If you’re still trying to figure out which team to commit to in FIFA 21’s Career Mode, here are the best teams in FIFA 21 along with some useful context so that you know what you’re getting into when you start managing any of these 10 powerful squads.
In this guide, we’re going to dig into the star players and the super subs behind each of the top ten teams and talk about their advantages on the pitch so you can make a decision and choose the right squad in any game mode.
If you want to edit any of the teams in FIFA 21 for use in single-player mode, all you have to do is head to the Customize tab on the main menu and choose the Edit Teams option. From there you can change formations, swap players, confirm game plans, pick tactics and choose which footballers take set pieces like corners, free kicks and penalties. Also, in the customization menu, you can use the Club Transfers option to trade players between top-flight teams to create your fantasy squad.
5 Stars / 89 ATT / 84 MID / 86 DEF
Hot off the heels of their Premier League title win in the 2019-20 season, Liverpool takes the top spot in FIFA 21 thanks to the sheer amount of versatility the team offers. With two 90 rated Wingers in Salah and Mane, the English team has stopping power up front, supported by a tight-knit midfield that strikes a strong balance between defending prowess and Pace thanks to highly adaptable players like Henderson and Wijnaldum.
With world-class defenders in the back four and a superb keeper in Allison, this is the team you want to reserve in a kick-off match against your mates. Liverpool’s super subs include Shaqiri, an easy swap for a tired Salah who boasts five-star skills if you need the extra flair upfront. Oxlade-Chamberlain also makes a fine replacement for Henderson when tired, providing the midfield with a boost in pace.
5 Stars / 91 ATT / 85 MID / 82 DEF
Champions League and Continental Treble winners Bayern Munich arrive in second just behind Liverpool in FIFA 21’s team rankings. Bayern played 4-3-2-1 with a lone attacker upfront in Lewandowski, the game’s most powerful striker. With passing wizard Muller slotted behind to feed the Polish attacker opportunities, Bayern is a force to be reckoned with in FIFA 21.
Crucial to the team’s high rating is the speedy young midfield and defense that supports the aging forwards by holding possession and pressuring opponents when mistakes are made. Having the 89-rated Neuer in goal can’t hurt either! Super subs for Bayern Munich include swapping Sane for Coman in left midfield, and Costa for Muller in CAM to get a major boost in dribbling and pace and take advantage of the Brazilian player’s five-star skills.
5 Stars / ATT 84 / MID 86 / DEF 85
La Liga reigning champions Real Madrid have always been a fixture at the top of the FIFA team rankings over the years, but in FIFA 21 they take a comfortable third place thanks to the staggering amount of talent at the club. The old guard of Ramos, Modric and Benzema form a formidable spine in the 4-3-3 formation, which is complemented by lightning-quick young wingers like Vinicius Jr and Rodrigo, who offer top pace and dribbling skills.
Super subs for Real Madrid include swapping Hazard for Benzema or Vinicius Jr on the left depending on their fitness, replacing Mendy with Marcelo’s five-star skill flair in left-back, and injecting pace into the ageing midfield with young star Odegaard.
5 Stars / ATT 86 / MID 86 / DEF 83
Man City is another excellent choice if you’re planning to play primarily as a Premier League squad in FIFA 21. Like Liverpool, they have consistent stats across the board with head honcho 91-rated De Bruyne controlling play in the midfield. His 93 Passing is a godsend for 93 Pace goal magnet Sterling on the left-wing, their powers combining to create unstoppable counter attacks.
With nimble defenders in left and right back to nurture the attacking supply chain, Manchester City excels in all areas in FIFA 21. Super subs for the English club include the 89-rated Aguero, whose 90 Shooting stat and excellent finishing skills secure goals regularly. Gundogan is also a decent swap for a tired Rodri in defensive midfield, to bolster your passing capabilities.
5 Stars / ATT 84 / MID 85 / DEF 83
The other half of El Classico take fifth place in the FIFA 21 team rankings. But don’t let that dissuade you, Barca is still incredibly dangerous when used properly in-game. With the pace and power of Messi and Griezmann up front, Barcelona’s balanced attacking formation is hard to deal with online and only made more formidable by defenders with high Physical stats like Pique and Lenglet, who are flanked by pace heavy left and right backs Alba and Roberto.
Barcelona’s main super sub is swapping in Dembele for Fati on the left-wing. Dembele’s five-star skill moves and weak foot ability make him a serious problem for defenders, especially if you’re skilled enough to make use of his flair.
5 Stars / ATT 87 / MID 80 / DEF 84
Sixth place goes to Serie A’s Juventus, or Piemonte Calcio in FIFA 21, given that EA no longer owns the licence for the top-flight Italian team. You’re spoilt for choice as far as dangerous strikers go, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Dybala creating a dynamic duo upfront in the unusual 3-5-2 formation that arrives as standard. A lot of pressure is levied on Cuadrado and Kulusevski who hold the wings here, leaving three stalwart defenders at the back in Chiellini, Bonucci and Danilo.
For more physicality and a better weak foot at the expense of pure pace, you can swap out Dybala for Morata upfront, and you may consider bringing all-rounder Alex Sandro off the bench if you want to make the defence as nimble as possible.
5 Stars / ATT 84 / MID 82 / DEF 82
Atletico Madrid take seventh place in the FIFA 21 team rankings after consistent La Liga success in recent years, only bolstered by recent attacking acquisitions like Suarez and Carrasco. Madrid play a flat 4-4-2 in FIFA 21, with 80+ rated players across the board, protected by the game’s best goalkeeper, 91 rated Jan Oblak.
Super subs for the Spanish club include swapping out Felix for Costa up front to take advantage of his Physical prowess and high attacking work rate. Llorente is also a great swap to fight fatigue at half-time, as he boasts green skills across the board and an incredible work rate in midfield.
5 Stars / ATT 86 / MID 82 / DEF 79
With Mbappe being this year’s cover star, it’s no surprise that French titans Paris Saint-German have made it into the top 10 teams in FIFA 21. With Neymar, Mbappe and Di Maria applying constant pressure up front with their five-star skill moves and nifty pace, you shouldn’t have any problem scoring multiple goals with PSG.
However, the team’s lacking defence make them a little more tricky to play as, especially against teams who are keen on the counter-attack. Super subs for PSG include swapping in Bernal for Bakker at left-back, and Pereira for Verratti in midfield to bolster physicality and stop attacks before they get dangerous.
4.5 Stars / ATT 85 / MID 82 / DEF 81
Spurs find themselves at place number 9 in the FIFA team ratings, arguably making them the best 4.5-star team in the game. With Bale back at Tottenham on loan from Real Madrid, the team’s attacking potential is startling, with crack shot Kane leading the charge. Star player Son sits in left midfield with high pace, shooting and dribbling skills, and players can expect to utilise his high work rate to supply Kane with plenty of easy goals.
Super subs for Tottenham include swapping in Bale for Moura on the right-wing to take advantage of his Shooting stats and Alli for Lo Celso or Winks in midfield to add some more aggression and pace to the core of the squad.
4.5 Stars / ATT 85 / MID 81 / DEF 81
Dortmund is one of the Bundesliga’s most exciting teams, and thanks to the remarkable roster of talent that powers it, the club rounds off our list of the top 10 teams in FIFA 21. With exciting future stars like Haaland, Sancho and Brandt in the squad, they’re tons of fun to develop across a Career Mode as you battle to clinch the title from Bayern. Dortmund’s chevron formation allows for a wide midfield which protects incredible defenders like Hummels who hold back the tide.
Super subs for Dortmund include swapping Schulz for Akanji in left-back to prop up the defence with more pace, and replacing a tired Brandt with Reus at centre-attacking-midfield to achieve more clinical finishing and create chances.
Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.
