FIFA 22 Tallest Defenders – Centre Backs (CB)

From open play and from set-pieces, tall players are a gift to any manager. When assembling any defence, prioritising tall centre backs is a must as they strive to win the aerial battle in both boxes, chipping in with all-important goals whilst cutting them out for your side too.

This article focuses on the tallest centre backs (CBs) in the game, with Ndiaye, Ezekwem, and Souttar being amongst the tallest in FIFA 22. We have ranked these defensive giants based on their height, their jumping rating, and the fact that their favoured position is centre back.

At the bottom of the article, you’ll find a full list of all of the tallest centre backs (CBs) in FIFA 22.

Pape-Alioune Ndiaye, Height: 6’8” (66 OVR – 72 POT)

Team: SC Rheindorf Altach
Age: 23
Height: 6’8”
Weight:156 lbs
Nationality: French
Best Attributes: 73 Strength, 73 Heading Accuracy, 71 Aggression

Playing in Austria’s top flight after a free transfer from Ukrainian side FC Vorskla Poltava, the 6’8” Pape-Alioune Ndiaye is the tallest centre back in FIFA 22 by a single centimetre.

Ndiaye made 40 first-team appearances for Vorskla over a two-year period, which is his longest spell at a club. He plied his trade in Italy and Spain before settling in Ukraine and Austria over the past couple of years.

Whilst his in-game attributes are fairly unremarkable, the fact that Ndiaye can also comfortably play in a holding midfield role makes him an interesting player to trial in such a role.

Cottrell Ezekwem, Height: 6’8” (61 OVR – 67 POT)

Team: SC Verl
Age: 22
Height: 6’8”
Weight:194 lbs
Nationality: German
Best Attributes: 92 Strength, 65 Heading Accuracy, 62 Standing Tackle

A product of Bayern Munich’s legendary youth setup, 22-year-old Ezekwem is now turning out for his fifth team since leaving the Bavarian giants at the age of 16.

The second-tallest centre back in FIFA 22 has enjoyed a decent start at new club Sportclub Verl, who reside in the third tier of German football. Interestingly, Ezekwem formerly played as a striker for 1860 München’s reserves, although his career as a centre back appears far more suitable given his physical gifts.

With such low overall and potential ratings, it probably isn’t worth picking him up in Career Mode. However, if you are a lower division side and you have £674,000 to spend, you could activate the young German’s release clause.

Harry Souttar, Height: 6’7” (71 OVR – 79 POT)

Team: Stoke City
Age: 22
Height: 6’7”
Weight:174 lbs
Nationality: Australian
Best Attributes: 84 Strength, 73 Defensive Awareness, 72 Interceptions

Harry Souttar is currently experiencing a breakout 2021/22 for a revitalised Stoke City, who are pushing for a playoff place in the Championship for the first time since their relegation from the Premier League four seasons ago.

The Scottish-born defender has spent the vast majority of his career with Stoke, but fans of the Socceroos are perhaps better acquainted with the 6’7” stopper. He’s bagged a phenomenal six goals in just five senior caps for the Australian national team.

He may not be the most mobile, but Souttar is worth snapping up in Career Mode as his 79 potential would suggest that he’s more than capable of playing in any of Europe’s top leagues. All you need to do is prise him away from the West Midlands – which you can for £7 million.

Till Cissokho, Height: 6’7” (62 OVR – 69 POT)

Team: US Quevilly-Rouen Métropole
Age: 21
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 194 lbs
Nationality: French
Best Attributes: 87 Strength, 70 Jumping, 69 Standing Tackle

Currently on-loan with US Quevilly in France’s second division, Clermont’s Till Cissokho is a young and extremely tall centre back finding his way in French football after impressively applying himself in Austrian football last season.

The former Bordeaux defender joined Clermont Foot on a free transfer at 19-years-old and made five senior appearances for his new side, helping them achieve a respectable fifth-place finish in Ligue 2 back in 2019/20.

Like others on this list, Cissokho doesn’t have a particularly high overall or potential rating, so signing him in your save may not be that profitable. He is still young, though, so if you’re managing a lower division side, Cissokho could be a decent buy in his favoured centre back position.

Enes Šipović, Height: 6’6” (65 OVR – 65 POT)

Team: Kerala Blasters FC
Age: 30
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 218 lbs
Nationality: Bosnian
Best Attributes: 89 Strength, 79 Stamina, 71 Jumping

Bosnia’s Enes Šipović is a nomadic centre-half, who, after joining Indian Super League outfit Kerala Blasters FC, is playing for his eleventh team in his twelve seasons as a professional footballer.

Football fans in Belgium, Romania, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and his native Bosnia will recognise his name, although he never settled for more than a couple of seasons in any one league. His physicality, in particular his 6’6” height and 218 lbs frame, have helped him carve out such an unconventional career path.

At a 65 overall and with his rating set to plummet in save games as he ages, it’s hard to justify signing the 30-year-old despite his fascinating career. His 89 strength could come in handy now and then, though.

Jannik Vestergaard, Height: 6’6” (78 OVR – 79 POT)

Team: Leicester City
Age: 28
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 212 lbs
Nationality: Danish
Best Attributes: 90 Strength, 85 Heading Accuracy, 85 Aggression

A regular in the Premier League ever since his arrival on the south coast for Southampton, Leicester City’s new signing is a talented centre back who, at 6’6”, is one of the most intimidating defenders in Europe.

Jannik Vestergaard has been a well-coveted defender throughout his career, with transfers between various clubs totalling north of £53 million. The clamour for his signature is easily justified, given his assured defensive performances in the Premier League and his penchant for burying headers – as outlined by his in-game 85 heading accuracy rating.

The big Dane is a worthwhile signing for any reputable side that can afford his services. However, his capped potential at 79 and his relative immobility doesn’t suit FIFA 22’s game mechanics, and there may be better long-term defensive options out there.

Tomáš Petrášek, Height: 6’6” (67 OVR – 68 POT)

Team: Raków Częstochowa
Age: 29
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 218 lbs
Nationality: Czech
Best Attributes: 96 Strength, 76 Jumping, 75 Heading Accuracy

He may have spent his entire career in lesser-known leagues, but Petrášek has amassed a considerable reputation in both Poland and Czechia as a lofty centre-half who has shown an innate ability to chip in with all-important goals wherever he’s played.

Ever since he arrived at Raków Częstochowa, the Czech defender has been a fan-favourite, which is hardly surprising considering that he has a record of scoring almost once every four games – an achievement some strikers would be proud of.

With two caps for the Czech national side, Petrášek is a talented footballer, but this doesn’t necessarily translate well into FIFA 22. At 29-years-old, his best years are probably behind him, and his 68 potential only makes him a valuable player for lower-calibre teams in Career Mode.

All of the tallest CBs on FIFA 22 Career Mode

In the table below, you’ll find all the biggest CBs in FIFA 22, sorted by their height and jumping rating. 

If you want the tallest CBs for your FIFA 22 Career Mode save, look to the table provided above.