WORLD CUP 2026

Fantasy Football Guide.

Player pricing - Bargins, Hidden Gems & MUST HAVES.

This thread is mainly going to be personal opinion, and there will be some bias opinions, but I’m happy to share and help out as much as I can. To make it easier, I’ll break it down in positional categories, and I’ll give reasonings as to why these are my favourites from each position. The general rule, is going to be looking at the player/teams path, and how far they could potentially go. Hidden gems are normally from teams that are underdogs, but there are also a few hidden within the top teams that could play more than just 3 group stage games.

Hidden Gem - 💎

Bargain Buy - 💰

Must Have - 🔒

GK/DEF.

🔒Costa - Portugal - 6M

Portugal are expected to have a fairly deep run into the later stages of the World Cup. Portugal are a very strong, compact defence that can limit opponents opportunities. During qualifying, Portugal conceded 7 goals in 6 games, with the Porto goalkeeper being a key factor. For Porto, he’s not conceded more than 2 goals in his last 30 games, and conceded under 2 goals in 26 of those, including 14 clean sheets. According to basic stats, Portugal have a 50% clean sheets opportunity in both game week 1 & 2, with Colombia being their toughest test during the groups. For their run of games, and their expectations of reaching the final, Costa is a must have goal keeper.

💎💰🔒Bono - Morocco - 5M

Similar to Portugal, Morocco are expected to have a run into the later stages of the World Cup. During the 2022 World Cup, Morocco only allowed opponents to score 1 goal in 5 games, and their defensive structure was key to knocking out Spain and Portugal on their way to the semi final. They are very hard to break down, and this translates well, because during AFCON, they conceded just 1 goal in 6 games, (not including the final) keeping 5 clean sheets. Similar story for their World Cup qualifying, only conceding 2 goals in their 8 games. Bono is going to be defended by a brick wall, but he himself is also a solid shot stopper. With Morocco’s solid defence, and proof from 4 years ago that they can compete with the best, and stop elite teams scoring, Bono is a hidden gem, bargain buy & a must have all in one.

💎Itakura - Japan - 5M

Japan have developed into one of the most defensively solid international teams outside the traditional elite, conceding roughly 0.6 goals per game with a clean sheet rate of around 58% in recent matches and qualifiers, having multiple shutouts and dominant wins, including 5 clean sheet victories most recently. Japan are consistently able to beat top European teams, having already beaten Spain, Scotland, Germany and England recently while only conceding 3 goals. Japan face 2 European teams which they should be able to limit, and could progress past the group and the first knockout round. Itakura is a crucial part of the Japanese defence, and is the most consistent player in their back 4. It’s risky taking someone like Itakura when they have to face the likes of Netherlands and Sweden, but they’ve proven they can take down elite European teams, making Itakura a hidden gem.

🔒Kimmich - 6.5M

Kimmich will be attending his 3rd World Cup, and germanys will expectations headed into this tournament will be to reach the final. Germany have the tools to be able to dominate teams as shown in recent years, scoring a lot, and conceding little. Most recently in World Cup qualifying, Germany managed 7 wins and 1 draw, along with 27 goals scored, 5 conceded, and 5 clean sheets. Key to both defence and attack for Germany, is and has been for many years, Kimmich. For Germany during the nations league, he managed 2 goals and 6 assists, and during qualifying he added 2 goals and 1 assist. For Bayern be totalled 2 goals and 13 assists in all competitions, as well as 16 clean sheets. Kimmich plays mainly at right back, but has also played as a holding midfielder, but wherever he plays, he’s going to influence the game, especially during the group stage where he and Germany should shine.

💰Akanji - Switzerland - 5M

Switzerland are favourites in their group, and it’s hard not to see why, Facing Canada, Bosnia and Qatar. The Swiss conceded just 2 goals in 6 matches during qualifying, while also keeping 4 clean sheets. Opponents managed only 9 shots on target against them during the entire campaign, highlighting how difficult they were to break down. These facts and stat are spearheaded by Akanji, who is the most influential and the most important part of the defence for Switzerland. Canada, Bosnia and Qatar should all be reasonable to overcome. 5M for a defender who’s got a real chance at helping his team to potentially 3 clean sheets? Bargain Buy.

MID.

💎Semenyo - 6.5M

Ghana have themselves a tough group having to face England and Croatia who have both been regular teams in the knockout phases of tournaments. Ghana were one of africas top attacking teams during qualifying with almost 2 goals per game, 4 shots on target per game, and multiple multi goal wins. Their attack turned a corner last season, with Semenyos club form translating into country form too. His direct approach gave his country 8 goal contributions, with the additional 28 at club level, he’s a true one to watch In a group that Ghana will need his attacking abilities to progress. With Ghana potentially being overlooked by England and Croatia, Semenyo could be a hidden gem.

💰Guler - 7.5M

This group is a strange one for me. Turkey will  have to face USA, Paraguay and Australia, all of whom are at an average level. All 4 teams are ranking inside the top 40 in fifa world rankings, with USA being ranked the highest, which I think makes Turkey hugely under appreciated. Turkey were the 4th highest scoring team during euro 24, and carried that momentum into World Cup qualifying with big results against Spain, & bulgaria before winning their playoffs against Romania and Kosovo. Key to their success, is a young core, lead by Guler. Guler burst into the scene with a worldie against Georgia in euro 24, and carried that momentum into qualifying where he added 5 contributions in 7 games. For Madrid, he registered 19 goal contributions. With Turkey often building attacks around Guler, I think he’s a bargain buy with the potential to be a huge points scorer.

💎💰Paz - 6.5M

Paz might not be a hidden gem so much given the hype he has around his name headed into this tournament, but he’s a young and exciting player. Argentina went unbeaten during copa America, scoring 9 goals along the way, and  recorded 12 wins during World Cup qualifying, scoring a further  31 goals in 18 games. Paz hasn’t contributed too much to Argentina just yet, but is considered a huge star for them after his breakout season for como where he was a top attacking threat statistically in the serie a

With 18 goal involvements. The only downside to Paz, is how much or when he will feature, as he has only started 1 of his last 5 games for Argentina - so many a bargain buy to keep an eye on in terms of the Argentina lineups.

💎Al-Dawsari - 6M

In my opinion, a true hidden gem. Al-Dawsari has been Saudi Arabia’s standout player over the last two years and arguably the most influential Asian attacker during that period. Al Dawsari has won Asian player of the year twice, and it’s hard to argue against that with his stats over the last 2 seasons for Al Hilal. He’s played 99 games, scored 51 goals, and 28 assists. Internationally solid too, with a further 17 contributions in 26 matches. In a group with Spain, Cape Verde & Uruguay, goals will be needed, and he’s the guy to go to for Saudi, especially in the games against Uruguay and Cape Verde.

💰🔒Bruno - 10M

BRUNO BRUNO BRUNO🎶 - As a United fan, I’ve seen him play consistently and regularly for years upon years, and he’s an absolute world class player, arguably one of the best midfielders in the world right now. World record breaker this season with the most premier league assists in a season with 21 as cemented himself as a premier league and man united great. For Portugal, he has that same influence. Portugal have been great during the most recent nations league and World Cup qualifying campaign, scoring 24 goals in 8 games during qualifying, and 14 in 6 national league games. Bruno will be crucial for Portugals chances this year. Expected goals for Portugal’s game week 1 & 2 are around 2.5, so with a group where they could comfortably get atleast 7 points and a run into the later knockout stages, Bruno is a bargain buy, and a must have at 10M.

Side Note:

From a betting perspective, I have Bruno for the golden ball winner (best player in the tournament). Interestingly, the most assists from a player during a World Cup tournament is 6, well within reach for Bruno given their group and expectations.

FOR.

💎💰Cunha - 7.5M

Probably my favourite hidden gem, and bargain buy from the list. This one is more of a potential upside than relying on stats. Brazil are my pick to win the whole tournament, and Brazil have themselves a nice group with Morocco being their biggest threat, Scotland and haiti should be straight forward wins. Brazil actually had themselves a tougher qualifying, finishing 5th after scoring 24 goals. It seems Brazil got a little too comfortable and tried to breeze through. Cunha had a solid first season at man united with 12 contributions in 29 starts. For brazil he’s not had stats that make you jump up and down, but he’s got the potential to have a huge tournament. Cunha has started 5 of the last 6 games for Brazil, with 4 of those being used as the main central striker. Thiago is a threat to him for that main striker role, but Cunha has so far had the most game time from the two even despite Thiago having a huge season. If Cunha can solidify this position, he could be a low ownership, high potential, hidden gem & a bargain buy at 7.5M.

💎Schick - 7.5M

Czechia qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 2006 after a a solid nations league, and qualifying showing some really good attacking output, with 10 goals in 6 nations league games, and 19 goals in 8 qualifiers. Czechia have shown they can compete with teams in recent years, and this group allows them to do just that. Less by their talisman striker, Schick who has 23 goals 4 assists in all competitions for club this year. He also has 5 goals in their 8 qualifiers, putting him in good form headed into the tournament. With this group being all to play for, I expect Czechia to push on and compete for top spot with the help from their top striker and a hidden gem - Schick.

Disclaimer:

This is NOT a suggestion for a team as a whole, just players to help build out your own teams.

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