There’s no rest for the wicked when it comes to Fantasy Football. Less than a few weeks after completing another Fantasy Premier League season, we turn our attention to the World Cup equivalent.
You thought you wouldn’t have to think about transfers and tactics for a few months, but here we are anticipating a summer of tinkering teams. If you had a disappointing FPL campaign, then this is your shot at redemption.
You have $100m to spend on the world’s best talent, which shoots up to $105m for the knockout rounds.
A limit of three players per nation is in place for the group stage before steadily increasing and superstars from the likes of Argentina and France to bargain buys from the tournament’s minnows are waiting to be signed. Who will you select ahead of the tournament?
Radio Times brings you a round-up of the best World Cup 2026 Fantasy Football players to sign.
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Best World Cup 2026 fantasy goalkeepers to sign
Unai Simón (Spain) $5m
Spain possess three world-class goalkeepers, although Unai Simón should get the nod between the sticks. The Euro 2024 winners kept five clean sheets in six qualifiers and are unlikely to concede many goals in the group stage as they face Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Simón is protected by a settled defence and he looks like a set-and-forget pick as Spain should enjoy a deep run.
Jordan Pickford (England) $4.8m
While Simon faces stiff competition for his spot, Jordan Pickford is England’s nailed-on starter in goal and available at a slightly cheaper price. The Three Lions didn’t concede a single goal during the qualification process and there’s potential for clean sheets in the group stage as Croatia aren’t the most dynamic team and Panama possess limited attacking threat. Pickford’s a proven shot-stopper on the international stage.
Best World Cup 2026 fantasy defenders to sign
Gabriel Magalhães (Brazil) $5.5m
Obviously, we were going to include Gabriel. You didn’t think we would leave him out, did you? After a prolific FPL season, the Brazilian looks a must-buy for any World Cup 2026 Fantasy Football player. As well as Brazil boasting a generous set of group-stage fixtures, Gabriel brings a threat from set-pieces to the table and plays for Carlo Ancelotti, who is renowned for building teams that are strong at the back.
Joshua Kimmich (Germany) $5.5m
As well as defensive returns, Joshua Kimmich could get in the mix at the other end of the pitch. Germany’s skipper regularly steps into midfield from right-back and gets in on the fun from set pieces. He pitched in with two goals and an assist in qualifying and looks appealing as a selection because Die Mannschaft should make light work of Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Best World Cup 2026 midfielders to sign
Michael Olise (France) $9.5m
A leading contender for the Golden Ball, awarded to the best player at the tournament, Michael Olise could be France’s main man in North America. The midfield magician provided 53 goal contributions in 52 appearances for Bayern Munich in the most recent season and warmed to the World Cup task by hitting a hat-trick against Northern Ireland in a recent friendly. He could run riot against Iraq in France’s second group game.
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) $8.5m
Bruno Fernandes heads into the World Cup fresh from breaking the Premier League assist record. Portugal’s prober has fewer defensive responsibilities for his country due to the presence of Vitinha and João Neves at the base of the midfield, thus allowing him to work his magic in attacking areas. Crucially, Fernandes has a high ownership and it looks better to keep him onside than take him on.
Best World Cup 2026 forwards to sign
Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) $8.1m
Mikel Oyarzabal hit six goals in qualifying and should enjoy a hot start to the tournament as Spain meet minnows Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in their opening fixtures. Oyarzabal might not be the sexiest name, but he’s in the mix to take the team’s penalties and arrives at the tournament off the back of a personal-best campaign in which he hit 18 goals in 40 appearances for Real Sociedad.
Julián Alvarez (Argentina) $8.6m
A proven asset, Julián Alvarez netted four times when Argentina lifted the trophy at the last World Cup. He will, of course, have Lionel Messi pulling the strings behind and the reigning champions don’t have the most difficult group as Algeria, Austria and Jordan should put up little resistance. Alvarez can get goals and assists from the start.
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