World Cup Fantasy: Best Players to Buy for the Semi-Finals

With just four teams remaining, World Cup Fantasy becomes much simpler.

Gone are the days of spreading your transfers across eight or sixteen nations. At this stage, every transfer has to maximise expected minutes, captaincy potential and the likelihood of reaching the final.

France remain the standout team to target.

Didier Deschamps’ side have looked the most complete team in the competition and, crucially, still possess the highest concentration of elite fantasy assets. Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé have all shown they are capable of double-digit returns on any given matchday, while France’s defence has remained one of the tournament’s strongest.

Spain continue to be an excellent team to invest in, but much of their fantasy appeal comes through defensive returns rather than explosive attacking hauls. England and Argentina both possess premium assets that are almost impossible to ignore, although neither side has consistently convinced over the last few rounds.

If you’re building a squad from scratch, the ideal structure would be:

• 6 France
• 3 England
• 3 Argentina
• 3 Spain

There is flexibility depending on your preferences. Going with four England players instead of three or loading up on four Argentina assets is perfectly reasonable if you strongly favour one semi-final over the other.

The most important thing is ensuring you do not sell yourself short with transfers for the final.

SIDE NOTE: This Will be updated in Real Time as and when we get Player News, Ownership % changes and General News.

Last Updated: 13/07

Essentials

These are the players every squad should contain heading into the semi-finals.

Kylian Mbappé

There isn’t much to think about here.

Mbappé remains the best fantasy asset in the game and should once again be the overwhelming captaincy favourite.

He’s leading the tournament for both goals and fantasy points with 8 goals and 3 assists. He also remains France’s penalty taker and has consistently produced the highest attacking ceiling of any player left in the competition.

If France reach the final, there’s every chance Mbappé is the biggest reason why.

Michael Olise

Olise has developed into France’s creative heartbeat.

Operating centrally far more often than expected, he’s become the player linking midfield with Mbappé and Dembélé while also producing plenty of attacking returns himself.

His combination of assists and chance creation makes him a solid option week and week out despite not quite possessing the goalscoring ceiling of a Dembele or Mbappe.

Ousmane Dembélé

Dembélé’s consistency has been one of the biggest stories of the tournament.

Already among France’s leading scorers, he continues to stretch defences with his pace while contributing goals and chance creation at an elite clip.

With Mbappé attracting so much defensive attention, Dembélé constantly finds himself in dangerous positions. Of which he has already capitalised on with 5 goals and 2 assists.

Harry Kane

England’s captain remains their most reliable fantasy option despite Bellingham’s heroics.

Penalty duties alone make him valuable, but Kane’s creativity often goes overlooked. He regularly drops into deeper positions to create chances before arriving in the box himself.

When England score, Kane is usually involved, and like Jude, sits on exactly 6 goals and 1 assist this tournament already.

Lionel Messi

Even at this stage of his career, Messi remains Argentina’s biggest match winner.

Everything creative still flows through him, whether it’s set pieces, through balls or moments of individual brilliance.

You simply don’t bet against Lionel Messi in a World Cup knockout game. Especially with his team’s entire system geared towards getting him the ball. The current joint top scorer with Mbappe for a reason.

Marc Cucurella

Cucurella has been the outstanding defensive asset of the tournament.

Spain continue to look incredibly secure defensively, while Cucurella’s attacking involvement has added another dimension to his fantasy appeal.

Few defenders combine clean-sheet potential with assist upside as consistently. Although there is every chance Spain go out to France, Cucurella’s ability to get points at either end have proved very valuable for fantasy purposes, and it is for this reason that he finds himself in the essentials section.

Not least considering full back is one of France’s weaker spots.

Jude Bellingham

Bellingham completes the essential group.

His ability to arrive late in the penalty area makes him England’s biggest threat alongside Kane, while his all-round influence means he rarely disappears from matches.

He’s capable of producing returns against any opponent, at any time, and any circumstance. You simply have to assume he’ll produce at this point.

Premium Player Pool

 

These are the players that should make up the remainder of your squad depending on transfers, budget and how you expect the semi-finals to play out.

Bradley Barcola / Désiré Doué

France’s final attacking spot could prove decisive.

Both players have impressed whenever called upon, and whichever starts immediately becomes one of the best differential premiums available.

Fortunately, managers should have reliable line-up information before the deadline, making this a decision based on confirmed team news rather than guesswork.

Lucas Digne

Digne now looks firmly established as France’s first-choice left-back after starting consecutive knockout matches.

Despite their attacking prowess, France remain one of the better defences left in the tournament, while Digne also offers attacking upside through crosses and overlaps.

Mike Maignan

If you’re investing in France’s defence, Maignan remains one of the safest routes in. Absolutely nailed and only $5.0m.

His shot-stopping ability means he can produce save points even when France concede very few chances.

William Saliba

Saliba remains arguably the best centre-back left in the tournament.

France’s clean-sheet potential combined with his lineup consistency makes him one of the safest defensive selections available.

Jules Koundé

Koundé offers another route into France’s defence.

His role as a fullback also helps his ceiling, and his security of starts and France’s defensive strength make him an attractive option.

Dayot Upamecano

Upamecano has quietly enjoyed another excellent tournament.

If you’re doubling or tripling on France’s defence, he deserves consideration alongside Saliba and Koundé. To be honest, there is not a single bad French asset along their backline.

Pedro Porro

Porro continues to provide excellent attacking value from right-back.

Spain dominate possession in most matches, allowing him to spend long periods in advanced positions while still benefiting from clean-sheet potential.

Although France will prove a different test, they have shown a little bit of vulnerability defensively. Something an attacking full back like Porro can capitalise on.

Lamine Yamal

Yamal remains capable of producing a moment of magic against any opponent.

Although the goals haven’t flowed as freely as some expected, his dribbling and creativity still make him one of Spain’s most dangerous attackers. If there was ever a game for him to step up, it’s this one.

Not least considering he seems to enjoy scoring against France in major tournament semi-finals.

Mikel Oyarzabal

Oyarzabal continues to offer excellent value.

His movement inside the penalty area and eye for goal make him one of Spain’s most reliable attacking options, particularly if you’re looking beyond Yamal. Of course France are a tricky challenge but they can be breached.

Julián Álvarez

With 2 starts in a row and a sensational goal against Switzerland, I think it’s safe to say Alvarez is now firmly back in the fold.

Álvarez’s movement and pressing make him an excellent knockout-stage striker.

He constantly gets into dangerous positions and complements Messi perfectly. A really sneaky differential inclusion. Not least consdiering how vulnerable England have looked at the back, conceding in every knockout game so far.

Alexis Mac Allister

Mac Allister remains Argentina’s most balanced midfield option.

His creativity, work rate and ability to contribute in the assists, chance creation and tackling department, make him a solid all round option.

Cristian Romero

Romero remains Argentina’s best defensive option outside of Emiliano Martínez.

His aerial threat also provides occasional attacking upside from set pieces.

Lisandro Martínez

If fit and starting, Lisandro offers another strong route into Argentina’s defence.

Like Romero, he also offers some appeal in the attacking return department.

Nahuel Molina

Molina remains a solid option at the back. Although admittedly is definitely at more of a risk of rotation than either of centre back pairing.

Emiliano Martínez

Martínez is still the preferred Argentina goalkeeper.

Again, Argentina’s defence has not looked very solid, but at thi sstage in the tournament he is still a solid pick.

Ezri Konsa

Konsa has looked increasingly comfortable in England’s back line, be it at centre back or left back.

He offers an affordable route into a defence that is just about a favourite to progress to the final.

Marc Guéhi

Guéhi is another another dependable defensive option.

His aerial ability and consistency also make him a decent candidate for attacking returns.

Jordan Pickford

Another solid route into the English defence. Pickford has had a mixed World Cup but has looked sharp the last couple of games. Although the chance of a clean sheet is lower than a Maignan, he will have a slightly higher save point potential.

Scouting Bonus Options

Dani Olmo – (4.4% Owned)

Olmo has become increasingly important for Spain during the knockout rounds.

His movement between the lines, creativity and willingness to shoot make him one of the strongest bonus-point candidates outside the obvious premium names.

Mikel Merino – (3.4% Owned)

Spain’s super sub now has 2 goals in his last 2 games.

Considering there is every chance France end up taking the lead, Merino could end up seeing the pitch sooner rather than later. Meaning he always has a return chance thanks to his excellent attacking movement and finishing ability.

Nicolás Tagliafico – (2% Owned)

Tagliafico was plugged in for their match up against Switzerland and in truth had a pretty good game. He is naturally a rotation risk with Medina however.

It remians to be seen whether he holds the starting spot but at this point, we can assume he is the more likely to start.

Bukayo Saka – (4.9% Owned)

Currently clinging to Scouting Bonus for dear life. It’s safe to say he likely won’t remain under 5%.

Madueke’s poor outing against Norway should land Saka in pretty good stead to start against Argentina. A defence which has looked particularly vulnerable, and is currently facing rotation issues at left back.

Djed Spence – (1.8% Owned)

Spence had the game of his life against Norway and is clearly deployed as a spark plug by Tuchel. He loves to get forward and has enough pace to recover and get back. Whether England are winning or losing, even if he does not start, he remains an excellent option, as he will 100% see the field at some point.

His attacking role from full-back, combined with England’s potential to progress, make him an excellent option.

Reece James – (3.1% Owned)

James is a another solid route into the England defence and when fit, is Tuchel’s clear first choice at right back. Despite not lighting up the tournament he has put in enough solid performances and possess the ability to generate attacking returns at all time.

The part to be concerned about will be his playing time/if he starts. So if you are thinking of James or Spence, then leave it right up until the deadline and see if there is any team news.

Final Thoughts

With only four nations remaining, there’s far less room to hide.

France should still be the foundation of every squad, with Mbappé, Olise and Dembélé remaining the premium trio to build around. Spain offer pockets of value, while England and Argentina both possess enough elite talent to deserve significant investment.

Stick close to the recommended squad structure, monitor confirmed line-ups before the deadline, and don’t be afraid to use one or two low-owned scouting bonus options to separate yourself from the field.

At this stage of the tournament, one differential can make all the difference.

 

Check out our World Cup section for more World Cup fantasy Tips.