GOALS - Player Positions

GOALS Player Positions List

• GK — Goalkeeper
• CB — Centre-back
• FB — Full-back
• WB — Wing-back
• DM — Defensive Midfielder
• CM — Central Midfielder
• WM — Wide Midfielder
• AM — Attacking Midfielder
• WF — Wide Forward
• ST — Striker

Preferred, Secondary, and Unfamiliar Positions

Preferred Position

A player's preferred position is the main position displayed on the player card. It is the safest formation slot for using that player and should normally match the position abbreviation shown in Game Plan.

Secondary Position

Some players can also occupy one or more secondary positions. The Game Plan interface displays a position indicator when a player is used away from the preferred position. A secondary position offers more squad-building flexibility, but the current player-details values should be checked before starting a match.

Unfamiliar Position

Placing a player in a position outside the preferred and secondary options produces a stronger warning in Game Plan. Open the player's details after moving them to see the adjusted attributes applied by the current game version. GOALS may rebalance position effects, so the displayed in-game values are more reliable than a fixed penalty quoted from an older build.

Goalkeepers and Outfield Players

Goalkeepers and outfield players use different specialist attributes. When a goalkeeper is used outfield, or an outfield player is placed in goal, GOALS assigns fixed values for attributes that the two player types do not share. These values depend on the player's rarity tier: Basic 30, Common 40, Uncommon 50, Rare 60, Epic 65, Legendary 70, and Mythic 75.

GK — Goalkeeper

Position

The goalkeeper is the deepest player and the only specialist positioned inside the team's goal area. Every GOALS formation contains one GK.

Main Responsibilities

• Save shots and protect scoring angles
• Collect or parry crosses and loose balls
• Rush out against through balls when appropriate
• Restart possession through throws, passes, or kicks

Important Attributes

Diving, Reflexes, Catching, Parrying, Positioning, Command of Area, Rushing, Throwing, Kicking Power, and the passing attributes all affect different parts of goalkeeper performance. Height and Jumping combine to determine total reach.

Available Roles

Goalkeeper and Sweeper Keeper.

CB — Centre-back

Position

Centre-backs occupy the middle of the defensive line, directly in front of the goalkeeper. GOALS formations use two or three CBs.

Main Responsibilities

• Track strikers and protect the central route to goal
• Win tackles, interceptions, blocks, and aerial duels
• Maintain the defensive line and support the offside structure
• Begin build-up play from defence

Important Attributes

Defensive IQ affects AI positioning, marking, and tracking. Stand Tackle, Slide Tackle, Interceptions, Blocking, Strength, Jumping, Heading, Pace, and passing are also important depending on the selected role and defensive line.

Available Roles

Centre Back, Ball Playing Defender, and Advanced Centre Back.

FB — Full-back

Position

Full-backs occupy the left and right sides of a conventional back four. They defend outside the centre-backs and can advance along the flank when the team has possession.

Main Responsibilities

• Defend against wide forwards and overlapping players
• Maintain the back line and cover the space beside the centre-backs
• Provide a wide passing option during build-up
• Support attacks and deliver passes or crosses from the flank

Important Attributes

Pace, Stamina, Defensive IQ, Jockeying, tackling, Interceptions, Ground Pass, Crossing, Sprint Dribbling, and First Touch help a full-back contribute in both phases.

Formations

FBs appear in every GOALS formation built around a back four, including 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-1-2, 4-5-1, 4-4-1-1, 4-1-2-1-2, 4-2-2-2, 4-3-3 ATK, and 4-3-3 DEF.

WB — Wing-back

Position

Wing-backs play outside a three-player centre-back line. They begin higher and cover more of the wide channel than full-backs in a back four.

Main Responsibilities

• Supply attacking width along the touchline
• Recover into the defensive line when possession is lost
• Support midfield progression and wide combinations
• Defend opposing wide players without a full-back behind them

Important Attributes

Pace and Stamina are particularly valuable because wing-backs repeatedly cover long distances. Crossing, passing, dribbling, Defensive IQ, Jockeying, tackling, and First Touch determine their effectiveness in the wide channel.

Formations

The WB position appears in 5-2-1-2 and 5-2-3.

DM — Defensive Midfielder

Position

The defensive midfielder sits centrally between midfield and the back line. A formation may use one DM as a single pivot or two DMs as a protective pair.

Main Responsibilities

• Screen the centre-backs and close central passing lanes
• Track runners entering the space ahead of the defence
• Recover loose balls and help stop counterattacks
• Offer a safe central passing option during build-up

Important Attributes

Defensive IQ, Interceptions, tackling, Blocking, Stamina, Strength, Ground Pass, Through Pass, First Touch, and awareness-related movement attributes suit the position. Passing becomes more important when the DM is the team's main pivot.

Formations

DMs appear in 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-1-2-1-2, 4-2-2-2, and 4-3-3 DEF.

CM — Central Midfielder

Position

Central midfielders operate through the middle third of the pitch. They connect the defensive and attacking units and may be positioned as a pair or part of a three-player midfield.

Main Responsibilities

• Receive possession from defenders and progress the ball
• Provide passing options around the ball
• Support attacks with forward movement
• Recover into midfield and assist defensively

Important Attributes

Ground Pass, Through Pass, First Touch, Close Dribbling, Stamina, Attacking IQ, and Defensive IQ are useful for an all-round CM. Pace, shooting, tackling, or physical attributes can be prioritized depending on the player's intended job.

Available Focus

The current Central Midfielder role supports Defend and Balanced focuses.

WM — Wide Midfielder

Position

Wide midfielders play on the left and right sides of the midfield line. They start deeper than wide forwards and contribute during both defensive and attacking phases.

Main Responsibilities

• Hold or attack the wide midfield channel
• Support the striker and central midfielders
• Track opposing wide players and help the defence
• Carry the ball forward or deliver crosses

Important Attributes

Pace, Stamina, Crossing, Ground Pass, Sprint Dribbling, Close Dribbling, First Touch, Defensive IQ, and Jockeying support the position's two-way workload.

Formations

WMs appear in 4-4-2, 3-5-2, 3-4-1-2, 3-4-3, 4-5-1, and 4-4-1-1.

AM — Attacking Midfielder

Position

The attacking midfielder plays between the central midfield and forward lines. GOALS formations may use one central AM or a line containing multiple attacking midfielders.

Main Responsibilities

• Receive the ball between opposition midfield and defence
• Connect central midfielders with the strikers
• Create chances through passes and dribbling
• Support attacks around the penalty area

Important Attributes

Attacking IQ directly affects attacking AI positioning and runs. Through Pass, Ground Pass, First Touch, Close Dribbling, Agility, Finishing, Long Shots, and Curve help the AM create and finish attacks.

Formations

AMs appear in 3-4-1-2, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-1-2, 5-2-1-2, 4-4-1-1, 4-1-2-1-2, 4-2-2-2, 4-3-3 ATK, and 4-3-3 DEF.

WF — Wide Forward

Position

Wide forwards start high on the left and right flanks as part of a three-player attacking line. They play closer to the striker and opposition goal than wide midfielders.

Main Responsibilities

• Stretch the opposing defensive line
• Provide an advanced passing outlet on the flank
• Carry the ball toward goal or create chances from wide areas
• Support the central striker inside the final third

Important Attributes

Pace, Sprint Dribbling, Close Dribbling, First Touch, Agility, Attacking IQ, Finishing, Crossing, Through Pass, and Weak Foot influence different wide-forward styles.

Formations

WFs appear in 4-3-3, 3-4-3, 5-2-3, 4-3-3 ATK, and 4-3-3 DEF.

ST — Striker

Position

The striker occupies the central attacking line and is normally the closest outfield player to the opposition goal. GOALS formations use either one or two STs.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead the attack and occupy centre-backs
• Make runs into scoring positions
• Finish chances inside and around the penalty area
• Link with supporting forwards and midfielders

Important Attributes

Attacking IQ, Finishing, Shot Power, Pace, First Touch, Balance, Strength, Heading, Jumping, Weak Foot, and passing all matter depending on whether the striker leads the line or drops into build-up play.

Available Roles

Striker and Deep Lying Forward.

How to Select Players for Each Position

Check the Formation First

Each formation creates a fixed collection of position slots. A back-four system needs FBs, while 5-2-1-2 and 5-2-3 use WBs. A 4-3-3 uses WFs, while 4-4-2 uses deeper WMs. Choose the formation before deciding which positions the squad must cover.

Compare Detailed Stats

The six category values on a player card summarize multiple detailed attributes. Open Player Details before making a decision: two players with a similar Passing category can still differ in Ground Pass, Through Pass, Crossing, or other position-specific abilities.

Coordinate Positions and Roles

Position determines the player's starting place in the formation; Player Role changes the AI instructions used from that position. A CB can remain conservative, take greater build-up risks, or advance into midfield depending on the role selected.

Keep Positional Cover on the Bench

Secondary-position players are useful because one substitute can cover more than one area. Prioritize bench options that can replace specialist positions without forcing several other players away from their preferred slots.