The highest-rated defenders in FIFA 23

There is nothing more satisfying in the world of soccer than a well-timed tackle. The players that you will find below are the best of the best when it comes to defense and they know it. EA has released the ratings for all the players for the upcoming FIFA 23, their final one, and we have looked through them to get you the highest-rated defenders, which will help you decide who will be on your team.

Best defenders in FIFA 23

These are some of the most impressive players in the sport of soccer. Most fans can agree that soccer would be a lot less exciting without these great defenders doing their best to stop some of the best attackers out there. Without that physicality, the game just wouldn’t be as high stakes. This position group includes centerbacks (CB) and both sides of the fullback position (LB and RB).

Related: The highest-rated midfielders in FIFA 23

The highest-rated CBs in FIFA 23

This position has been dominated by guys like Virgil Van Dijk and Marquinhos for years. Those two stay at the top, but we’ve gotten some movement from players like Antonio Rudiger and Jules Kunde to shake up the top spots. Here are the top centerbacks in FIFA 23:

1. Liverpool CB Virgil Van Dijk (90 OVR)
2. PSG CB Marquinhos (88 OVR)
3. Manchester City CB Ruben Dias (88 OVR)
4. Real Madrid CB Antonio Rudiger (87 OVR)
5. Chelsea CB Kalidou Koulibaly (87 OVR)
6. Manchester City CB Aymeric Laporte (86 OVR)
7. Chelsea CB Thiago Silva (86 OVR)
8. Real Madrid CB David Alaba (86 OVR)
9. Inter Milan CB Milan Skriniar (86 OVR)
10. Dortmund CB Niklas Sule (85 OVR)
11. Bayern Munich CB Matthijs de Ligt (85 OVR)
12. Barcelona CB Jules Kounde (84 OVR)
13. Real Madrid CB Eder Militao (84 OVR)
14. Bayern Munich CB Lucas Hernandez (984 OVR)
15. AC Milan CB Fikayo Tomori (84 OVR)

The highest-rated RB/RWBs in FIFA 23

Again, we have several players at the top who have been there for a season or two. That said, someone who has made a big jump is Chelsea’s Reece James. Here are the highest-rated RB/RWBs in FIFA 23:

1. Liverpool RB Trent Alexander-Arnold (87 OVR)
2. Manchester City RB Kyle Walker (85 OVR)
3. PSG RB Achraf Hakimi (84 OVR)
4. Chelsea RWB Reece James (84 OVR)
5. Real Madrid RB Carvajal (84 OVR)
6. Newcastle United RB Kieran Trippier (84 OVR)
7. Juventus RB Juan Cuadrado (83 OVR)
8. Leicester City RB Ricardo Pereira (83 OVR)
9. Sevilla RB Jesus Navas (83 OVR)
10. Bayern Munich RB Noussair Mazraoui (82 OVR)

The highest-rated LB/LWBs in FIFA 23

Joao Cancelo was highly rated in FIFA 22, but he’s made the jump to being the highest-rated fullback on either side of the ball in FIFA 23. Joining him are several big names like Theo Hernandez and Alphonso Davies. Here are the highest-rated LB/LWBs in FIFA 23:

1. Manchester City LB Joao Cancelo (88 OVR)
2. Liverpool LB Andrew Robertson (87 OVR)
3. AC Milan LB Theo Hernandez (85 OVR)
4. Barcelona LB Jordi Alba (85 OVR)
5. Sevilla LB Marcos Acuna (85 OVR)
6. Bayern Munich LB Alphonso Davies (84 OVR)
7. Real Madrid LB Ferland Mendy (83 OVR)
8. Hoffenheim LWB Angeino (83 OVR)
9. Inter Milan LWB Robin Gosens (83 OVR)
10. Athletic Bilbao Yuri Berchche (82 OVR)