The 5 Best Players to own for 2026 World Cup Fantasy 

With the World Cup Fantasy Platform now fully launched, and the World Cup itself nearly upon us, it is time to begin thinking about team composition. However, one issue with building teams now, is that we will not know which players will be over or under 5% at the deadline. Which, given the new scoring system, is a potentially vital piece of information. 

However, what we can do in the meantime, is focus on some of the best players to own in general. All of which will likely be well above the 5% ownership threshold at deadline, but likely with good reason. 

Before we get started, an important caveat of this list, will be the assumed wildcard use in MD3. So essentially, all the players we are about to mention, will be ones with elite fixtures in MD1 and MD2 specifically. As the wildcard in MD3 and focused team comp for MD1 and MD2 are two of the most important tips for dominating World Cup Fantasy. 

Anyway, without further ado, let’s get stuck into the players. 

 

Jeremy Doku ($7.5m) 

Ownership: 11.5% 

It is no secret that Belgium have one of the easiest groups in the entire competition, with Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. Although Belgium are nowhere near the levels of their golden generation, they still have a strong team and will therefore be capable of scoring plenty. 

Not only did Doku register the most goal involvements in qualifying, with 5 goals and 5 assists, but he also registered the most minutes. Lukaku’s injury means the other attacking roles are still uncertain for Belgium, otherwise he would naturally be a great option as well. 

Not only has Doku been electric for Belgium in qualifying, but also for City in the Prem. He comes into 2 very easy fixtures in fantastic form. Normally a recipe for success. 

 

Mikel Oyarzabal ($8.1m) 

Ownership: 16.1% 

Spain emerged from the qualifiers with the 2nd highest xG after only England. With Oyarzabal being the spearhead. Him and Merino both led the way with 6 goals each in qualifying, although all accounts suggest Oyarzabal will be the one leading the line at the World Cup. 

He was also able to accrue the much higher xG during qualifying and has a fantastic goalscoring record for Spain, scoring 24 goals in 52 games.  

More importantly for his case, however, are Spain’s fixtures. They take on Cape Verde in MD1 and Saudi Arabia in MD2. Given how high-powered Spain’s attack is, these fixtures should yield plenty of goals, with Oyarzabal perfectly positioned to capitalise.  

 

Cristiano Ronaldo ($10m) / Bruno Fernandes ($8.5m) 

Ownership: 13.8 % / 48.8 % 

The reason I have included both Ronaldo and Fernandes here is that in my eyes, they are dead even as Fantasy assets. Meaning whichever you pick should be based around your team needs. I.e. if you need a midfielder, or if you are looking for lower ownership players.  

One thing is for certain however, this Portugal team should steamroll their group. Not only do they have the best midfield trio in the world, but also a very well-rounded unit around them.  

They also play their hardest match, against Colombia, in MD3. Meaning that their easier fixtures against Uzbekistan and Congo will be the ones targeted. Both have pros and cons. Ronaldo is more expensive, probably a bit washed and in a position with less spots available. However, he does lead the line, will likely be on pens and is very greedy, all excellent traits for Fantasy. Whearas Fernandes, despite being the superior player, has such a high ownership percentage. Both are great options. 

 

Harry Kane ($10.5m) 

Ownership: 38.2% 

In a slight deviation from the others, who all have easy groups, it’s fair to say that Croatia and Ghana will be a more challenging pair of fixtures for England and indeed Kane. However, what we can be absolutely sure of, is that Kane is essentially an entire system, and this England team has been constructed around him.  

Tuchel has selected a much quicker group of attackers, with Rashford, Gordon, Saka etc all pencilled to compliment Kane’s game. Almost like a Diaz and Olise lite.  

This should not only mean that Kane is a perpetual goal threat, but also a perpetual creative force for his teammates. Essentially seeing so much more of the ball than any other number 9 at the tournament. He takes tons of shots, is on penalties and should see Bruno Fernandes for United levels of involvement, but with an even bigger goal threat. You could not ask for a better profile of Fantasy selection. 

 

Joshua Kimmich ($5.5m) 

Ownership: 26.7% 

Kimmich is a great profile for Fantasy purposes as he fits the bill of a listed defender who can be active with attacking returns. In 5 qualifying games he was able to register 3 attacking returns. 2 goals and an assist. As well as registering a total of 7 shots, 5 of which were on target.  

Not only does he also find himself in advanced areas creating chances, he is also on set-pieces. Meaning he has plenty of routes to points. Even if he starts at right back, we can expect to see him invert into midfield and pick up the ball in very advanced areas. 

Their opening fixture against Curacao in MD1 might genuinely be the easiest fixture of the entire tournament. Along with an Ivory Coast fixture in MD2 which shouldn’t present a ton of problems either. 

 

Why we left out some players: 

• Mbappe – This one is fairly simple, their group is not easy. Senegal have a team stacked full of talent from top to bottom. Which is in no small part how they were able to overcome a very strong Moroccan team (argue with yourself if you think Morocco won). Another key factor is the rest of France’s attack, we know Dembele also likes to score goals and plays up top for PSG. So it remains to be seen just how much of a focal point Mbappe is, considering his other 2 attackers have both had incredible club seasons. 

• Haaland – This one is easy. Same problem as Mbappe. They play Senegal in MD2, who are at minimum the same tier team as Norway but with tons more tournament experience. Norway did look electric in qualifying, but it just adds a layer of unpredictability to proceedings. 

• Vini Jr – Similar issues here as well. Brazil play a very capable Moroccan team in MD1, which could end up causing them some real issues. Not to mention Vini Jr will be playing off the left as opposed to through the middle. Brazil could still roll this group, but as far as MD1 and MD2 goes, the floor is just a bit too low for Vini Jr in my opinion. 

• Messi – Not a bad pick at all. Would have been very close to 6th on this list. Argentina do have slightly trickier fixtures than they first appear however. Austria are a well drilled unit with a solid, experienced defence that includes Laimer, Mwene, Danso and Alaba. Algeria are also not as easy a test as they may first appear. Argentina also have a host of quality attacking outlets who could end up hogging the goals. 

 

Check out our World Cup Section for more 2026 World Cup Fantasy Tips.