I’ve lost count of how many ranked eFootball matches I was dominating, only to throw the win because I stuck to my default 4-3-3 formation when the opponent switched to a counter-heavy 5-2-3. It took me three straight demotions to realize that knowing how to change formation in eFootball is just as important as having good dribbling or defending skills. Whether you’re playing casual matches with friends or grinding for the top division in Ranked Mode, being able to tweak your setup mid-match can turn a sure loss into a last-minute win. This guide breaks down every step you need to know, plus common mistakes to avoid so you don’t waste your squad’s potential.
How to Change Formation in eFootball for Pre-Match and Mid-Game
The process for adjusting your formation changes slightly depending on if you’re still in the pre-match setup or already in the middle of a game. For pre-match changes, head to the Tactics tab in the team setup menu, select “Formation”, and scroll through the preset options or load your own custom setup. You can tweak player positions, assign roles, and adjust custom instructions here without any time limits, so it’s best to do most of your testing before you queue up for a match.
Mid-game changes are a little trickier, since you can only pause to adjust tactics during a dead ball situation like a goal kick, throw-in, or after a goal is scored. On console, press the pause button, navigate to Tactics, select Formation, and pick your new setup before resuming play. On mobile, tap the tactics icon in the top right corner of the screen, then select the formation option to make your change. You only have 30 seconds to make mid-game tactical changes in ranked mode, so don’t waste time scrolling through options you don’t use.
It’s also worth noting that any formation changes you make mid-game will only apply to that specific match. If you want to keep the setup for future games, you’ll need to save it as a custom preset in the main team menu after the match ends. Don’t forget to test it out in a friendly match first to make sure it fits your squad’s strengths.
Best Formation Swaps for Common In-Match Scenarios
Changing your formation for no reason will do more harm than good, but there are specific situations where a quick swap can completely shift the momentum of the match. Knowing how to change formation in eFootball to fit the situation is a skill that separates top 100 players from the rest of the pack. I keep three preset formations saved for every squad I use, so I can switch in seconds without having to adjust individual settings. The right swap depends entirely on what’s happening on the pitch, and you don’t need to have a full team of 5-star players to make them work.
- If your opponent spams long balls over the top, switch to a 5-defender formation with two deep-lying center backs to cut out through passes before they reach their strikers. You’ll give up a little width in attack, but you’ll eliminate 90% of their goal-scoring chances right away.
- If you’re dominating possession but can’t create clear chances, swap to a formation with two attacking wingers and a false 9 to pull defenders out of position. This works especially well if you have fast wingers with good crossing stats, as they’ll be able to get behind the opposition’s full backs easily.
- If you’re holding a 1-goal lead in the final 10 minutes, shift to a defensive 4-2-3-1 narrow formation to clog passing lanes in the midfield. This setup limits space between your lines, so your opponent won’t be able to play quick tiki-taka passes through your defense.
You don’t have to stick to these exact formations, either. If you prefer a 3-5-2 over a 4-3-3 for attacking play, use that instead. The key is to pick setups that fit the players you have on your squad. For example, if you have a tall, physical striker with great heading stats, a formation with wingers will always work better than a narrow false 9 setup.
One thing I learned the hard way is that you should always give your new formation 5-10 minutes of game time to work. Don’t switch again after 2 minutes just because you don’t score immediately. Your players need a little time to adjust to their new positions and roles, especially if you’re moving them far from their preferred spot.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Switching eFootball Formations
Even if you follow all the steps for changing your formation correctly, small mistakes can cost you the match. I’ve made almost all of these at some point during my time playing eFootball, so I can tell you exactly what to watch out for. Most of these mistakes happen when you’re rushing to make a change mid-game, so take an extra second to double-check your setup before resuming play.
The most common mistake I see is players switching to a formation that their squad isn’t built for. For example, if you have three attacking full backs on your team, switching to a 5-defender formation will leave you exposed at the back, since those full backs will push forward instead of staying back to defend. Always check that your players are compatible with your new formation before you confirm the change. If a player has a red exclamation mark next to their position, that means they’re far from their preferred role and will perform worse.
Another big mistake is forgetting to adjust your custom instructions when you change formation. If you switch to a defensive formation to hold a lead, but you still have your full backs set to “Join Attack” and your midfielders set to “Forward Runs”, your team will still push forward and leave gaps at the back. You don’t have to adjust every single instruction, but make sure the core ones match the style of your new formation.
Never switch to an ultra-attacking formation right after you concede a goal. It’s normal to feel frustrated and want to score right away, but your players will be on low morale and out of position, so you’ll almost certainly concede another goal before you can create a chance of your own. Wait 2-3 minutes for your team to settle back into the game before you make any big tactical changes.
How to Save Custom Formations for Quick In-Game Swaps
Spending 2 minutes scrolling through preset formations mid-game is a waste of your limited time, so saving custom presets is the best way to make fast, effective changes. You can save up to 3 custom formation presets per squad, which is more than enough for most players. I recommend saving one attacking, one balanced, and one defensive preset so you can adapt to any situation.
To save a custom formation, head to the main Team Management menu, select Tactics, then adjust the formation, player roles, and custom instructions to your preference. Once you’re happy with the setup, select “Save Preset” and assign it to one of the three slots. You can edit or overwrite these presets at any time, so don’t be afraid to tweak them as you get new players or change your playstyle.
Save separate presets for different game modes if you play both ranked and co-op matches. The formation you use for solo ranked play won’t work as well for co-op, since you’ll have other players controlling parts of the team. For co-op, I recommend using a more balanced formation that lets all players contribute to both attack and defense.
It’s a good idea to test your custom presets in friendly matches against the AI or friends before you use them in ranked play. This lets you work out any kinks, like players being out of position or instructions that don’t fit the formation, without risking your rank. I usually test each new preset for 2-3 friendly matches before I take it into a ranked game.
At the end of the day, learning how to change formation in eFootball isn’t about memorizing a bunch of complicated steps. It’s about being able to adapt to what your opponent is doing, and play to your squad’s strengths. You don’t have to be a tactical genius to get it right, either – start with the three basic presets I mentioned, test them out, and adjust them as you go. Next time you’re stuck in a match where nothing’s going your way, a quick formation swap might be all you need to turn the loss into a win.