With the World Cup 2026 fantasy football team submission deadline now closed, enthusiasts across the UK will be eagerly watching their chosen players. The tournament's expansion to 48 teams has significantly broadened the player pool, presenting both opportunities and challenges for fantasy managers aiming to build a winning 15-man squad from over 1,200 available players.
Despite the vast selection, familiar names like England's Harry Kane, Norway's Erling Haaland, and France's Kylian Mbappe, all priced at £10.5m, are still expected to dominate many line-ups. These forwards are considered strong contenders for the Golden Boot, making them almost indispensable choices. However, success in the game will depend on identifying value picks and tactical substitutions, especially with new features such as '12th man' and 'maximum captain' chips, and the ability to substitute players during a round of matches.
Strategic initial spending is advised, as unlimited transfers will become available after the group stage, allowing managers to adapt their squads based on early tournament performances. For goalkeepers, Spain's Unai Simon (£5m) is a prime candidate if he secures the starting spot ahead of David Raya, benefiting from Spain's favourable group fixtures. In defence, attacking full-backs such as Morocco's Achraf Hakimi (£6m), Portugal's Nuno Mendes (£5.8m), and the Netherlands' Denzel Dumfries (£5.7m) are expensive but offer significant attacking threat alongside clean-sheet potential. Brazil's Gabriel Magalhaes (£5.5m) is also noted for his set-piece prowess.
Midfielders like Portugal's Bruno Fernandes (£8.5m) are seen as particularly good value. Spain's Lamine Yamal (£10m) is a high-priced option, though his fitness for their opening match against Cape Verde remains a concern. For those looking to balance their budget after investing in top forwards, mid-tier midfielders such as Turkey's Arda Guler (£7m), Morocco's Brahim Diaz (£6.4m), and Scotland's Scott McTominay (£6.5m) could prove pivotal, capable of producing crucial moments.
Defensive value can be found in players like Spain's Marc Cucurella (£5.1m), the cheapest starting Spanish defender, and Ecuador's goalkeeper Hernan Galindez (£4.2m), supported by a solid defensive unit that has conceded only six goals in their last 19 games. Iran striker Mehdi Taremi (£6.1m) is also highlighted as an excellent value pick in an open group, while Germany's Kai Havertz (£7.8m) could capitalise on a potentially high-scoring fixture against Curacao.
These selections offer a blend of established stars and potential breakout performers, crucial for navigating the expanded World Cup fantasy landscape. UK players will be keen to see if their calculated risks and strategic choices pay off as the tournament progresses.