Quick answer: The basic layout of EA SPORTS FC 27 is the same as in FC 26 (Classic controls). New in FC 27 are curved runs (L1 + R1 / LB + RB), the pass and follow run (L1 + R1 + ✕ / LB + RB + A) and a short window at corners where you control your players in the box, including R1 / RB to slip past opponents. Defending is more manual: AI teammates no longer tackle for you.
Curved runsL1+R1/LB+RB
Pass & followL1+R1+✕/LB+RB+A
Cornershold R1/RB to slip free
Defendingno more AI auto-tackles
Same base layoutClassic controls like FC 26
Switch & PCbutton names explained
Last updated: 27 October 2026 · Controls checked in-game on: 27 October 2026
Many people still search for "FIFA 27 controls". Since 2023 the game is called EA SPORTS FC, but the controls build on the old FIFA layout, so if you played FIFA you will feel at home quickly.
Still playing FC 26 or FC 25? The controls for older versions are in our FC 26 controls guide and FC 25 controls guide.
What's new in the FC 27 controls
These changes come from EA's official Pitch Notes (Gameplay Deep Dive, 29 July 2026):
Trigger a curved run
L1 + R1 (tap)LB + RB (tap)
Pass and follow run (passer follows with a curved run)
L1 + R1 + ✕LB + RB + A
Slip past opponents before a corner is taken
hold R1hold RB
Control attackers in the box before a corner arrives (move, switch, run, shield)
after choosing the targetafter choosing the target
Other changes that affect how you play:
- Manual runs now stop after a set distance. Trigger the run again if you want the player to keep going.
- Crosses land where you aim them and go into space more often, instead of locking on to a teammate. Headers need cleaner contact but are more accurate when you get it right.
- Through balls follow your stick direction exactly. Dinked passes are fully manual.
- Defending: AI defenders no longer auto-tackle a dribbler. Jockeying is faster and the standing tackle reaches further, so you need to switch and tackle yourself.
- Off-balance dribbling (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch 2): agile dribblers can stay on the ball after a bump. There is no button for it; it happens automatically.
Button legend
PlayStation: ✕ = Cross, ◯ = Circle, ▢ = Square, △ = Triangle. L = left stick, R = right stick, L3/R3 = press the stick. The tables use the default Classic layout. PS4 and PS5 use the same buttons; Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S too.
Movement
| Action | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Move player | L | L |
| Sprint | R2 | RT |
| Controlled sprint | R1 | RB |
| Shield / jockey | hold L2 | hold LT |
| Strafe dribble | L1 + L | LB + L |
| Stop and face goal | L1 (no direction) | LB (no direction) |
| Stop the ball | R2 (no direction) | RT (no direction) |
| Effort touch / controlled first touch | R1 + flick R | RB + flick R |
| Let the ball run | hold R1 + L away from the ball | hold RB + L away from the ball |
| Jostle (ball in the air) | L2 | LT |
| Skill moves | R | R |
Passing and crossing
| Action | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Ground pass / header | ✕ | A |
| Lob pass / cross / header | ▢ | X |
| Through ball | △ | Y |
| Driven ground pass | R1 + ✕ | RB + A |
| Lobbed through ball | L1 + △ | LB + Y |
| Dinked through ball | △ + △ | Y + Y |
| High lob / high cross | L1 + ▢ | LB + X |
| Driven lob / driven cross | L1 + R1 + ▢ | LB + RB + X |
| Ground cross | ▢ + ▢ | X + X |
| Precision ground pass | R1 + △ | RB + Y |
| Precision lob pass | R1 + ▢ | RB + X |
| Flair pass | L2 + ✕ | LT + A |
| Pass and go | L1 + ✕ | LB + A |
| Pass and follow (new) | L1 + R1 + ✕ | LB + RB + A |
| Trigger run | L1 | LB |
| Trigger curved run (new) | L1 + R1 | LB + RB |
| Call for support | R1 | RB |
Shooting
| Action | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Shot / volley / header | ◯ | B |
| Finesse shot | R1 + ◯ | RB + B |
| Chip shot | L1 + ◯ | LB + B |
| Power shot | L1 + R1 + ◯ | LB + RB + B |
| Low driven shot | ◯ + ◯ (tap again after power-up) | B + B |
| Low driven finesse shot | R1 + ◯ + ◯ | RB + B + B |
| Flair shot | L2 + ◯ | LT + B |
Defending
| Action | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Change player | L1 | LB |
| Change player manually | R (flick) | R (flick) |
| Standing tackle / push or pull | ◯ | B |
| Hard tackle | R1 + ◯ | RB + B |
| Slide tackle | ▢ | X |
| Contain | hold ✕ | hold A |
| Teammate contain | hold R1 | hold RB |
| Jockey | hold L2 | hold LT |
| Sprint jockey | L2 + R2 | LT + RT |
| Clearance | ◯ | B |
| Professional foul | R1 + ✕ | RB + A |
| Goalkeeper rush out | hold △ | hold Y |
Goalkeeper
| Action | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Throw / pass | ✕ | A |
| Drop kick | ◯ or ▢ | B or X |
| Driven throw | R1 + ✕ | RB + A |
| Driven kick | R1 + ▢ | RB + X |
| Drop ball | △ | Y |
| Pick up ball | R1 | RB |
| Move goalkeeper (before set pieces) | hold R3 + R | hold R3 + R |
Set pieces
Corners (new in FC 27)
After you pick where the ball should go, the camera moves to the box and you get a short moment to control your attackers: move, switch players, make a run, shield – and hold R1 / RB to slip through the crowd. Players no longer move automatically to the best spot, so you have to time the run yourself. Short corners go back to your normal camera.
| Action | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Lofted cross | ▢ | X |
| Short pass | ✕ | A |
| Aim | L | L |
| Slip past opponents (new) | hold R1 | hold RB |
| Corner tactics menu | D-pad ↓ | D-pad ↓ |
Free kicks
| Action | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Aim | L | L |
| Shot | ◯ | B |
| Ground pass / lob | ✕ / ▢ | A / X |
| Select kick taker | R2 | RT |
| Add second kick taker | L2 | LT |
| Add third kick taker | R1 | RB |
| Wall jump / wall charge (defending) | △ / ✕ | Y / A |
| Move the wall | L2 or R2 | LT or RT |
Penalties
| Action | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Aim | L | L |
| Shot | ◯ | B |
| Finesse / chip | R1 + ◯ / L1 + ◯ | RB + B / LB + B |
| Goalkeeper: move along the line | L | L |
| Goalkeeper: dive | R + direction | R + direction |
Throw-ins
| Action | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Short throw | ✕ | A |
| Long throw | ▢ | X |
| Fake throw | ▢ + ✕ | X + A |
Tactics (D-pad)
| Action | Input |
|---|---|
| Quick tactics (offside trap, team press, extra striker, get in the box) | ↑ then ↑ / ← / → / ↓ |
| Change game plan (defensive / balanced / attacking) | → then direction |
| Your custom tactics | ← then direction |
| Substitutions | ↓, ↓ |
Skill moves
Skill moves are done with the right stick (R). Each player has a skill rating from 1 to 5 stars, and only players with enough stars can perform the harder moves. The full list of moves for FC 27, including the new ones, is coming soon.
Nintendo Switch and Switch 2
On Switch, the buttons are in the same position as on PlayStation, but they have different names:
| PlayStation | Switch |
|---|---|
| ✕ | B |
| ◯ | A |
| ▢ | Y |
| △ | X |
| L1 / R1 | L / R |
| L2 / R2 | ZL / ZR |
Example: a finesse shot is R1 + ◯ on PlayStation and R + A on Switch. Off-balance dribbling and The Grounds are only available on Switch 2, not on the original Switch.
PC
On PC, FC 27 supports PlayStation and Xbox controllers – the Xbox column applies. You can play with mouse and keyboard and change every key under Settings → Controls, but most players use a controller.
Tips for the new controls
- Use curved runs to beat offside traps. L1 + R1 sends the runner into space on a curve. Since runs now stop after a while, trigger them again if needed.
- Defend yourself. Jockey with L2 / LT and time your tackles with ◯ / B. Waiting for AI teammates to win the ball no longer works.
- Practise corners in the Practice Arena. The new box control takes a few attempts to time well.
- Aim your crosses. They go where you point them, so look for the space, not the player.
FAQ
What are the new controls in FC 27?
Curved runs (L1 + R1 / LB + RB), the pass and follow run (L1 + R1 + ✕ / LB + RB + A) and player control in the box at corners (hold R1 / RB to slip past opponents).
Are the FC 27 controls the same as FC 26?
Mostly yes. The Classic layout is unchanged; FC 27 adds new runs and corner controls and makes defending more manual.
How do I change the controls in FC 27?
Go to Settings → Controls (or Controller Settings). There you can switch between Classic and Alternate, and change assistance settings like passing or auto-switching.
Do PS4 and PS5 have the same controls?
Yes. Some features such as off-balance dribbling are only on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Switch 2, but the buttons are the same.
Changelog
- 24 Oct 2026: guide updated for FC 27 (new runs, corners, defending changes).
Sources
- EA: Pitch Notes – FC 27 Gameplay Deep Dive (29 Jul 2026)
- EA: FC 27 gameplay features
- In-game controls screen of EA SPORTS FC 27 (checked on 27 October 2026)