Ultimate Team in FIFA 23 is more than just collecting cards—it’s about crafting a squad that balances chemistry, player roles, finances, and strategy over time. Many players get lost focusing only on flashy names or chasing the latest promos, but a winning Ultimate Team is built carefully step by step. In this article, we’ll deeply explore how to build a successful Ultimate Team in FIFA 23, moving from the basics of early squads all the way to endgame elite rosters. 

Understanding the Foundations of Ultimate Team 

Before diving into squad construction, it’s essential to grasp the core systems of Ultimate Team. Chemistry has been reworked in FIFA 23, shifting away from strict nation/league links and opening up new creative possibilities. Players can now build hybrid squads more freely, but balance still matters.

Another foundation is squad roles. It’s not enough to simply field eleven stars—you need the right balance of pace, power, creativity, and defensive stability. Understanding your preferred playstyle, whether it’s counterattacking, possession-based, or pressing-heavy, determines what type of players fit your team.

Ultimately, the first step isn’t about buying icons or chasing Team of the Week—it’s about clarity of vision. A winning Ultimate Team starts with defining how you want your squad to play.

Starting Strong: Building Your First Squad

In the early days, coin management is everything. Players often waste coins on opening packs, but in reality, investing in a balanced starter squad sets the foundation for long-term success.

Key Priorities for a Starter Squad

  • Pacey attackers who can exploit defenses.
  • Midfielders with stamina and decent passing range.
  • Affordable defenders with high physicality and basic pace.
  • A reliable goalkeeper, even if they aren’t top-tier.

Example Strategy

Instead of overspending on one star striker, distribute coins across the team. A balanced squad prevents weaknesses from being exploited and allows you to remain competitive in Division Rivals from the very beginning.

Mastering the Transfer Market

The transfer market is the beating heart of Ultimate Team. Learning to trade and flip cards can mean the difference between stagnating with a mid-tier squad and steadily upgrading into elite players.

Common Trading Strategies

  1. Low-Budget Sniping – Target bronze or silver cards in demand for SBCs and flip them quickly.
  2. Meta Gold Flipping – Buy popular meta players during low activity (overnight) and sell at peak times.
  3. Promo Week Investments – During promos, invest in cards that may rise after pack supply dries up.

Risk Management

A common mistake is panic-selling when prices drop. Smart traders hold valuable cards, knowing the market fluctuates daily. A winning Ultimate Team builder is also a patient investor.

Unlocking Chemistry in FIFA 23

With the chemistry system overhaul, players now gain links in a more flexible manner. This means squad-building is no longer limited to strict nationality or league stacks.

Chemistry Strategies

  • Use icon cards to act as universal chemistry anchors.
  • Focus on league cores (e.g., Premier League midfield + La Liga attackers).
  • Employ manager cards to push players into full chemistry.

Hybrid Example

Imagine a backline of Bundesliga defenders, a midfield trio from Serie A, and Premier League wingers. With icons or special cards, such hybrids are far more achievable in FIFA 23 compared to older games.

SBCs: Smart Investments, Not Traps

Squad Building Challenges (SBCs) can make or break your Ultimate Team progression. Many new players jump into flashy SBCs for short-term fun, but the real winners choose wisely.

SBC Value Analysis

  • Player SBCs – Only complete if the card fits your long-term squad or meta.
  • Upgrade SBCs – Best during promos when pack value is highest.
  • League SBCs – Great for steady grind players who recycle cards.

Avoiding Traps

Don’t sink all your coins into early high-rated SBCs that look tempting but quickly get outdated. True squad builders pick SBCs that align with squad development goals.

Tactical Evolution of Your Squad

A team built in October won’t survive in March unless it evolves. The key is adapting to gameplay patches, new meta shifts, and your own growth as a player.

Adapting to the Meta

For example, if finesse shots are buffed in a patch, investing in players with high curve and finesse traits gives your team an edge. Similarly, if defensive AI is nerfed, having quick center-backs becomes essential.

Long-Term Roster Philosophy

Think of your squad like a football club: short-term players (meta cards for 1–2 months) and long-term cornerstones (icons or promo cards that last the full cycle).

The Psychology of Squad Building

Beyond mechanics, there’s also the psychological game. Many players tilt after pack openings or panic when a squad feels outdated. Winning teams aren’t just built on coins—they’re built on patience and mental discipline.

Avoiding FOMO

FIFA thrives on limited-time promos, but chasing every shiny card leads to financial collapse. Focus on cards that enhance your playstyle, not just hype.

Confidence in Play

A squad built around your comfort zone creates consistency. Confidence in passing, shooting, and defending grows when your players truly fit your tactical identity.

Weekend League Squad Optimization

The real test of your Ultimate Team comes in FUT Champions. Building a squad for casual Division Rivals is one thing—optimizing for high-pressure, 20-game Weekend League marathons is another.

Key Considerations

  • Depth: Have super-subs ready to change games.
  • Chemistry: Ensure 100% chemistry to maximize every attribute.
  • Balance: Don’t overload on attack; defensive reliability is crucial under pressure.

Endurance Factor

Fatigue across multiple matches requires squad rotation or players with high stamina. Weekend League-winning squads are not just star-studded but durable.

From Mid-Tier to Elite Squads

As the season progresses, the leap from good to great requires breaking into high-tier cards: TOTY, TOTS, and Icons. But this transition isn’t only about coins—it’s about timing.

Smart Upgrades

  • Replace weakest links first (a poor defender is more damaging than a slightly weaker striker).
  • Invest in one or two game-changing players rather than spreading upgrades thinly.

Elite Team Blueprint

A winning elite team usually includes:

  • 1–2 Icons/legends as anchors.
  • Meta wingers/strikers with pace and shooting.
  • A balanced midfield with one destroyer, one creator, and one all-rounder.

The Endgame: Building a Legacy Squad

By the final months of FIFA 23, coins are plentiful, and cards are outrageous. But building a “legacy squad” is about more than raw stats—it’s about identity.

Dream Teams

Players often pursue squads filled with their favorite real-world stars, mixing nostalgia with power. This creates motivation to keep playing, even when the cycle nears its end.

Sustainability

A legacy squad also prepares you for future FIFAs by teaching market habits, patience, and tactical adaptability. Winning in FIFA 23 builds the mindset to dominate future editions.

Conclusion

Building a winning Ultimate Team in FIFA 23 is a journey of patience, strategy, and adaptation. It’s not about luck from packs but about making smart choices, mastering the market, staying ahead of the meta, and constructing a squad that reflects both balance and personality. From humble beginnings with budget squads to legacy rosters featuring Icons and TOTYs, every decision shapes your path to victory. The players who succeed aren’t the ones who chase every promo—they’re the ones who understand the system, build smartly, and play with confidence.