Mastering the Wide Forward in FM26

THE WIDE FORWARD: THE HYBRID STRIKER

In modern football, wide players are no longer simply expected to create. They must create chances, offer a goal threat and be specialists in transition.

The Wide Forward operates as a hybrid of a winger and a striker. The in-game description highlights the role’s importance of holding width throughout the attack to stretch the defence as well as making dangerous runs in behind.

The Role's Purpose

The Wide Forward role leans more heavily towards goalscoring than goal creation, often attacking the box directly to finish off crosses or combine with play in the central areas.

To do so effectively, you ideally need a player who favours the opposite foot to the flank they are deployed on, allowing them to comfortably drive onto their stronger foot from wide areas.

To thrive in this role, the Wide Forward demands attributes traditionally associated with central forwards.

They need good Off the Ball movement to find spaces between defenders and make the right runs to get on the end of chances from their teammates. They also need strong Acceleration to beat their full-back and Composure to convert those high-speed chances under pressure.

Player Instructions to be considered for this role are Dribble More and Cut Inside With Ball - both are behaviours which you would expect, ensuring when receiving the ball in transition the player dribbles instead of passing the ball.

Out of Possession: The Wide Outlet Winger

FM26 levels up your tactical choices, replacing the old system of duties with the introduction of distinct In and Out of Possession formations and player roles.

The perfect companion to the Wide Forward in possession is the Wide Outlet Winger. This is a specialist role that’s focused entirely on maximising your team’s threat during quick transitions and counter-attacks.

They do this by staying high up the pitch, holding their position rather than tracking back to help cover the Full-Back in behind them. This means that when you turn over possession, they are a dangerous option for a counter-attack by staying high and wide to stretch the opposition.

Once receiving the ball in transition the Wide Outlet Winger needs specific Attributes to maximise its impact in transition, whether by creating a goal or scoring one.

Of course, Dribbling is essential. They need to be able to carry the ball upfield quickly and beat the backtracking defenders in one-on-one situations.

Combined with that are great Technique - as that will help them control the passes into them from deep - and Composure for making sure they convert the dangerous counter into either a goal for themselves or a decisive assist for one of their teammates.

The Defensive Compromise

The downside of the Wide Outlet Winger is that by staying high and disconnected from the rest of your defensive block, they do leave you somewhat exposed on that flank.

To maintain that defensive balance, the Wide Outlet Winger should be paired with a Wide Covering Midfielder.

Another new Out-of-Possession role for FM26, the Wide Covering Midfielder is asked to provide defensive support in wide areas. Instead of protecting central areas more like a traditional central midfielder, the player will move across from their typical position to shift across and support their full-back.

This movement allows the Wide Covering Central Midfielder to help the team defend against wide threats, often doubling up against the opposition's wide attacking players.

Completing the Flank: The Full-Back Options

The final piece of the puzzle to support the exciting new wide player roles in FM26 are your choices of role at full-back. Here, your decisions should be informed by your overall tactical philosophy.

If you’re a team expecting to press the opposition hard and dominate games, the Pressing Full-Back is your best option. This is because most possession is lost in the final third and this aggressive role will stop progression down the flank.

If you’re expecting to be more of a counter-attacking, defensive team, you should be looking at the Holding Full-Back. They’ll ensure a robust structure is maintained as they rarely venture forward, instead prioritising solidity for your defensive shape.

Using the wide roles discussed here with a player whose Attributes closely align to the recommendations should provide you with a high-output wide player.

The Wide Forward, and it’s out of possession companion, shows just how effective a role can be when appropriately paired with the right support from their teammates.

FM26 brings you more teams to manage and leagues to compete in, meaning more opportunities to bring your tactical ideas to life.