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A formation in football is how a team lines up its ten outfield players, counted from defense to attack. A 4-3-3, for example, means four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.
Here is every football formation you can build in Create Formation. Read how the most popular ones work, then open any of them in the lineup builder and add your players with real photos.
The 4-4-2 is the classic football formation: two banks of four with two strikers up front.
The 4-2-3-1 uses two holding midfielders to protect the defense, with three attacking midfielders behind one striker.
The 3-5-2 uses three centre-backs, two wing-backs and three central midfielders behind a strike partnership.
The 3-4-3 puts three centre-backs behind a midfield four and a front three.
The 5-3-2 is a defensive formation with five defenders, three central midfielders and two strikers.
The 4-1-4-1 places a single holding midfielder between the back four and a midfield four, with one striker up front.
The Christmas tree: two inside forwards behind a lone striker. Carlo Ancelotti's AC Milan won the 2007 Champions League with it.
A 4-4-2 where one striker drops deeper to link midfield and attack.
The diamond: a holding midfielder, two shuttlers and a number 10 behind two strikers.
Three central midfielders and a number 10 supporting a strike partnership.
Two holding midfielders and two attacking midfielders behind two strikers. A favourite in Brazilian football.
Five midfielders behind a lone striker, built to control the middle and stay compact.
A back three with two inside forwards behind one striker. Chelsea won the 2021 Champions League in this shape.
A back three and wing-backs, with a number 10 behind two strikers.
A back five with a number 10 behind a strike partnership.
A back five with two wide forwards supporting a lone striker.