Football Manager 2026 Player Roles

 

Football Manager 2026 Player Roles

In this post, I'm going to share the full descriptions of each role.

FM 2026 Player Roles with full descriptions

Goalkeeper
The Goalkeeper can distribute the ball in many ways depending on the team's playing strategy. They look to provide a measured balance between staying in goal and moving in an attempt to receive the ball.

Line-Holding Keeper
The Line-Holding Keeper is a Goalkeeper who primarily looks to stay within the confines of their own box, leaving the job of defending higher up the pitch to their teammates.

No-Nonsense Goalkeeper
The No-Nonsense Goalkeeper adopts a cautious approach, preferring to stay nearer to their goal and taking as few risks as possible with the ball at their feet when put under pressure.

Sweeper Keeper
The Sweeper Keeper is a proactive Goalkeeper, regularly looking to come off their line to intercept opposition passes or to engage opposition strikers early.

Ball Playing Goalkeeper
The Ball Playing Goalkeeper looks to play an active role in their team's build-up play, often moving out of their goal to be in a position to receive the ball. Requiring exceptional technical ability with the ball at their feet, the Ball Playing Goalkeeper looks to act as an additional outfield player at times in order to help their team play through an opposition press.

Centre-Back
The main job of the Centre-Back is to provide protection to the team, being in a position where they can be ready to react to attacking threats when the ball is turned over. However, especially for more aggressive tactics, they must also possess the composure to be able to help the team maintain possession and lay off simple passes to more creative players.

No-Nonsense Centre-Back
The main job of the No-Nonsense Centre-Back is to provide protection to the team, being in a position where they can be ready to react to attacking threats when the ball is turned over. With the ball they look to keep things simple. When put under pressure they will try their best to avoid giving the ball away in a dangerous position, instead being more willing to clear their lines or play a safer pass.

Covering Centre-Back
As a Cover, the Centre-Back is asked to adopt a more cautious approach, holding their line and waiting to react to the opposition attacker's movements.

Stopping Centre-Back
As a Stopper, the Centre-Back is asked to be more willing to step out from their position in order to hassle and engage opposition attackers, in an attempt to cut out attacks at source.

Ball Playing Centre-Back
The main job of the Ball-Playing Centre-Back is to provide protection to the team, being in a position where they can be ready to react to attacking threats when the ball is turned over. However, unlike standard central defenders, the Ball-Playing Defender is also encouraged to play line-breaking passes and through balls from deep to progress the ball. They also look to carry the ball forward when they have the opportunity to do so.

Overlapping Centre-Back
The main job of the Overlapping Centre-Back is to provide protection to the team, being in a position where they can be ready to react to attacking threats when the ball is turned over. However, in possession they are instructed to be more adventurous in attack, often getting in to crossing positions by making overlapping runs in the final third.

Advanced Centre-Back
The main job of the Advanced Centre-Back is to provide protection to the team, being in a position where they can be ready to react to attacking threats when the ball is turned over. However the Advanced Centre-Back is a specialist role, acting as a traditional central defender during deep build-up before then moving forward into a defensive midfield position as their team progresses play up the pitch. Because of this, the role requires exceptional technical and mental skills that you'd typically expect of a midfield player. It's also important to ensure the team has sufficient coverage at centre-back, typically through the use of an Inverted Full-Back.

Wide Centre-Back
The main job of the Wide Centre-Back is to provide protection to the team, being in a position where they can be ready to react to attacking threats when the ball is turned over. However, unlike standard central defenders the Wide Centre-Back is encouraged to provide width in possession and support to their wide attacking teammates ahead of them, often offering a recycling passing option from deep.

Covering Wide Centre-Back
As a Cover, the Wide Centre-Back is asked to adopt a more cautious approach, holding their line and waiting to react to the opposition attacker's movements.

Stopping Wide Centre-Back
As a Stopper, the Wide Centre-Back is asked to be more willing to step out from their position in order to hassle and engage opposition attackers, in an attempt to cut out attacks at source.

Full-Back
The Full-Back is a key player in modern football, having to supplement their traditional defensive duties with overlapping runs down the wing to support forward play and help attacks overload the final third. Although primarily a defensive player, they must be prepared to get forward when the team needs extra width.

Holding Full-Back
As a Holder, the Full-Back is asked to hold a deeper position while their team is defending higher up the pitch, in order to provide additional protection against direct attacks. As the team are pressing the opposition during the early phases of their attack, the player looks to remain in their position more, allowing their teammates to play more aggressively knowing there's protection behind them.

Inside Full-Back
The Inside Full-Back is a specialist role that moves to become an extra central defender during the attack. Often used by teams to provide additional protection against counter-attacks, the Inside Full-Back will initially position as a traditional Full-Back would during early build-up, before tucking inside to act as an additional Centre-Back as their team progresses play up the pitch.

Inverted Full-Back
The Inverted Full-Back is a specialist role that moves to become an extra central defender during the attack. Often used by teams to provide additional protection against counter-attacks, the Inverted Full-Back will initially position as a traditional Full-Back would during early build-up, before tucking inside to act as an additional Centre-Back as their team progresses play up the pitch.

Pressing Full-Back
As a Presser, the Full-Back is asked to actively engage opposition wide players high up the pitch to support the team's press. The player will often take up a higher starting position during early phases of the opposition attack in order to be in a better position to engage players ahead of them. Because of this higher positioning, it's important to ensure that there's enough defensive cover behind them from their teammates.

Wing-Back
The Wing-Back combines the responsibilities of a Full-Back and a Winger, providing width to the team throughout the attack. During deep build-up, the Wing-Back looks to position alongside the defence to offer a passing option. However as play progresses up the pitch they are expected to get forward to join the attack, often making supporting runs in the final third.

Holding Wing-Back
As a Holder, the Wing-Back is asked to hold a deeper position while their team is defending higher up the pitch, in order to provide additional protection against direct attacks. As the team are pressing the opposition during the early phases of their attack, the player looks to form part of the backline more, allowing their teammates to play more aggressively knowing there's protection behind them.

Inside Wing-Back
The Inside Wing-Back looks to move into central areas of the pitch as their team progresses the ball up the pitch to support central passing networks, as well as providing vital protection against central counter-attacks when the ball is turned over. Because of these central movements, the Inside Wing-Back will rarely be looking to make overlapping attacking runs or playing crosses in from near the byline. Instead looking to act more like a defensive midfield player.

Inverted Wing-Back
The Inverted Wing-Back looks to move into central areas of the pitch as their team progresses the ball up the pitch to support central passing networks, as well as providing vital protection against central counter-attacks when the ball is turned over. Because of these central movements, the Inverted Wing-Back will rarely be looking to make overlapping attacking runs or playing crosses in from near the byline. Instead looking to act more like a defensive midfield player.

Pressing Wing-Back
As a Presser, the Wing-Back is asked to aggressively engage opposition wide players high up the pitch to support the team's press. The player will often take up a higher starting position during early phases of the opposition attack in order to be in a better position to engage players ahead of them. Because of this higher positioning, it's important to ensure that there's enough defensive cover behind them from their teammates.

Playmaking Wing-Back
Similar to the Inverted Wing-Back, the Playmaking Wing-Back will look to move into central areas of the pitch to support central passing networks, as well as providing vital protection against central counter-attacks. However, the Playmaking Wing-Back is expected to act as a central hub of the team's passing play, playing progressive passes, through balls and dangerous crosses into the box. The Playmaking Wing-Back has much more empthasis to get on the ball and create chances, which means they require a very high level of technical ability in order to be effective in this role.

Advanced Wing-Back
The Advanced Wing-Back positions more aggressively than a traditional Wing-Back, looking to play high and wide as much as possible. As their team are building play from deep, the Advanced Wing-Back doesn't drop back alongside their defenders, instead positioning higher up the pitch more like a wide midfielder. As play progresses up the pitch they are expected to get forward to join the attack, often making supporting runs in the final third.

Defensive Midfielder
The Defensive Midfielder's main responsibility out of possession is position themselves in front of the team's defence and help protect them from attacking threats. In possession, the Defensive Midfielder aims to be the team's link between defence and attack, playing simple passes to help retain possession and to progress the play.

Dropping Defensive Midfielder
As a Dropper, the Defensive Midfielder will look to move back into the defensive line as their team are pinned back into their own defensive third, acting as an additional Centre-Back. During the earlier phases of the opposition attack, the player will act as a more traditional Defensive Midfielder.

Screening Defensive Midfielder
As a Screener, the Defensive Midfielder's main responsibility is to defend the space in front of their central defenders. They are less likely to leave their position to press the opposition, instead looking to protect their zone and block passing lanes.

Wide Covering Defensive Midfielder
As a Wide Cover, the Defensive Midfielder is asked to provide defensive support in wide areas, moving across from their typical position to help their team defend against wide threats. This means that when the opposition attack the flanks on their side, instead of protecting central areas more like a traditional Defensive Midfielder, the player will look to shift across and support their Full-Back, often doubling up on the opposition's wide attacking threats.

Half-Back
The Half Back is a defensive midfielder who looks to drop into their team's defensive line during build-up play to help progress the ball forward and provide defensive stability. A Half Back is typically used by teams with two central defenders, in order to ensure that they have three players in front of the opposition press when playing out of defence. The idea being that this makes the team more press-resistant, particularly against teams that press with a front 2. When used centrally, the Half Back will drop between their central defenders. However when used in side defensive midfield positions, the Half Back will drop to the side of their central defenders as either a RCB or LCB.

Pressing Defensive Midfielder
As a Presser, the Defensive Midfielder is tasked with stepping forward from their position to support the team's press high up the pitch. The player will often take up a higher starting position during early phases of the opposition attack in order to be in a better position to engage players ahead of them. Because of this higher positioning, it's important to ensure that there's enough defensive cover behind them from their teammates.

Deep-Lying Playmaker
The Deep-Lying Playmaker operates in the space between the defence and the midfield and aims to initiate attacking moves via pinpoint passes to players positioned higher up the pitch. Although primarily a creative player, the Deep-Lying Playmaker also has to be competent in the art of defence since they will often be one of the team's deepest midfield players when the ball is turned over in attack.

Central Midfielder
The Central Midfielder is responsible for providing an industrious and versatile link between the defence and the attack. Expected to perform a variety of tasks across the centre of the pitch, the Central Midfielder benefits from having the tactical awareness and technical ability to support both defensive and attacking play as needed.

Screening Central Midfielder
The Screening Central Midfielder tries not to be drawn out from their position too much, instead focusing on blocking passing lanes through the middle of the pitch.

Wide Covering Central Midfielder
As a Wide Cover, the Central Midfielder is asked to provide defensive support in wide areas, moving across from their typical position to help their team defend against wide threats. This means that when the opposition attack the flanks on their side, instead of protecting central areas more like a traditional Central Midfielder, the player will look to shift across and support their Full-Back, often doubling up on the opposition's wide attacking threats.

Box-to-Box Midfielder
The non-stop dynamism of the Box-to-Box Midfielder enables them to contribute greatly to both build-up and final-third attacking play. During build-up they position as a traditional defensive midfield player, offering passing options to help progress the play forwards. During latter phases of attack they surge forward to operate more like an attacking midfielder, arriving into the box to get on the end of crosses and pullbacks as well as providing a threat from the edge of the box. Because of the amount ground they are asked to cover in attack, the role requires exceptional work rate and energy levels.

Box-to-Box Playmaker
The Roaming Playmaker is the heartbeat of their team, looking to be a creative outlet from both deep and advanced areas of the pitch. When their team are building from the back, the Roaming Playmaker will drop deep and look to be the creative link between defence and attack, much like a Deep-Lying Playmaker. However, as the play progresses, the Roaming Playmaker will move up the pitch and look to be the team's creative spark in the final third, similar to an Advanced Playmaker would. Because of this, the Roaming Playmaker requires higher stamina levels than other playmaker roles in order to be able to cover the full length of the pitch.

Channel Midfielder
The Channel Midfielder looks to primarily make supporting runs into wide areas, often linking up with their team's wide attackers. The Channel Midfielder is encouraged to make attacking runs into the channels behind the opposition defence, looking to get into a dangerous crossing position and providing underlaps for their wide teammates.

Midfield Playmaker
The Midfield Playmaker operates as a creative link between defence and attack, looking to play progressive passes and killer balls to attacking teammates to initiate attacks for their team. During earlier phases of attack the Midfield Playmaker positions in central midfield, looking to receive progressive passes from their defenders and defensive midfielders. They then later look to push up into an attacking midfield position as their team enters the final-third.

Pressing Central Midfielder
As a Presser, the Central Midfielder is encouraged to step forward more often from their position to support the team's press higher up the pitch. The player will often take up a higher starting position during early phases of the opposition attack in order to be in a better position to engage players ahead of them. Because of this higher positioning, it's important to ensure that there's enough defensive cover behind them from their teammates.

Wide Midfielder
The Wide Midfielder is a wide player who tends to support the attack from deeper than a typical attacking wide player. Instead of looking to beat the opposition fullbacks to get the byline, the Wide Midfielder prefers to play dangerous passes and crosses from deep, trusting their technical ability more than their dribbling and pace.

Tracking Wide Midfielder
As a Tracker, the Wide Midfielder is instructed to track back defensively as the opposition advance into their own defensive third in order to support the defenders behind them, at times even dropping into the backline as an additional defender. The player is expected to actively support the team defensively against wide attacking threats.

Wide Central Midfielder
The Wide Central Midfielder is a supporting role typically utilised at the side of a midfield pairing or three, and is responsible for providing an industrious and versatile link between the defence and the attack. Wide Central Midfielders operate wider than traditional central midfield players, making themselves a better option for diagonal passes or switches in order to progress the play around the opposition press.

Wide Outlet Wide Midfielder
As a Wide Outlet, the Wide Midfielder is asked to avoid tracking back to help out the Full-Back behind them as much, instead looking to hold their position more in order to be in a dangerous position for a counter-attack when the ball turns over. Because they don't do as much defensive work, it's often important to ensure that the team aren't exposed on their flank e.g. by asking nearby midfielders to play a wide covering role to cover for them.

Attacking Midfielder
The Attacking Midfielder is an offensive role which looks to operate between the opposition defensive and midfield line, looking to receive passes in pockets of space as much as possible. Requiring excellent passing, dribbling and shooting abilities, their role is to constantly look to fashion chances for themselves and others in the final third.

Tracking Attacking Midfielder
As a Tracker, the Attacking Midfielder is instructed to track back defensively as the opposition advance into their own defensive third in order to support the defenders behind them, dropping back into a deeper defensive position. The player is expected to actively support the team defensively against central attacking threats.

Advanced Playmaker
The Advanced Playmaker is a creative role which looks to operate high up the pitch between the opposition's midfield and defence, looking to receive passes in pockets of space as much as possible. The Advanced Playmaker's job is primarily to create opportunities for their teammates to score, playing killer passes in the final third as much as possible.

Central Outlet Attacking Midfielder
As a Central Outlet, the Attacking Midfielder is asked to avoid tracking back to help out the defenders behind them as much, instead looking to hold their position more in order to be in a dangerous position for a counter-attack when the ball turns over. Because they don't do as much defensive work, it's often important to ensure that the team have enough defensive cover in central areas behind them to account for this.

Splitting Outlet Attacking Midfielder
As a Splitting Outlet, the Attacking Midfielder is asked to avoid tracking back to help out the defenders behind them as much, instead looking to hold a higher position more in order to be in a dangerous position for a counter-attack when the ball turns over. As the opposition progresses play, the player also looks to drift out into the channels. This allows them to start counter-attacks from wide, usually with the aim to exploit the space often not found in more central areas of the pitch.

Free Role
The player with a Free Role is given full creative license, allowing them to roam from their position to create attacking opportunities for their team, but also allowing them to take more risks with the ball in an attempt to create and score goals. Because of the freedom they're allowed, the Free Role is less likely to follow the team's explicit instructions and may break the team's structure at times. However their unpredictability and creativity can help to unlock defences for their team.

Winger
The Winger is expected to provide width throughout the attack, looking to stretch the opposition defence and attack from near the sidelines. The Winger aims to provide support to their team's forwards, playing dangerous passes and crosses in the final third in an attempt to create chances for their teammates. Due to their wide positioning, the Winger is often found in one-on-one situations against the opposition full-back which allows them to make effective use of their dribbling skills."

Half-Space Winger
The Half-Space Winger is a wide role that aims to frequently drift inside into the half-spaces as their team attacks to open up space for overlapping teammates and to receive the ball in more central areas of the pitch. The Half-Space Winger works best when combined with an attacking full-back or wing-back that looks to hug the sideline. Not only does the Half-Space Winger look to combine with an overlapping teammate, but they also look to provide dangerous passes and crosses themselves from closer to the box than a traditional winger.

Inside Winger
The Inside Winger is a wide role that aims to frequently drift inside into the half-spaces as their team attacks to open up space for overlapping teammates and to receive the ball in more central areas of the pitch. The Inside Winger works best when combined with an attacking full-back or wing-back that looks to hug the sideline. Not only does the Inside Winger look to combine with an overlapping teammate, but they also look to provide dangerous passes and crosses themselves from closer to the box than a traditional winger.

Inverting Outlet Winger
As an Inverting Outlet, the Winger is asked to avoid tracking back to help out the Full-Back behind them as much, instead looking to hold their position more in order to be in a dangerous position for a counter-attack when the ball turns over. As the opposition progresses play, the Inverting Outlet also looks to drift into central areas. This allows them to start counter-attacks from the half-spaces, usually with the aim to receive direct passes between the lines.

Tracking Winger
As a Tracker, the Winger is instructed to track back defensively as the opposition advance into their own defensive third in order to support the defenders behind them, at times even dropping into the backline as an additional defender. The player is expected to actively support the team defensively against wide attacking threats.

Wide Outlet Winger
As a Wide Outlet, the Winger is asked to avoid tracking back to help out the Full-Back behind them as much, instead looking to hold their position more in order to be in a dangerous position for a counter-attack when the ball turns over. Because they don't do as much defensive work, it's often important to ensure that the team aren't exposed on their flank e.g. by asking nearby midfielders to play a wide covering role to cover for them.

Wide Playmaker
The Wide Playmaker will act as the team's primary source of creativity, starting from a wide position during their team's build-up phase before later drifting inside to find space from which to play killer balls and create chances. Coming in from the wing allows the Wide Playmaker to escape the hustle and bustle of central midfield and can result in them finding open pockets of space in the half-spaces as they move inside.

Wide Forward
The Wide Forward is expected to provide width throughout the attack, looking to stretch the opposition defence and attack from near the sidelines. However the Wide Forward is also primarily an offensive role that looks to attack the box and make dangerous runs behind the opposition defence in the final third in order to get into a goalscoring position.

Inside Forward
The Inside Forward is a wide role that aims to frequently drift inside into the half-spaces as their team attacks to open up space for overlapping full-backs and to receive the ball in more central areas of the pitch. However the Inside Forward is also primarily an offensive role which looks to attack the spaces behind the opposition defence and get into goalscoring positions. The Inside Forward works best when combined with an attacking full-back or wing-back that looks to hug the sideline.

False Nine
The False Nine is an unconventional centre-forward who regularly drops between the lines, looking to act similarly to an Advanced Playmaker for their team. The purpose of this is that it creates a problem for opposing central defenders who can either follow them - leaving space behind them for onrushing midfielders, forwards or wingers to exploit - or leave them to have time and space to dribble or pick out a pass. Because of these movements it's often important to pair a False Nine with teammates who regularly look to make runs into goalscoring positions, such as a Second Striker, Half-Space Forward or Wide Forward.

Deep-Lying Forward
The Deep-Lying Forward's main function is to link the attack to the midfield. They aim to drop between the lines to receive passes from deep before supplying linking passes to teammates, moving the ball back to midfield support, spreading it wide to the flanks or, if they have time to turn, playing in their strike partner.

Half-Space Forward
The Half-Space Forward is a wide role that aims to frequently drift inside into the half-spaces as their team attacks to open up space for overlapping full-backs and to receive the ball in more central areas of the pitch. However the Half-Space Forward is also primarily an offensive role which looks to attack the spaces behind the opposition defence and get into goalscoring positions. The Half-Space Forward works best when combined with an attacking full-back or wing-back that looks to hug the sideline.

Second Striker
The Second Striker operates as one of the team's main goalscoring threats. In early phases of attack, the Second Striker positions between the opposition midfield and defence in pockets of space. But as play progresses up the pitch, they aggressively push up into the forward line in order to get into goalscoring positions as the ball moves into the final third. As the name implies, the Second Striker is most commonly utilised in formations with a lone forward.

Channel Forward
The Channel Forward is a high-energy role that looks to constantly be a thorn in defender's sides, regularly making supporting runs into the channels for their team. When their team are attacking, the Channel Forward looks to be a constant runner for their team, offering for direct balls down the channels or in behind, using their pace and tenacity to test the opposition defence.

Centre Forward
The Centre Forward, also typically known as the classic 'Number 9' is expected to lead the line and look to spearhead attacking moves. Their primary duty is to be the focal point of attacking moves and they are required to both score and create goals for their team.

Central Outlet Centre Forward
As a Central Outlet, the Centre Forward is asked to avoid tracking back to help out the defenders behind them as much, instead looking to hold their position more in order to be in a dangerous position for a counter-attack when the ball turns over. Because they don't do as much defensive work, it's often important to ensure that the team have enough defensive cover in central areas behind them to account for this.

Splitting Outlet Centre Forward
As a Splitting Outlet, the Centre Forward is asked to avoid tracking back to help out the defenders behind them as much, instead looking to hold a higher position more in order to be in a dangerous position for a counter-attack when the ball turns over. As the opposition progresses play, the player also looks to drift out into the channels. This allows them to start counter-attacks from wide, usually with the aim to exploit the space often not found in more central areas of the pitch.

Tracking Centre Forward
As a Tracker, the Centre Forward is instructed to track back defensively as the opposition advance into their own defensive third in order to support the midfielders behind them, dropping back into a deeper defensive position. The player is expected to actively support the team defensively against central attacking threats.

Target Forward
A Target Forward looks to use their physicality and height to disrupt the opposition's defence and create goalscoring opportunities for their team. During their team's build-up phase they look to be an outlet, often the target of longer passes and clearances that they can knock down, flick on or lay off to their surrounding teammates. In the final third they look to get on the end of crosses into the box, using their aerial prowess to be a goalscoring threat.

Poacher
The Poacher sits on the shoulder of the last defender looking to break the defensive line and run onto through balls from midfield. Requiring excellent off the ball movement, the Poacher is expected to be the team's main source of goals. Their focus on scoring goals is so extreme that they rarely offer much help in constructing moves or linking play, preferring instead to remain central and sniff out opportunities in and around the box.