lines.
- Functions like a normal wide player in the opponent’s half.
[AMC] Splitting Outlet Attacking Midfielder
- Holds higher position for counter-attacks, drifting into channels.
- Finds space out wide to start quick transitions.
- Function as a normal Attacking Midfielder in the opponent’s half.
[AMC] Tracking Attacking Midfielder
- Drops back to track runners and protect central areas.
- Helps form a compact midfield unit ahead of the defence.
- Supports the press like a normal attacking midfielder in attack.
[SC] Tracking Centre Forward
- Protects central space all over the pitch
- Doesn’t engage opponents defence
[SC] Splitting Outlet Centre Forward
- Holds high to threaten on the counter.
- Drifts into channels to exploit space during transitions.
- Stays central without tracking wide players in defence.