Where does 4-4-2 survive?
Share of line-ups still set out as 4-4-2 — a shape that has halved across the majors since 2016.
Segunda Liga (Portugal) keeps the faith: 60.8% of its line-ups are still 4-4-2.
| League | 4-4-2 | Line-ups |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Segunda Liga Portugal | 60.8% | 579 |
| 2. Segunda División Spain | 39.2% | 936 |
| 3. La Liga Spain | 38.3% | 760 |
| 4. Superettan Sweden | 32.4% | 222 |
| 5. Liga MX Mexico | 31.1% | 684 |
| 6. Super League China | 29.6% | 324 |
| 7. J1 League Japan | 26.5% | 612 |
| 8. Premier Soccer League South Africa | 25.6% | 394 |
| 9. League Two England | 22.6% | 1,108 |
| 10. A-League Australia | 20.7% | 294 |
| 11. Pro League United Arab Emirates | 19.7% | 264 |
| 12. Indian Super League India | 19.6% | 230 |
| 13. CONMEBOL Libertadores International | 19.2% | 307 |
| 14. Ligue 1 France | 19% | 764 |
| 15. Super League Switzerland | 18.4% | 364 |
| 16. Allsvenskan Sweden | 18.2% | 484 |
| 17. Liga I Romania | 17.9% | 615 |
| 18. Primeira Liga Portugal | 17.9% | 616 |
| 19. CONMEBOL Sudamericana International | 16.8% | 202 |
| 20. Liga Profesional Argentina Argentina | 16.7% | 246 |
| 21. Premier League England | 16.2% | 760 |
| 22. Pro League Saudi Arabia | 16% | 480 |
| 23. UEFA Nations League International | 15.8% | 336 |
| 24. EFL Trophy England | 15.7% | 254 |
| 25. Bundesliga Austria | 14.8% | 393 |
| 26. AFC Champions League Elite International | 14.6% | 240 |
| 27. Euro Championship International | 14.2% | 626 |
| 28. Serie A Brazil | 13.7% | 754 |
| 29. League One England | 13.2% | 1,114 |
| 30. First League Russia | 12.8% | 828 |
| 31. 3. Liga Germany | 12.7% | 756 |
| 32. Premiership Scotland | 12.7% | 466 |
| 33. Ligue 2 France | 12.4% | 764 |
| 34. Major League Soccer United States | 11.7% | 634 |
| 35. Ekstraklasa Poland | 11.3% | 478 |
| 36. 2. Liga Austria | 11.2% | 454 |
| 37. Premier League Egypt | 11.1% | 588 |
| 38. World Cup - Qualification Europe International | 10.5% | 516 |
| 39. Premier League Belarus | 10.5% | 430 |
| 40. UEFA Europa League International | 10.1% | 722 |
Showing every competition. Major competitions only
Exact formation as recorded. Variants such as 4-4-1-1 count separately.