World Cup Fantasy Tips: Best players, hidden gems and differentials

The World Cup is nearly upon us and those seeking a Fantasy Football fix have had their prayers answered with over 1,200 players to pick from 48 competing nations.

Players are tasked with building a 15-man squad for this summer's tournament, which commences on Thursday 11th June with Mexico's opening fixture against South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium.

Struggling to pick a team or scouring to find a hidden gem to gain an edge on friends and competitors? We've got you covered with a guide to all of the key players and potential differentials at the 2026 World Cup.

Essential World Cup Fantasy players

While unearthing the hidden gems in Fantasy Football is important, it's crucial you pick the high-value players that are guaranteed to return you points.

Goalkeepers

Jordan Pickford ($4.8m) - England's number one set a Three Lions record last year for most minutes without conceding and boasted a 100% clean sheet record in qualifying. Although Thomas Tuchel's defence looks far more vulnerable in comparison to previous versions at major tournaments, Pickford is still expected to rack up a number of shutouts, especially in a group where goals appear in scarce supply.

Defenders

Gabriel Magalhães ($5.5m) - Brazil defender Gabriel will be looking to bounce back from his agonising penalty miss in the UEFA Champions League final by marshalling the Seleção rearguard to World Cup glory. Clean sheets haven't been abundant for Brazil, but Carlo Ancelotti's pragmatism and knockout tournament nous will likely make the five-time winners difficult to breach.

Marc Guehi ($5.1m) - By the same token as Pickford, England's backline was impenetrable during qualifying and Guehi is one of the first names on the teamsheet. The Manchester City defender, like Gabriel, also offers a set-piece threat.

Nuno Mendes ($5.8m) - Portugal's enterprising left-back arrives at the World Cup after another stellar season with Paris Saint-Germain where he contributed six goals and seven assists. Roberto Martinez's defence is not as watertight as other top teams, but they possess some excellent defensive individuals and Mendes is also a credible threat in the final third.

Achraf Hakimi ($6m) - You can't have one of Luis Enrique's marauding PSG full-backs without mentioning the other and Morocco captain Hakimi arrives at the World Cup with a clean bill of health after missing a portion of the season with a thigh injury. Resolute defensively and dangerous in the opposition half, Hakimi is vital to Morocco's hopes of replicating their 2022 success.

Joshua Kimmich ($5.5m) - Another full-back with excellent potential in the final third, the creativity and set-piece delivery of Germany's Kimmich means he is a popular pick this summer. The versatile Bayern Munich defender is a key cog in Julian Nagelsmann's blueprint and averaged a goal contribution every three matches in the Bundesliga last term.

Marc Cucurella ($5.1m) - Chelsea left-back Cucurella, who is the subject of interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid, is the cheapest route into Spain's backline and has the left-back spot nailed down.

La Roja were on course to go through qualifying without conceding before a 2-2 draw with Turkey in their concluding match, but Luis de la Fuente's men will be tough to breach while their path to the quarter-finals is likely to be generous.

Midfielders

Bruno Fernandes ($8.5m) - Off the back of a season where he set the record for most Premier League assists in a single season, Portugal creator Fernandes is impossible to ignore.

Michael Olise ($9.5m) - In a French team littered with attacking superstars, Olise appears to be arriving at the World Cup in the best form as he demonstrated his goalscoring prowess with an excellent hat-trick in Les Bleus' final warm-up match against Northern Ireland.

Lamine Yamal ($10m) - Concerns were raised over Yamal's availability during the early stages of the tournament after suffering a hamstring injury at the end of April, but once he is deemed fit to start for Spain, he is essential to your fantasy plans.

Luis Diaz ($8.1m) - Colombia's hopes at the World Cup rest on the shoulders of in-form Bayern Munich winger Diaz, and he will be eager to show the world what he can do ahead of his first-ever World Cup. Diaz scored 26 goals and registered 19 assists in all competitions this season, while averaging a goal every three games for Colombia.

Jamal Musiala ($8m) - Germany are an intriguing proposition at this summer's tournament and their creative ranks are led by Musiala, who finished the season strongly for Bayern Munich after a campaign riddled with injuries and fitness issues.

Forwards

Harry Kane ($10.5m) - A fit and firing Kane is imperative if England are to have any chance of adding a second star to their shirts and fortunately for Tuchel, the Bayern Munich frontman arrives in arguably the best shape of his career with 61 club goals to propel himself into the Ballon d'Or conversation.

Kylian Mbappe ($10.5m) - With how Real Madrid's trophyless season unravelled, it can be easy to forget Mbappe still netted 40 goals for Los Blancos last season, including 15 from 11 appearances in the UEFA Champions League. France's talisman also comes alive on the World Cup stage, as demonstrated by his hat-trick in the 2022 final.

Erling Haaland ($10.5m) - Everyone will watch Norway and Haaland with great expectation as the free-scoring Manchester City striker appears in his first major international tournament. Scoring 27 goals in 35 Premier League appearances, Haaland will be key if Stale Solbakken's side are to progress from a tough group.

World Cup Fantasy hidden gems & differentials

Every Fantasy player wants to pick an unheralded individual to rack up the points and we've identified players who are owned by less than 10% of people that could have a strong World Cup.

Goalkeepers

Gregor Kobel (Switzerland) - Owned by 6.5%, costs $4.7m

Switzerland boasted one of the best defences in European qualifying as they conceded just twice to finish top of Group B with an unbeaten record. Murat Yakin's men boast excellent tournament pedigree and feature in a group which they will fancy topping against co-hosts Canada, Qatar and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Defenders

Joel Ordonez (Ecuador) Owned by 0.8%, costs $3.9m

Ecuador's mean defence conceded a remarkable five goals in 18 matches during CONMEBOL qualifying and prodigious Club Brugge defender is the cheapest route into their impenetrable backline, although his centre-back partner, the more prominent PSG star William Pacho, is another affordable option at $4.4m.

Jan Paul van Hecke (Netherlands) Owned by 1%, costs $4.3m

The Netherlands flaunt an intimidating central defensive unit which includes Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven and Brighton star Van Hecke, who has established himself as a vital feature in Ronald Koeman's plans after another excellent season in the Premier League. Van Hecke is considerably cheaper than his centre-back partners, but could potentially yield the same returns if not more.

Julian Ryerson (Norway) Owned by 7.8%, costs $4.2m

Moving away from the centre-back options, Norway's dynamic right-back Ryerson could be a shrewd pick-up at just $4.2m. The 28-year-old contributed 15 assists in 31 matches for Borussia Dortmund last season, and Ryerson has Haaland to aim for in the penalty area.

Daniel Munoz (Colombia) Owned by 8.6%, costs $4.6m

Colombia's Munoz has excelled in the Premier League since joining Crystal Palace from Genk in January 2024 and the enterprising wing-back will be given licence to wreak havoc moving forward, with the 30-year-old scoring twice during the 2024 Copa America.

Ritsu Doan (Japan) Owned by 1%, costs $5.1m

Eintracht Frankfurt winger Ritsu Doan has been utilised as a wing-back by Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu, and yet he remains a prominent attacking threat in the Samarai Blue's fluid system. Doan caused England endless problems from the flank during their friendly in March, and the 27-year-old could also be deployed in a more advanced position if Moriyasu decides to alter his shape.

Midfielders

Jhon Arias (Colombia) Owned by 0.4%, costs $6.3m

Following a forgettable six-month spell with Wolves in the Premier League, Arias returned to Brazil with Palmeiras in February and rediscovered the form that saw him earn an array of plaudits during the Club World Cup. Arias scored twice in Colombia's warm-up match against Jordan and is expected to feature in an attacking quartet alongside Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez.

Marcus Rashford (England) Owned by 2.1%, costs $7.5m

Kane is England's obvious goal threat but there is concern about who else might chip in for the Three Lions. Rashford, however, looks in excellent shape and appears to have got the edge on Anthony Gordon for the left wing position, where he will be hoping to maintain the form that saw him score four goals in his last seven appearances for Barcelona.

Nico Williams (Spain) Owned by 3.8%, costs $7.8m

Yamal is not Spain's only star winger in a race to be fit for the start of the tournament as Williams returns from a hamstring injury, but once up to speed the Athletic Club ace will be a key figure in La Roja's attack. Williams' dynamism and explosiveness were key features in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, with the 23-year-old scoring in the final against England.

Arda Guler (Turkiye) Owned by 9.1%, costs $7m

Turkiye have three attacking players in Guler, Kenan Yildiz and Hakan Calhanoglu who are all worthy of your attention, but following a season for Real Madrid where he racked up six goals and 14 assists in 51 matches for Los Blancos, Guler's artistry will be key to Vincenzo Montella's side unlocking opposition in a favourable Group D.

Brahim Diaz (Morocco) Owned by 1.9%, costs $6.4m

Morocco attacker Diaz is set to be in the shop window this summer with an array of clubs across Europe interested in securing his services from Real Madrid, and the 26-year-old has the talent to shine on the world stage. Diaz won the Golden Boot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring five goals and registering five assists.

Marcel Sabitzer (Austria) Owned by 3.3%, costs $6.8m

Borussia Dortmund playmaker Sabitzer was key to Austria's successful qualification campaign and the 32-year-old has scored three goals in as many matches for Ralf Rangnick's side this calendar year. Austria have the potential to be dark horses in this tournament and will be eager to rack up the goals in their opening match against Jordan.

Lee Kang-in (South Korea) Owned by 0.5%, costs $6.1m

Subjected to a bit-part role at Paris Saint-Germain, Lee Kang-in has all of the attributes to shine as South Korea's main attacking threat. The 25-year-old produced the second-most chances in AFC qualifying and South Korea's group should present him with opportunities to fashion a glut of chances.

Forwards

Patrik Schick (Czechia) Owned by 0.8%, costs by $7.3m

Finding an obscure forward pick behind the household attacking names can be quite difficult, but Czechia target man Schick could be a shrewd addition if youre struggling for funds. Schick arrives in North America after netting 22 goals for Bayer Leverkusen and will be on penalty duties for Czechia in a wide-open Group A.

Mehdi Taremi (Iran) Owned by 0.6%, costs $6.1m

Iran's talisman Taremi represents excellent value amongst the forward options in an open Group G where Amir Ghalenoei's side face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt. Scoring 58 goals in 104 caps, Taremi netted 10 goals in 24 appearances for Olympiacos this season and scored twice in the UEFA Champions League, while the veteran striker is also Iran's primary penalty taker.

Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast) Owned by 1.1%, costs $5.9m

Plenty of eyes will be cast on Ivorian winger Diomande this summer following an exceptional breakthrough season at RB Leipzig and links to multiple clubs including Liverpool, even if he's still yet to make his senior international debut. Ivory Coast's group is tough, but Diomande possesses the electrifying attributes to trouble Ecuador's watertight defence and Germany's big-name stars.

Learn about the World Cup Fantasy rules on site here.