Ok, so you've taken your Starter Nation Pack, opened packs with your allotment of 4600 FC Points ( if you pre-ordered the Ultimate Edition ) and maybe have even done a few SBC's. Now you're ready to assemble your initial Starter Squad and take it into Rivals to test your mettle. I've put together 3 very realistic teams you should be able to put together immediately even if you haven't spent any FC Points yet. Let's check them out!
Mostly Spain with a dash of Pace
We'll utilize the 4-3-3 (4) as our base formation for this first team as it will help me determine which formation route I want to pursue in the future.
This formation allows you to test out several things:
Can I operate out on the wings this year?
Does a 1 striker formation work for me?
Is pace important? (yes, yes it is)
How does the CAM operate in the midfield and attack?
Do I prefer a more defensive formation?
How are my fullbacks moving around?
For this team, I chose to go with some pace up top. All of my forwards have 90+ PACE and in addition have 70+ PHYS, with Nuñez boasting 85 PHYS ( important for a Striker imo ). In addition to being supremely rapid, both wingers are double 4's, just what you want when you're operating in space.
Dominik Szoboszlai gets the nod at CAM and will most likely be the guy I build around initially as I am pretty sure I will put him through the EVOLUTION cycle. To round out the midfield I chose Gavi as my box to box mid with his H/H work rate and Sergi Darder as my "steady Eddie". Darder is just solid at everything. My backline consists of a combination of pace and prowess.
Balde at LB and van de Ven at CB give me comfort knowing I've got some speed at the back to combat the upcoming pace assault of Rivals and WL. Nathan Aké as my other CB is a solid choice as he exhibits several characteristics I look for in my CB's; M/H work rate, 75+ Pace and having a left footer on the left side. Joskò Gvardiol is also a good choice here but Aké gets the chemistry nod. Rounding out the backline is RB Pedro Porro, who I think will be one of my favorite players to have at RB off the jump. He's got really good stats across the board and boasts 91 stamina.
Aubrey Kingsbury gets the nod in goal due to her link with Trinity Rodman as well as her "Far Throw" PlayStyle ability. At 31/33 Chemistry, this will be a very attainable and competitive squad to build from Day 1.
5 ATB, really? Hear me out
Ok, first of all, I don't personally use a 5 ATB formation in-game, or at least haven't in the past few years. I do, however, like to utilize a 3 ATB formation as that's what I primarily used in FIFA 23 (3-4-2-1). If you are privvy to using a 3 ATB, building your squad from a 5 ATB formation is the best thing you do for that. Why? Because starting with a LWB and RWB and switching your formation in game to a 3 ATB puts them as your LM and RM respectively, which gives you significant leverage in maximizing their strengths.
For this Squad, the assumption is that maybe you had a little bit better luck in pulling some cards as there are a few higher rated players in here. At Striker we've upgraded to Cody Gakpo who comes with double 4's and an all-around great looking card stat wise and we've partnered him with freshly minted Belgian Bundesliga speedster Löis Openda. Szoboszlai returns to his familiar role of CAM in this formation and is flanked by CM's Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch (4/4) as midfield stalwarts.
At LWB we introduce Grimaldo into the lineup. He has all the stats and traits to be a very good LM with his left foot, 87 Pace, 90 Stamina and above average face stats. The backline includes a pair of Man City defenders in Joško Gvardiol and Manuel Akanji as well as Bayern CB Dayot Upamecano, who may be pricier than I think at the start.
Péter Gulácsi in goal gives you a solid wall to begin with. This team gives you a little bit of everything, except that there are no women in this squad. 33/33 Chemistry!
A little pack luck/work required
This obviously isn't going to be attainable on Day 1. I do believe that this could be your 1st Squad going into Weekend League, which in my book technically qualifies as a Starter Squad. As you can see at a quick glance there are a few higher rated players mixed in there, but absolutely nothing unachievable with a little bit of work on your end. You do want to have a competitive squad going into your first WL, right? Well, let's get at it then.
This formation is built in the mold of a 4-4-1-1 (2), but I would personally move this into a 4-3-3 (5). We start up top with Asisat Oshoala who is going to be potent in your attack whether it's as a ST or CF. Oshoala possesses all the necessary traits for a good False 9 with an added dose of pace.
On the outside attack we have Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who may be the most expensive piece in this squad as his base card went from a 74 rated Rare Silver in FIFA 23 to an 86 with double 5's here in EAFC 24. Federico Chiesa or Christian Pulisic would be alternates in that slot should you be able to assemble the rest of this team. On the right we have Lauren James who is going to be an early beast with her 5 star skills and 4 star weak foot not to mention 6 PlayStyle abilities; "Long Ball Pass", "Whipped Pass", "First Touch", "Flair", "Trickster", "Quick Step" and 1 PlayStyle+ ability "Rapid".
Claudia Pina gets the nod at CAM with her 4/5, 5 PlayStyle abilities, and has the stats to back up some expected stellar play. Renato Sanches, who is always a beast even though the rating is far below what it should be (barring price) and once again, Gavi, lock down the midfield.
Fridolina Rolfö at LB could be one of the best in the game. She has a H/H work rate and plenty of stats that are among the best in the game. Pair that with her PlayStyle+ ability of "Trickster" and her PlayStyle abilities of "Whipped Pass", "First Touch", "Technical", and "Quick Step" and you may be looking at your LB until TOTY. The backline remains solid with the duo of Chris Smalling and Evan Ndicka at CB and the versatile RB and brother of a fellow squad mate, Reece James. Alex Meret takes the final slot in goal. 33/33 Chemistry!
This team has a little bit of a "wow" factor to it; you've got pace, skill, defense, exactly what you need to take into your first WL. Again, will you have this on Day 1? No, not if your keeping money in your pocket and not spending it on FC Points. This is a very achievable team to have after a week or 2 and in my personal opinion, totally something you should consider building. I will keep you all up to date on my squad building journey. Until then, happy assembling!
