EA released FIFA 22 on 1 October 2021 with Kylian Mbappe on the cover, and it is the penultimate game to carry the FIFA name before FIFA 23 closed the series and EA Sports FC took over. The marketing headline was HyperMotion, machine learning trained on 11v11 motion capture, and PC did not get it: the Windows build shipped on the older engine that PlayStation 4 and Xbox One received. What PC did get was the rewritten goalkeeper system, Explosive Sprint, True Ball Physics and Composed Ball Control. Two things matter before you buy: EA pulled FIFA 22 from Steam in September 2023, and EA retired its online services on 4 November 2024, so Ultimate Team, Division Rivals and Pro Clubs no longer function.
Choosing the right role shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cut Inside winger | A | Balanced | Skilled Bridge | Yes |
| Stay Back defensive midfielder | A | Balanced | Four-Touch Turn | Yes |
| Get In Behind striker | A | Balanced | Scoop Turn Fake | Yes |
| Come Short playmaker | A | Balanced | First-Time Spin | Yes |
| Overlap full back | A | Balanced | Drag Back | Yes |
New player? Start with Stay Back defensive midfielder. See our beginner's guide for why.
Cut Inside winger
Cut Inside winger is a strong option in FIFA 22.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Skilled Bridge |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | HyperMotion skipped the PC version |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Skilled Bridge
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Create a Club in Manager Career to learn Cut Inside winger-specific mechanics
- Focus on HyperMotion skipped the PC version. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Skilled Bridge as your first major upgrade
- See our full Cut Inside winger build guide for the optimal gear progression
Stay Back defensive midfielder
Stay Back defensive midfielder is a strong option in FIFA 22.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Four-Touch Turn |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Goalkeeper rewrite |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Four-Touch Turn
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Create a Club in Manager Career to learn Stay Back defensive midfielder-specific mechanics
- Focus on Goalkeeper rewrite. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Four-Touch Turn as your first major upgrade
- See our full Stay Back defensive midfielder build guide for the optimal gear progression
Get In Behind striker
Get In Behind striker is a strong option in FIFA 22.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Scoop Turn Fake |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Explosive Sprint |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Scoop Turn Fake
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Create a Club in Manager Career to learn Get In Behind striker-specific mechanics
- Focus on Explosive Sprint. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Scoop Turn Fake as your first major upgrade
- See our full Get In Behind striker build guide for the optimal gear progression
Come Short playmaker
Come Short playmaker is a strong option in FIFA 22.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | First-Time Spin |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | The pre-rebrand chemistry system |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with First-Time Spin
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Create a Club in Manager Career to learn Come Short playmaker-specific mechanics
- Focus on The pre-rebrand chemistry system. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize First-Time Spin as your first major upgrade
- See our full Come Short playmaker build guide for the optimal gear progression
Overlap full back
Overlap full back is a strong option in FIFA 22.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Drag Back |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Online services retired |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Drag Back
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Create a Club in Manager Career to learn Overlap full back-specific mechanics
- Focus on Online services retired. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Drag Back as your first major upgrade
- See our full Overlap full back build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Role Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Stay Back defensive midfielder is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Cut Inside winger is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Skilled Bridge for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Overlap full back offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another role.
For Group Play
Come Short playmaker shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More FIFA 22 Guides
- FIFA 22 FIFA 22 Overview
- FIFA 22 Best Builds
- FIFA 22 Tier List
- FIFA 22 Walkthrough
- FIFA 22 Beginner's Guide
- FIFA 22 Tips & Tricks
- FIFA 22 Weapons Guide
- FIFA 22 Combat Guide
- FIFA 22 Boss Guide
- FIFA 22 Maps & Locations
- FIFA 22 Crafting Guide
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- Rocket League Classes Guide: sports game with similar mechanics
- Football Manager 2024 Classes Guide: sports game with similar mechanics
