Build around the players you actually own, not an all-S-tier dream lineup. Pocket Gamer’s Captain Tsubasa: Ace tier list, updated October 5, 2026 for version 1.9.0, is a useful shortlist—but it is Mihail Katsoris’s assessment of the meta, not an official ranking or a complete formation. Start by covering goalkeeper, defense, midfield, and forward roles, then use tier, rarity, and player skills to choose the best fits from your roster.
How to use the tier list when building a team
- Check your available roster. The best practical team is built from players you can field. Do not plan around a tier-list name you do not have.
- Cover the four roles. Make sure your options include a goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, and forwards before optimizing for individual rankings.
- Use S tier as a shortlist. The list has S-tier players in all four roles, but it does not prescribe one lineup or establish a tested formation. Choose players whose positions and skills suit the team you can assemble.
- Compare alternatives by role and skills. If an S-tier option is unavailable or does not fit, consider an A-tier player and how that player complements your strongest choices.
Katsoris explicitly cautions that “there’s no absolute tier list.” The rankings consider player stats, skills, and available options, while the list also notes that the game has more midfielders and forwards than goalkeepers. A high tier is a useful signal, not proof that a player belongs in every lineup.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Captain Tsubasa II: World Fighters - Nintendo Switch | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions - PlayStation 4 | $31.30 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions - Nintendo Switch | $71.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions/PS4 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Captain Tsubasa 2 (Nintendo Switch) | $73.89 | Buy on Amazon |
Players ranked S tier, by position
The following entries reproduce Pocket Gamer’s October 5, 2026 version 1.9.0 tier and position labels. The rankings are Katsoris’s assessment, not independently tested results.
| Position | S-tier players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper (GK) | Genzo Wakabayashi (SSR); Ken Wakashimazu (SSR) |
| Defender (DF) | Makoto Soda (SSR); Makoto Soda (JY) (SSR); Torino (SSR); Galvan (SSR); Shingo Takasugi (SR); Ryo Ishizaki (SSR); Hiroshi Jito (SSR) |
| Midfielder (MF) | Jun Misugi (SSR); Kazuo Tachibana (SSR); Hanji Urabe (SSR); Taro Misaki (SSR); Kaltz (SSR); Tsubasa Ozora (SSR); Takeshi Sawada (SSR); Hikaru Matsuyama (SSR) |
| Forward (FW) | Roberto (Brazil) (SSR); Masao Tachibana (SSR); Shun Nitta (SSR); Napoleon (SSR); Shinji Sanada (SR); Kojiro Hyuga (SSR) |
The list has two S-tier goalkeepers and more midfielders and forwards than goalkeepers. That imbalance is a reason to make sure the team covers its roles rather than trying to select the highest number of top-ranked names.
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- A SOCCER WORLD THAT IS BIGGER THAN BEFORE! Featuring 22 national teams, over 110 playable characters, and more than 150 cutscenes highlighting moves on the pitch!
- NEW AND IMPROVED GAMEPLAY! Action on the field has been significantly enhanced! New super moves increase the intensity of every part of the game. Now, even when you pass, dribble, tackle or block, you can dominate the field with your own special techniques.
How to weigh tier, rarity, and role
Do not make rarity the only filter
Most S-tier entries are SSR, but Shingo Takasugi and Shinji Sanada are S-tier SR players. Pocket Gamer calls them notable SR options, so they are worth considering if they fit the positions you need. The list also describes A-tier players as solid choices, particularly alongside strong S-tier players. An A-tier player can be a more useful team choice than an S-tier name that does not fit your available lineup.
Use player descriptions to find complementary skills
The list highlights several midfielders with distinct strengths. Tsubasa Ozora is described as an all-round midfielder with dribbling, passing, and shooting strengths. His “Undead Wings” skill boosts technique and dribbling when he uses a skill. Jun Misugi is noted for dribbling, intercepting, and shooting. Taro Misaki can advance play, provide a final pass, or score; his passive can trigger an auto-dribble against a tackle, and successful dribbling buffs his shot attribute.
Rank #2
- The worlds of Soccer and Anime converge in Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions, based on the renowned Captain Tsubasa series.
- The game chronicles the athletic exploits of Tsubasa Ozora as he plays out his love for the game and advances through the ranks of multiple Soccer leagues.
- Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions immerses players in an action packed soccer game that features exhilarating gameplay, over the top signature shots and accessible gameplay.
- Execute powerful offensive and defensive moves to gain an advantage during the match.
- The pitch comes to life with vivid anime-like graphics and characters from the beloved series! Multiple gameplay modes including Story Modes, Versus and Online Versus.
These descriptions can help you choose among players who could fill the same role. Consider what each option contributes to the team rather than assuming that tier placement alone tells you how to combine players.
Other listed options if your S-tier roster is incomplete
Pocket Gamer’s October 2026 snapshot also includes A- and B-tier players. They give you alternatives to consider when filling a role from the roster you have.
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- The worlds of Soccer and Anime converge in Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions, based on the renowned Captain Tsubasa series.
- The game chronicles the athletic exploits of Tsubasa Ozora as he plays out his love for the game and advances through the ranks of multiple Soccer leagues.
- Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions immerses players in an action packed soccer game that features exhilarating gameplay, over the top signature shots and accessible gameplay.
- Execute powerful offensive and defensive moves to gain an advantage during the match.
- The pitch comes to life with vivid anime-like graphics and characters from the beloved series! Multiple gameplay modes including Story Modes, Versus and Online Versus.
| Tier | Players and listed positions |
|---|---|
| A | Mitsuru Sano — FW — SSR; Taichi Nakanishi — GK — SR; Masao Nakayama — DF — SR; Koji Nishio — DF — SR; Mamoru Izawa — MF — SR; Hajime Taki — FW — SR |
| B | Tetsuo Ishida — MF — SR; Kuniaki Narita — MF — SR; Takeshi Kishida — MF — SR; Kazumasa Oda — FW — SR; Kazuki Sorimachi — FW — SR; Teppei Kisugi — FW — SR; Yuzo Morisaki — GK — SR |
Use these placements as guidance from the same dated, subjective list—not as guarantees about match outcomes or a reason to exclude a player you need for a functional roster.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When to revisit your choices
Pocket Gamer warns that updates and new character releases can change the meta. This advice reflects the list’s October 5, 2026 update for version 1.9.0; check the current list again after substantial game updates or character additions. No single formation or prescribed winning lineup is established by the tier list.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- A Football World That is Bigger Than Before! Featuring 22 national teams, over 110 playable characters, and more than 150 cut scenes highlighting moves on the pitch!
- New and Improved Gameplay: Action on the field has been significantly enhanced! New super moves increase the intensity of every part of the game. Now, even when you pass, dribble, tackle or block, you can dominate the field with your own special techniques. Even blocking goal shots gets more tactical!
Rank #4
- Execute powerful offensive and defensive moves to gain an advantage during the match.
- the pitch comes to life with vivid anime-like graphics and characters from the beloved series.
- multiple gameplay modes including story modes, versus and online versus
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
