World Cup fantasy football squads are build across the globe as football fans prepare for a feast of football across North America this summer.
Set to begin on June 11, the world’s most prestigious tournament is back, and will take place three host countries - the United States, Mexico and Canada. The biggest tournament in it’s history, 48 nations will to compete for the ultimate prize.
A host of the sports’ biggest stars are available to pick in your fantasy football squad. However, with a budget of €100 million, making sure you choose the right names is paramount to your household bragging rights!
Starting to to build your fantasy team and finding it difficult to narrow down where to spend big, where to save, and who the biggest bargains are? Having a dilemma over where to save money, and where to spend it? Which defenders will offer you a potential goal bonus, and which can virtually guarantee you a clean sheet in the group stages?
Luckily for you, there’s no need to panic over your team selection, as we’ve put together a list of the must pick defenders and budget option centre-backs that will fit each and every throughout the group stage.
Here are 8 of the best defenders that will fit every World Cup 2026 Fantasy Football budget this summer:
1. Gabriel - Brazil - 5.5m
An elite-level defender that will cost you a pretty penny, but the Arsenal centre-back is one of those must-buys in the early stages of the tournament. Playing against Morocco, Scotland and Haiti in Group C, his side will be favourites in each of their group stage fixtures. A major threat from corners, he can add clean sheet points with added goal bonuses. Costly, but worth it. | Getty Images
2. Johan Mojica - Colombia - 3.9m
An bargain choice in your backline, 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. | Getty Images
3. Julian Ryerson - Norway - 4.2m
An absolutely essential pick for your squad at the price. Set to face Iraq and Senegal in their opening two games, the Borussia Dortmund full-back will be key for Stale Solbakken's side. Registered an outstanding 15 assists in the Bundesliga this season, creating more chances than 98 per cent of other full-backs in the division. Sign him up. | Getty Images
4. David Raum - Germany - 4.9m
Desperate to succeed after going out at the group stage in the last two World Cups, the German national side arrives in North America with a real point to prove to the world. Favourites to win a group that includes Curacao, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador, the RB Leipzig left-back has excellent set-piece delivery. Tasked with finding 6ft7in striker Nick Woltemade from corners, Raum has a strong chance picking up clean sheet and assist points for your squad. | Getty Images