Summary
- FIFA 23 marks the end of an era for EA Sports and FIFA collaboration after many ups and downs.
- Benfica, Leverkusen, Lathium, Real Betis, Leicester City, Napoli, and others feature top players and formations.
- Several teams, like Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Manchester City, offer high overall ratings and star-studded lineups.
The final game to feature the famed partnership of EA Sports and the official licensing body FIFA is finally here, with more teams and players than ever before. FIFA 23 is the end of an era, a game that sees the iconic soccer sim passing on and leaving space for multiple new iterations and challengers to take its place.
30 Best FIFA Games Ever, Ranked
EA's FIFA franchise has seen plenty of ups and downs. This list focuses on the series' high points by ranking its best-ever releases.
Even considerable fan backlash could not stop this year’s installment from proving as popular as ever in terms of sales and revenue, meaning that there will still be vast numbers of players looking to take to the field and crush their rivals into the dirt. Doing that, of course, requires the best team possible. Start a game of FIFA 23 with any of these sides and victory is well within reach.
Updated October 2, 2024 by Ben Painter: EA Sports FC 25 has just been released for fans. Casual players or fans not looking to shell out for the price of the latest entry may want to head back to an older edition of the game and play a few games of virtual soccer. FIFA 23 is the last of its name in the franchise before the name change to EA Sports FC, so this game is somewhat historic. This update adds five new entries that make up the top 25 best club teams to use in FIFA 23, in career mode, kick-off, seasons, or even just with friends.
1 SL Benfica
Overall Rating: 79
- Best Player: Alejandro Grimaldo/Rafa (83)
- Formation: 4-4-1-1 Attack
- Rating in FC 25: 78
The best team in Portugal in FIFA 23 is undoubtedly SL Benfica. The Liga Portugal side is based in the capital of Lisbon and has a very decent squad for gamers to use. Their standout player is Rafa, who is an 83-rated CF, capable of playing on either wing or behind the striker. He is an expert dribbler and creator, the beating heart of this team.
Their other top-rated player is also 83-rated and is Alejandro Grimaldo. The Spanish left back is rapid and thrives in bombing forward and joining in on the attack down the left-hand side. Joao Mario and Nicolas Otamendi are also top players. Benfica have a good squad all around.
2 Leverkusen
Overall Rating: 79
- Best Player: Florian Wirtz/Moussa Diaby (84)
- Formation: 3-4-3 Flat
- Rating in FC 25: 83
For FC 25, Bayer 04 Leverkusen got a big upgrade to their squad, deservedly so after they cruised to the club's first-ever Bundesliga title, going the full season undefeated in the league. However, in FIFA 23, they are very modestly rated at 79.
EA Sports FC 25: The Best Formation & Starting 11 For Liverpool
The best Starting 11 for Liverpool in EA Sports FC 25 has stars like Salah, Van-Dijk, Mac Allister, and Alisson playing in 4-3-3 Holding formation.
This does not mean they don't have some amazing players that gamers can get their hands on. Florian Wirtz is a versatile player who can operate on the wing, in the CAM position, and as a striker. Moussa Diaby is also awesome, one of the quickest players in the game, and he will certainly get in behind the opposition's defense. Playing in a 3-4-3 formation, this side is hardworking and very attacking. Gamers will certainly score goals with this squad.
3 Lathium
Overall Rating: 79
- Best Player: Ciro Immobile/Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (86)
- Formation: 4-3-3 Holding
- Rating in FC 25: 78
Lathium, or as they are known in real life as SS Lazio (EA Sports do not own the license to use their official name or jerseys), is a side playing out of Rome in Italy's Serie A. The main pull of this team is the duo of Ciro Immobile and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The former is an out-and-out goal machine, while the latter is the driving force for the side in midfield. Both are at the top of their game in Italy.
Partnering the Serbian in midfield is Luis Alberto, who is more of a creative midfielder with a fantastic passing range and is a handy dribbler, too. Alessio Romagnoli is the main defender, who isn't afraid to put in a heavy tackle and win an aerial duel. Lazio is fairly solid all around.
4 Real Betis
Overall Rating: 79
- Best Player: Nabil Fakir/Sergio Canales (84)
- Formation: 4-2-3-1 Wide
- Rating in FC 25: 77
Spanish La Liga side Real Betis are one of the best club teams to use in FIFA 23. Nabil Fekir is the danger man for Betis. The French CAM has an eye for goal and great dribbling and passing stats. Sergio Caneles is also a pretty decent player, too, much more of a CM. He operates as an RM on this side, keeping things compact out wide and allowing the more creative players to make things happen.
EA Sports FC 25: Best Glow Up Evolution Players
It's time for a glow up! Here, find the best players to use in the EA Sports FC 25 Glow Up Evolution along with all the requirements and upgrades.
Borja Iglesias is the man upfront, who is a more traditional number 9, strong, can hold the ball up well, and, most importantly, knows how to find the back of the net. The 4-2-3-1 wide formation is a standard system in the game, for good reason, as it is the most balanced using two CDMs to keep the defense secure.
5 Leicester City
Overall Rating: 79
- Best Player: James Maddison (84)
- Formation: 4-2-3-1 Wide
- Rating in FC 25: 76
The 2015/16 Premier League Champions may have lost N'Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez by the time that FIFA 23 rolled around. But they replaced them well and, more importantly, kept hold of Jamie Vardy, who is the main attacking outlet in this Leicester City team.
James Maddison is the creator on this side. The English CAM is a great passer of the ball and operates well from set-pieces, whipping in deadly free-kicks and corners that can cause a real problem for opposition defenders. Sadly, they did get relegated this year but are back where they belong in the top flight for EA Sports FC 25.
6 Napoli
Overall Rating: 80
- Best Player: Victor Osimhen (85)
- Formation: 4-3-3 Holding
- Rating in FC 25: 80
The Serie A Champions for that season, Napoli has an awesome squad in FIFA 23 that is balanced across the board with the key man being the striking option of Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian is fast, strong, quality in the air, and can finish all sorts of chances. He is the perfect striker on FIFA 23.
The midfield is solid, and compact, but also with an eye for a pass or goal. In defense, Giovanni Di Lorenzo is the standout here, with quality at both ends of the pitch. The only downside is their wingers, who are rated 81 each. The Georgian, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, did receive a big upgrade to 86 in FC 24, but in the previous entry, he had a modest rating.
7 Roma
Overall Rating: 80
- Best Player: Paulo Dybala (86)
- Formation: 3-4-2-1
- Rating in FC 25: 81
AS Roma may not have their star men, Francesco Totti and Danielle de Rossi anymore, but what they do have in FIFA 23 is a well-rounded team. The highlight of this is the new signing for this season, Paulo Dybala, who thrives in the role just off the striker with his superb dribbling and finishing stats.
EA Sports FC 24: 5 Best Football Career Mode Alternatives
Given the lack of competition currently present for EA Sports FC 24, there are only a few different titles players craving a Career Mode can turn to.
The back three in defense are all solid, capable of defending well but also playing out from the back. Width comes from their wingbacks, which complements the two inside CFs very well and offers a lot of support to their one lone striker, Tammy Abraham. AS Roma has a lot of quality, and it is worth giving them a go in FIFA 23.
8 Villarreal
Overall Rating: 80
- Best Player: Dani Parejo (86)
- Formation: 4-1-4-1
- Rating in FC 25: 78
The Yellow Submarine has a mixed team in FIFA 23. They have a few star players in Dani Parejo, the anchor of their midfield, expert finisher Gerard Moreno, and rock at the back Pau Torres. Other than that, their team is pretty average, although right midfielder Samuel Chukwueze is electric in this team, an absolute speed machine.
A formation change may need to occur here when using Villarreal. The 4-1-4-1 is pretty defensive, so switching to a 4-3-3 Holding or even 4-2-3-1 may be better to create more opportunities for goals and shape Villarreal into one of the best FIFA 23 teams.
9 Sevilla
Overall Rating: 81
- Best Player: Marcos Acuna (85)
- Formation: 4-3-3 Attack
- Rating in FC 25: 76
The seven-time Europa League champions are certainly one of the strongest teams in FIFA 23 with their 4-3-3 Attack formation, and they can be deadly going forward. Their best player, however, is their left-back, Marcos Acuna, who adds to their attacking prowess with his fantastic passing and crossing ability.
FIFA 23: Best Defensive Midfielders, Ranked
Defensive midfielders are one of the most popular roles due to their fluidity, and these are just some of the best in FIFA 23.
On average, they are even across the board, which works in their favor. Not many standouts here for Sevilla but with a robust midfield of Ivan Rakitic and Papa Gueye, they can keep things tidy, protect the defense and allow the attackers to work their magic up the pitch.
10 Milan
Overall Rating: 81
- Best Player: Mike Maignan (87)
- Formation: 4-3-3 Attack
- Rating in FC 25: 81
They may not be the giants of soccer that they once were, but AC Milan is still a great team to use in FIFA 23. Mike Maignan is their man in between the sticks and, what a goalkeeper he is, standing at a very impressive 87 overall. He is not their only player of world-class talent. Left winger Rafael Leo is rapid down the left side. Cutting inside on his right foot will certainly cause problems for the opposition.
Theo Hernandez and Fikayo Tomori are amazing in defense, quick, strong, and fantastic at their jobs on the field. Sandro Tonali keeps things tight in the midfield with his tidy passing and tenacious tackling. Up front is the legend, Olivier Giroud. He may not be quick, but he can get goals in this Milan team.