World Cup 2026 Fantasy Football: How to play, top tips, bargain buys and who you must include in your squad
World Cup 2026 Fantasy Football sides are being built across the country. Here are our top tips, bargain buys and how to play this summer
Have you developed World Cup 2026 fever yet? It has taken an age to arrive, but we are finally just days away from the tournament beginning in North America this month.
No tournament would be complete without a bit of Fantasy Football competitiveness throughout, though, would it? A major tournament without your superior football knowledge earning your bragging rights in the WhatsApp family group chat simply wouldn’t be the same.
Are you looking to get your squad set up and want some tips and tricks for who to pick in your squad? Here is everything you need to know about World Cup 2026 Fantasy Football, including how to play.
How do I play World Cup 2026 Fantasy Football?
To begin building your squad, head to the official FIFA website here. Firstly, you will need to log in or register an account on the FIFA World Cup 2026 Fantasy Football website and from there you can pick and manage your squad throughout the tournament. You will receive points based on each player’s real-life performance throughout the tournament.
World Cup 2026 Fantasy Football budget and how to pick your squad
Players will be able to choose a squad of 15 players who are playing at World Cup 2026, which must be two goalkeepers, five defenders, five midfielders and three forwards. From that squad, players must choose a starting XI in any formation. Each player will have a specific price attached to them, and you have a total squad budget of $100million with which to choose your squad. However, this rises to €105 million once World Cup 2026 enters the knockout stages of the tournament.
Transfers are available throughout, though the amount you can make for free will vary at each stage. A full list of the rules are available here. The most important part is picking a team name, and we’ve pieced together are some examples if you’re struggle for a funny Fantasy Football squad name here.
Which players are a ‘must pick’ for your World Cup 2026 Fantasy Football team?
Harry Kane - England - 10.5m
The most in-form striker in world football, England’s success at the World Cup will hinge on the form of Kane - and few would bet against him. One of the most expensive players in the game, he simply can’t be missed due to his impeccable scoring record this term. He’s scored a staggering 61 goals in all competitions for Bayern Munich, and will be fancied to add to his season tally for the Three Lions, who faced favourable games against Ghana and Panama in the group stage.
Bruno Fernandes - Portugal - 8.5m
The Manchester United captain has been in lethal form at Old Trafford this season, breaking the assist record in the English Premier League by laying on 21 goals for his teammates this season. Add in the fact that Portugal are favourites to win a group which contains DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia, Fernandes feels like a must pick.
Leandro Trossard - Belgium - 6.6m
The Arsenal playmaker has already shown his ability to deliver on the big stage for the Gunners this season, scoring several crucial goals in tight games for Mikel Arteta’s side, and he’ll be relied on to do the same for his national team this summer. Trossard costs less than Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku, but is likely to be just as important as the trio in a group that the Red Devils are expected to win fairly comfortably.
Lamine Yamal - Spain - 10m
Expensive? Certainly! But you simply can’t leave out the world’s top teenage talent. While it may feel smart to go for a different option than others in order to try and gain an advantage, leading Yamal out could lose you serious early points. Has scored 24 goals and assisted 17 for Barcelona this season, and will be relishing the World Cup this summer with Spain expected to dominate a group that includes Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
Who are the bargain buys for your World Cup 2026 Fantasy Football team?
Omar Marmoush - Egypt - 7.8m
While Belgium are expected to top Group G at the tournament, it would be no surprise if Egypt ran them close, such is the attacking talent in their ranks. While many consider putting Mohamed Salah into their squad, the Manchester City forward is a cheaper and perhaps even more reliable option than the Liverpool icon. He scored seven goals for the English Premier League giants, despite missing a chunk of the season through injury.
Johan Mojica - Colombia - 3.9m
An absolute bargain pick for your defence, Mojica is a regular starter in a robust Colombian side that is expected to qualify for the knockout stages fairly comfortably. Favourable group stage fixtures against Uzbekistan and DR Congo could see the Mallorca left-back pick up valuable clean sheet points.
Nico O’Reilly - England - 4.7m
Almost certain to start in the tournament as the Three Lions’ first-choice left-back, the Manchester City youngster has shown his ability to create from deep with nine goals and six assists from the Cityzens this season. England are expected to top the group, and O’Riley should bag you some valuable early points at a reasonable price.
Ben Gannon-Doak - 4.9m
Has Scotland ever stood a better chance of getting to the knockout stages of the World Cup? Probably not - and if they do, the flying AFC Bournemouth winger is likely to have something to do with it. With Steve Clarke’s side favourite win the first game against Haiti, and Gannon-Doak likely to start, take a chance on him at this criminally low price of 4.9million.
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