Every football fan has, at some point, imagined themselves as the manager. Whether it’s predicting your team’s starting eleven before a big match, debating tactics with friends, or creating your own “dream XI,” lineups are at the heart of football culture.

Traditionally, drawing up a lineup meant scribbling names on a piece of paper or creating clunky tables in Word or Excel.

Guilty as charged. I used to create lineups in high school during class! But in today’s world of instant sharing and social media, fans want graphics that look sharp, professional, and ready to be posted online. That’s exactly where TeamCreator.com comes in.

With just a few clicks, you can build a polished graphic that looks like it came straight from a sports broadcaster. In case of some journalists (and we don't want to point any fingers) it looks even better!

Here’s how to create the perfect football lineup graphic in minutes.

Step 1: Choose Your Template and Format

Before you start assembling your lineup, choose a template first. We have over 300 gorgeous templates that will help you create stunning lineups. You can search for club and country inspired templates or use our color filter to find the right fit for your team.

After finding the right template, choose the social media format, each has something different to offer. If you posting on Youtube, you will be using the Youtube Thumbnail, if you're sharing on Instagram…the square format is ideal for you etc.

Step 2: Edit the Text and Replace Logo Marks

Now you can simply replace the text on the chosen template with your own and upload your own logos.

Step 3: Add Formation

First, choose between the "jersey" or "shape" option to display your players. Before adding any names, you’ll want to settle on your formation. Are you going classic with a 4-4-2, modern with a 4-3-3, or with high-flying wingers on a 4-3-2-1? Your choice of formation sets the stage for your lineup and tells a story about your football philosophy.

If you’re sharing with friends, the formation can be part of the fun. Will you stack the midfield, play with three up front, or go park the bus with five at the back? With TeamCreator, switching formations is just a click away.

Step 4: Add Player Names and Their Jersey Numbers

Once your formation is locked in, it’s time to bring your squad to life. Add player names to each position, whether it’s the actual starting XI for your favorite club or a custom mix of legends past and present.

Some fans like to recreate real matches, who they think should start this weekend. Others use the tool for fun, making lineups like “Best Left-Footed Players” or “My Friends’ Sunday League XI.” There’s no wrong way to do it.

Step 5: Choose the captain

What's a team without a captain? Roy Keane, Paolo Maldini, Lothar Matthäus… Some captains will remain stamped in echoes of history, forever. But, every team needs a captain, and inside TeamCreator, you get to pick the captain!

Unless, you are an influencer or journalist, and you have to let everybody know who the manager picked to captain the squad this Sunday. Sometimes it's not a debate, and sometimes there's a shock!

Step 6: Preview and Polish

Before you share your masterpiece, take a quick look at the overall layout. Does everything look balanced? Are player names spelled correctly? Does the formation reflect what you intended?

A few seconds of polish can turn a good lineup into a great one. Small touches like widening the players, and fixing long-letter last names (hello Lewandowski and Tchouaméni), dates, and stadium title.

Step 7: Share It With the World

Now comes the fun part. Once your lineup is ready, download it and post it directly to your favorite platform—Twitter (X), Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook or wherever your football circle hangs out (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram).

Lineups spark conversation. Some people will agree with your choices, others will argue (loudly), and before you know it, you’ve started a debate. That’s the beauty of football, there’s always room for opinions.

Why It Matters

At first glance, creating a lineup graphic might seem like just a bit of fun. But it’s more than that. It’s about being part of the match-day conversation, sharing your voice as a fan, and connecting with others who love the game as much as you do.

Whether you’re predicting tonight’s playoff match, celebrating your country’s all-time greats, or just making a funny lineup with your friends, tools like TeamCreator.com give you a simple way to express your passion for football.

And the best part? You don’t need design skills or special software. In just minutes, you can create a lineup graphic that looks like it belongs on TV.

Final Whistle

Football is a game of ideas, opinions, and creativity. With a lineup creator, you can bring those ideas to life visually and share them instantly. Next time you’re arguing about who should start, or building your fantasy XI, skip the pen and paper. Instead, create a lineup that looks as sharp as the game itself.

So, what’s your perfect XI?