02 Jul, 2026
World Cup Fantasy: Best Players to Target for R16
Unlock the knockout stage: Here are the essentials, premiums and Scouting Bonus targets you need in your squad for the World Cup Round of 16.
With the Round of 16 fast approaching, we take a look at some of the best options to consider for your World Cup Fantasy team.
SIDE NOTE: We will be updating the list in real time following each result. So make sure you keep it bookmarked to refer back to.
Most Recent Update: 04/07 at 10:15
Teams to Target:
The Round of 16 is where fixture quality becomes just as important as player quality. With transfers at a premium, targeting teams with the strongest combination of favourable opponents and realistic paths to the quarter-finals is the best strategy.
France
France should be the priority for fantasy managers this round.
Didier Deschamps’ side have looked among the tournament’s most complete teams, combining one of the highest goals, expected goals (xG), chances created etc. With a favourable Round of 16 draw and the potential for another kind fixture beyond that, investing heavily in Les Bleus looks the safest strategy.
England
England also stand out thanks to an inviting run to the semi final. Although Mexico at the Azteca sounds daunting, compared to having to face a Spain, Portugal, France, Brazil or Argentina, we will take it.
Despite a somewhat shaky performance against Congo, the Three Lions have showed genuine quality throughout the tournament while continuing to generate plenty of high-quality opportunities through Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and their wide players. Their defence I would be more worried about however.
Colombia
Colombia continue to fly under the radar. Not only were they the better team against Portugal and indeed in their group, but they also have a very favourable run which could see them progress deep into the tournament.
Their defence has been one of the tournament’s most organised, while Daniel Muñoz and Luis Díaz offer outstanding attacking upside. Several Colombian defenders also project well under the scouting bonus system.
Argentina
Argentina remain among the favourites to lift the trophy. They have perhaps the easiest route to the semi final of any team in the competition, making their players top targets for any Fantasy Manager.
Lionel Messi continues to dictate almost everything they do going forward, while their defence has become increasingly reliable as the tournament has progressed. They offer strong fantasy options across every position.
Be wary of Spain and Portugal
Both nations possess world-class fantasy assets, but they’re currently projected to meet each other in the Round of 16.
That significantly lowers the appeal of investing heavily compared to France, England, Colombia or Argentina, all of whom have considerably kinder fixtures and better chances of progressing.
That being said, Spain looked very impressive in their fixture against Austria. Making Oyarzabal and Cucurella in particular, very solid options. As well as Yamal of course.
Essentials:
Kylian Mbappé
If you can only own one premium player this round, it should be Mbappé.
The France captain has been among the tournament leaders for shots, expected goals (xG), touches in the opposition box and big chances, while remaining France’s first-choice penalty taker. Every attack seems to flow through him, and his pace continues to generate high-quality opportunities in transition. He has just moved to 2nd in the all time scorers list in World Cups with 18 and is bearing down on Messi.
Michael Olise
Olise has emerged as one of France’s most complete attacking players.
His creativity is reflected in his impressive expected assists (xA) numbers, which also see him leading the World cup in assists on 5. His vision is a complete joke. Arguably France’s best player in a team with Mbappe. Let that sink in… All the while, he continues to register plenty of shots from dangerous positions. Few midfielders combine goal threat and chance creation as consistently as Olise.
Against a favourable opponent, he has perpetual double-digit potential.
Ousmane Dembélé
Dembélé has quietly produced some of the strongest underlying attacking numbers in the competition.
He ranks highly for successful dribbles, key passes, expected assists (xA) and chances created, while also generating regular shooting opportunities inside the penalty area. As evidenced by his sublime hat trick against Norway. Even when he doesn’t score, his creative output gives him multiple routes to fantasy points.
Harry Kane
Kane remains England’s focal point, leader and talisman. He’s now moved onto 5 goals in 4 games and has proved he doesn’t require much to score from. He will no doubt be super high on confidence following his heroics against Congo, and if there’s one man defenders do not want to face while he’s brimming with confidence, its Kane.
Although he often drops deep to link play, he continues to post elite expected goal (xG) numbers through central chances while also creating opportunities for teammates. Add penalty duties into the equation and he remains one of the best premium forwards available.
Daniel Muñoz
Muñoz has arguably been the standout defender in World Cup Fantasy.
Operating almost as an extra winger, he ranks among the tournament leaders for touches in the opposition box by a defender while consistently producing shots, key passes and dangerous crosses. Colombia’s defensive solidity only strengthens his appeal.
Luis Díaz
Luis Díaz remains Colombia’s biggest attacking threat.
His direct running generates both shots and high-quality chances, while his dribbling ability consistently creates dangerous situations. His expected goal (xG) and expected assist (xA) numbers continue to back up the eye test, indicating his returns are not flukes.
Lionel Messi
Messi continues to be the heartbeat of Argentina.
He leads the team for chances created, remains heavily involved in set pieces and still produces elite expected goal (xG) and expected assist (xA) numbers. Even against stronger opponents, few players possess a higher fantasy ceiling.
Despite a closer shave than Argentina would like against Cape Verde, Messi still stands alone as top scorer in the tournament on 7.
Premiums:
Jude Bellingham
Bellingham continues to deliver elite all-round fantasy production.
His intelligent late runs into the penalty area and indeed behind the lines provide him with plenty of opportunities to score, while his creativity and vision also contributes strong expected assist (xA) numbers. Few midfielders can match his combination of attacking involvement and consistency. England’s best player at the tournament so far.
Achraf Hakimi
Hakimi remains one of fantasy’s best attacking defenders.
His overlapping runs, pace and crossing ability create regular attacking returns, while Morocco’s defensive organisation continues to provide clean-sheet potential. The only slight concern is the possibility of facing France in the quarter-finals, making him more attractive as a one-week investment.
William Saliba
Saliba offers one of the safest defensive routes into France’s back line.
France have restricted opponents to very few clear-cut chances, while Saliba’s dominance in aerial duels, interceptions and recoveries gives him a reliable fantasy floor alongside clean-sheet potential.
Marc Cucurella
Cucurella continues to get forward aggressively from left-back. While also playing for the tournament’s best defence by xG. Even if they play Portugal, who have looked a bit off it, his ability for points at either end make him a great option.
His crossing volume and chance creation have produced encouraging underlying attacking numbers, while Spain’s possession-heavy style limits defensive pressure for long periods.
Sergiño Dest
Listed as a defender but often operating as a winger, Dest provides excellent attacking upside. Even without Balogun the US have looked dominant so far, and will likely come into a Belgium fixture level pegging.
Dest is a particularly valuable asset however, due to his advanced positioning. Where he regularly produces crosses, progressive carries and chances created, making him one of the most exciting differential defenders available. I’m also not sold on Belgium, and think the USA could do a job on them in the R16 should they beat Senegal.
Lisandro Martínez
Argentina have had one of the best defences all tournament and he is fully nailed. A very safe option into a very good defence. Who will also likely progress deep into the tournament. Thus saving transfers down the line.
Martinez is also pretty handy in and around the box, further adding to his fantasy appeal.
Vinícius Júnior
Vinícius remains Brazil’s most explosive attackers.
His dribbling constantly creates shooting opportunities, while his pace and movement generate consistently strong openings for assist and key passes as well. Few players can match his explosive potential over a single match and he is a great option as a result. Norway also have a very strong attack however, and this game could easily be a shootout, which is why we are leaning towards Brazilian attackers over defenders.
Cristian Romero
Romero combines Argentina’s clean-sheet potential with impressive defensive statistics. He is slated to return from injury for their round of 32 fixture.
His goal spared Argentina some blushes against Cape Verde.
Facundo Medina
Medina offers another affordable route into Argentina’s solid defence.
His strong defensive work and ability to contribute recoveries and interceptions make him a dependable budget option. However there is a slight rotation risk with Tagliafico now back.
Alrhough that being said, he appears to be first choice. With his substitution against Cape Verde reporting to be just cramp.
Emiliano Martínez
Argentina’s goalkeeper remains among the strongest options in the game.
Backed by one of the tournament’s most organised defences, Martínez offers an excellent combination of clean-sheet potential and deep tournament progression.
Mikel Oyarzabal
Even with a potentially trickier fixture against Portugal, Oyarzabal is clearly the focal point of what is now a fully firing Spanish attack. Making him a solid option for any R16 team. Especially if you are Portugal doubter, which a growing number seem to be.
Scouting Bonus Players:
Lucas Digne / Theo Hernández (Risky)
Whoever starts at left-back immediately becomes one of the standout defensive picks.
France’s full-backs regularly push high up the pitch, creating chances through crosses and overlapping runs while also benefiting from one of the best clean-sheet prospects of the round. Thus making them ideal scouting bonus candidates.
Minutes remain uncertain, so wait for team news.
Brandon Mechele
Belgium’s defence has been up and down all tournament. Conceding just 2 in the group stage but proving very leaky against Senegal. However, with Balogun set to miss their match up against the US, Belgium’s defensive prospects improve massively, and At only 0.5% he should be a lock for Scouting Bonus.
Maxim De Cuyper
De Cuyper combines attacking intent with excellent defensive work.
His willingness to overlap produces dangerous crosses and expected assists (xA), while his defensive clean sheet potential further strengthen his scouting bonus appeal. Another great option at only 1.5%. Menaing he is likely to maintain his Scouting Bonus.
Djed Spence (Risky)
If named in England’s starting XI, Spence has outstanding scouting bonus, clean sheet and attacking return potential.
His attacking role generates plenty of progressive carries and chance creation, while England’s clean-sheet prospects only increase his overall ceiling. Although it’s safe to say England’s defence has looked shaky at times.
Marcus Rashford / Anthony Gordon / Noni Madueke (Risky)
Whoever wins England’s final wide attacking spot becomes a fascinating differential.
All three players rank highly for progressive carries, dribbles and shots when on the pitch, making them ideal candidates to earn both attacking returns and scouting bonus points. Right now it is hard to predict who starts however.
Camilo Vargas
Colombia have conceded just one goal all tournament and look like one of the tournament’s genuine contenders. They were the superior team against fellow contenders Portugal, and were able to limit them to 0.67 xG. At just 3.9%, there is a strong chance he stays below 5%.
Jhon Lucumí
Another member of the elite Colombian backline with Scouting Bonus.
Johan Mojica
Yet another member of this defence who should receive the Scouting Bonus. Mojica is naturally the slightly more attacking player but has seen a bit of rotation already, so is definitely the riskier play.
Davinson Sánchez
Sánchez offers a very similar fantasy profile to Lucumí. Solid CB, good team and Scouting Bonus. But also a decent aerial threat.
Julian Quinones
playing against what will likely be England’s fourth choice right back, Quinones profiles as an excellent outside shout for the Round of 16. He plays for a good team, at home at the Azteca, against an inconsistent and injured defence. At only 1.5% he should also remain comfortably below the 5% threshold.
check out our World Cup section for more World Cup Fantasy Tips
