4-2-3-1 formation: positions and shirt numbers

Positions in the 4-2-3-1

All positions and what their numbers mean

Read the full guide to the 4-2-3-1 formation

What are the shirt numbers in a 4-2-3-1?

The numbers follow the most common international order. In a 4-2-3-1 formation: 1 goalkeeper, 2 right-back, 3 left-back, 4 centre-back, 5 centre-back, 6 defensive midfielder, 7 right winger, 8 defensive midfielder, 9 striker, 10 attacking midfielder, 11 left winger.

How many defenders, midfielders and forwards are in a 4-2-3-1?

A 4-2-3-1 formation has a goalkeeper and ten outfield players: 4 in defence, 5 in midfield and 1 in attack. The digits of a formation count the outfield lines from the back.

More formations

• 4-3-3
• 4-4-2
• 4-1-4-1
• 3-5-2
• 3-4-3
• 3-4-2-1
• 5-3-2
• 5-4-1

Other tools

• Tactics boardPick a formation, drag players, draw passes and zones, share by link.
• xG calculatorClick a shot on the pitch and get its expected goals value.
• Expected points calculatorTurn two xG totals into win, draw and loss probabilities.
• Elo calculatorWin expectancy between two Elo ratings, and the rating change after a result.
• PPDA calculatorPasses allowed per defensive action, from your own match counts.
• Formations and shirt numbersEvery formation as a numbered diagram, with each position and its role.
• Pitch and formation templatesPrintable blank pitches and formation sheets with name lines, as PNG or on A4.