If you’re a seasoned Fantasy Football player then you know one of the golden rules for success is identifying a few cheap players capable of delivering points on a regular basis.
Less than three weeks after another season of Fantasy Premier League drew to a close, we’re turning our attention to the World Cup equivalent and thinking about bargain buys.
That’s because a $100m budget, which shoots up to $105m for the knockout rounds, leaves little wiggle room for the premium players you’ll need to form the backbone of your team.
A limit of three players per nation is in place for the group stage before steadily increasing as the tournament progresses and we’re all hunting for a bit of value. Who will you select ahead of the tournament?
RadioTimes.com brings you a round-up of the best World Cup 2026 Fantasy Football bargain players to sign.
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Best World Cup 2026 fantasy bargain goalkeepers
Gregor Kobel (Switzerland) $4.7m
Switzerland were a lean, mean defensive machine during qualification as they conceded just two goals in six games. Gregor Kobel sits behind a settled defence that has the potential for clean sheets in the group stage as they face Qatar, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Canada. The 28-year-old heads to the tournament in good form after a decent campaign at club level for Borussia Dortmund.
Sergio Rochet (Uruguay) $4.1m
Uruguay posted some of the best defensive numbers in South American qualification as they conceded only 18 goals in 18 games and kept 10 clean sheets in the process. Being in the same group as Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde means Sergio Rochet should bag points early doors. Rochet faces a challenge from Fernando Muslera for the starting role, but he has been handed the number-one shirt.
Best World Cup 2026 fantasy bargain defenders
Vladimír Coufal (Czechia) $3.6m
A familiar face to West Ham fans, Vladimír Coufal heads to the World Cup off the back of a smashing season with Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, where he chipped in with nine assists and one goal. Coufals set to play as a wing-back because Czechia boss Miroslav Koubek favours a three-man defence, which means he has the upside of being involved in attacking moments. There’s also the potential for clean sheets due to Group A lacking a standout team.
Luc De Fougerolles (Canada) $3.5m
Fulham youngster Luc De Fougerolles looks set to start at the heart of Canada’s defence as centre-back Moïse Bombito is struggling to prove his fitness. The 20-year-old caught the eye in pre-tournament friendlies and enters calculations due to his rock-bottom price. Canada’s best chance of a clean sheet could come against Qatar in their second group game.
Best World Cup 2026 bargain midfielders
Granit Xhaka (Switzerland) $6.2m
Granit Xhaka offers multiple routes to scoring as tackles and creating chances rack up points in addition to clean sheets, assists and goals. Switzerland’s midfield maestro is likely to be on penalties and he should be playing in the tournament beyond the group stage as Qatar, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Canada aren’t the toughest of opponents. Xhaka looks like an affordable pick.
John Yeboah (Ecuador) $5.1m
We’re shopping in the bargain bin for an exciting winger and Ecuador’s John Yeboah could be just the ticket. The 25-year-old brings plenty of pace to the table and provided 20 goal contributions in 34 appearances for his club, Venezia, in Serie B this term. He assisted twice in a recent friendly against Saudi Arabia and could snag the odd point for a clean sheet due to Ecuador’s defensive strength.
Best World Cup 2026 bargain forwards
Luis Suárez (Colombia) $5.7m
No, not that one. Colombia’s Luis Suárez enjoyed the season of his life at club level after bagging 38 goals and nine assists in 53 appearances for Sporting CP. Colombia will look to rack up the goals against Uzbekistan and DR Congo in their opening games to guarantee progression to the knockout stages. He’s been averaging two shots on target per game for Sporting, a stat that would earn him an additional point in World Cup 2026 Fantasy Football.
Ayoub El Kaabi (Morocco) $5.9m
Morocco were the surprise package at the last World Cup and the African nation will be hoping for another successful tournament. Ayoub El Kaabi scored three goals in three friendlies in the build up to the World Cup and struck four times in qualifying. Morocco face a tricky opener against Brazil, but kinder fixtures against Scotland and Haiti represent scoring opportunities.
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