A record 1,248 players are gearing up for the largest FIFA World Cup™ in history, with co-hosts Mexico and South Africa set to start the global party tomorrow in Mexico City. At the same time, millions of football fans across the planet are making final changes to squads of their own in the official game.
Ahead of the Round 1 lockout, which comes at the opening whistle of that first match, FIFA looks at players to target for each of the initial matchday fixtures.
Possible Teams Mexico: Rangel; Gallardo, Vasquez, Montes, Reyes; Gutierrez, Lira, Fidalgo; Quinones, Alvarado, Jimenez. South Africa: Williams; Mudau, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mokoena, Sithole, Mbatha; Moremi, Foster, Appollis.
Key targets: The co-hosts start the global party in the capital, and the question is how the expectation will impact Javier Aguirre’s side. In what could be a tight contest, Mexican defensive assets may be the way to go, with goalkeeper Raul Rangel ($3.9m), set to start ahead of veteran Guillermo Ochoa, one of the most appealing options.
Highest owned players: GK Guillermo Ochoa (MEX) – 4.8% GK Raul Rangel (MEX) – 4.7% MID Jayden Adams (RSA) - 4.1%
Korea Republic: Kim Seunggyu; Kim Minjae, Lee Hanbeom, Lee Gihyuk; Seol Youngwoo, Lee Taeseok, Hwang Inbeom, Paik Seungho; Lee Kangin, Lee Jaesung ; Son Heungmin. Czechia: Kovar; Coufal, Doudera, Holes, Krejci, Zeleny; Soucek, Sadilek; Hlozek, Sulc, Schick.
Key targets: Another clash that should be tightly balanced could see set-pieces play a major role. That brings into focus a pair of Czechia options who could either provide or finish those chances, in the likely taker Vladimir Coufal ($3.6m) and in-form finisher Pavel Sulc ($5.9m)
Highest owned players: DEF Vladimir Coufal (CZE) – 3.2% DEF Kim Minjae (KOR) – 2.1% FWD Son Heungmin (KOR) – 2.1%
Canada: Crepeau; Johnston, De Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryeal; Kone, Eustaquio, Buchanan, Millar; David, Larin. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Vasilj; Dedic, Katic, Muharemovic, Kolasinac; Bajraktarevic, Tahirovic, Sunjic, Memic; Demirovic, Dzeko.
Key targets: The second of the co-hosts make their bow in Toronto. Although they come with high expectations this looms as a close contest, which makes defensive assets a probable avenue to points. As such Canadian keeper Maxime Crepeau ($4m) and Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Amar Dedic ($4.3m), who may take some set-pieces, have appeal.
Highest owned players: DEF Alphonso Davies (CAN) – 4.3% GK Maxime Crepeau (CAN) – 3.8% GK Mladen Jurkas (BIH) - 3.1%
Qatar: Barsham; Al Oui, Pedro Miguel, Khoukhi, Al Amin; Madibo, Fathy, Jassem Gaber; Afif, Edmilson, Almoez Ali. Switzerland: Kobel; Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Xhaka, Freuler; Ndoye, Rieder, Vargas; Embolo.
Key targets: Swiss players have been heavily targeted by fantasy managers seemingly tipping the European side to top the section. While goalkeeper Gregor Kobel ($4.7m) and the penalty-taking midfielder Granit Xhaka ($6.2m) certainly have appeal, this could also be the tournament where Qatar’s mercurial Akram Afif ($5.9m) finally delivers on the global stage.
Highest owned players: GK Gregor Kobel (SUI) – 6.3% DEF Manuel Akanji (SUI) - 4.9% MID Granit Xhaka (SUI) – 4.7%
Brazil: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Alex Sandro; Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta; Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Vinicius Junior. Morocco: Bounou; Hakimi, Riad, Diop, Belammari; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi, Ounahi; Brahim Diaz, Rahimi; Saibari.
Key targets: The first fixture where there are a slew of heavily-owned players means managers have to decide whether to take on some of these heavyweights. Morocco’s star fullback Achraf Hakimi ($6m) is a fantasy titan but at a expensive price and could be a fade if you expect Brazil to impress. That then brings into focus the likes of star midfielder Raphinha ($8.2m), especially given he is almost two million cheaper than fellow samba star Vinicius Junior ($10m).
Highest owned players: DEF Achraf Hakimi (MAR) – 22.1% MID Raphinha (BRA) – 22% DEF Gabriel Magalhaes (BRA) – 21.1%
Haiti: Placide; Arcus, Duverne, Delcroix, Lacroix; Bellegarde, Jean-Jacques, Casimir; Isidor, Nazon, Providence. Scotland: Gunn; Hickey, Hanley, Souttar, Robertson; Gannon-Doak, Ferguson, McTominay, McGinn; Shankland, Adams.
Key targets: Given the presence of a pair of heavyweights elsewhere in the section this is a match that both nations should clearly be targeting a win from. That could then perhaps see goals, which brings the likes of in-form Scotland forward Lawrence Shankland ($5.5m) and Haiti’s equally as impressive Wilson Isidor ($5m), who has two goals and an assist in his past three outings, into focus.
Highest owned players: MID Scott McTominay (SCO) – 10.9% DEF Andy Robertson (SCO) – 5% GK Craig Gordon (SCO) – 2.8%
USA: Freese; Freeman, Miles Robinson, Ream, Antonee Robinson; Dest, Adams, McKennie, Tillman, Pulisic; Balogun. Paraguay: Fernandez; Caceres, G. Gomez, Alderete, D. Alonso; D. Gomez, Bobadilla, Cubas, Almiron; D. Gonzalez, Sanabria.
Key targets: The last of the co-hosts will open Group D action at Los Angeles Stadium, with plenty of expectation sure to follow them. A mixed preparation saw the side lose three of their four warm-up fixtures, conceding at least twice in all those matches. That then perhaps opens the window for Paraguay to pounce, with key attacking options Miguel Almiron ($6m) and Antonio Sanabria ($6.5) options to consider.
Highest owned players: MID Christian Pulisic (USA) – 5% DEF Antonee Robinson (USA) – 3.4% DEF Sergino Dest (USA) – 2%
Australia: Ryan; Circati, Souttar, Herrington/Burgess; Italiano, Irvine, O’Neill, Bos; Metcalf, Leckie, Toure. Türkiye: Cakir; Celik, Kabak, Bardakci, Elmali; Yuksek, Calhanoglu, Guler, Kahveci, Yilmaz; Gul.
Key targets: In what appears another wide-open group, this pair will know the importance of banking maximum points in their opener. The cooler climes of Vancouver could make it a fairly open clash, meaning the Socceroos might have their work cut out controlling the threat of the Türkiye midfield, with Arda Guler ($7m) and Kenan Yildiz ($7m) both potent attacking options.
Highest owned players: MID Arda Guler (TUR) – 9.3% MID Kenan Yildiz (TUR) – 3.6% MID Hakan Calhanoglu (TUR) – 2.3%
Germany: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Pavlovic, Nmecha; Wirtz, Musiala, Sane; Havertz. Curaçao: Room; Fonville, Bazoer, Floranus, Gaari, Obispo; J. Bacuna, Comenencia, L. Bacuna; Chong, Locadia.
Key targets: Debutants Curaçao face an almighty task in their first match at the global finals against the might of a Germany side that has been in exceptional form, with a 2-1 victory over USA last week making it nine consecutive wins. That makes it almost essential to have some kind of cover, with Joshua Kimmich ($5.5m), Florian Wirtz ($7.5m) and Kai Havertz ($7.8m) making an appealing looking triple play.
Highest owned players: DEF Joshua Kimmich (GER) – 32.7% MID Florian Wirtz (GER) – 23% FWD Kai Havertz (GER) – 14.3%
Côte d'Ivoire: Fofana; Konan, Kossounou, Ndicka, Doue; Kessie, Sangare; Oulai, Pepe, Diomande; Guessand. Ecuador: Galindez; Franco, Ordonez, Pacho, Hincapie; Caicedo, Vite, Yeboah; Plata, Valencia, Angul.
Key targets: Both teams enter the World Cup in good form, with Ecuador undefeated in more than a year and Côte d'Ivoire having won each of their previous four fixtures. There’s a chance that they could consequently cancel each other out, making defensive options an appealing prospect. That brings the likes of Ecuadorian centre-backs Willian Pacho ($4.4m) and Piero Hincapie ($4.7m) into play, although Ivorian starlet Yan Diomande ($5.9m) is also a possible attacking option at an attractive price.
Highest owned players: DEF Willian Pacho (ECU) – 5.5% GK Hernan Galindez (ECU) – 4.8% DEF Piero Hincapie (ECU) – 4%
Netherlands: Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Van de Ven; De Jong, Reijnders, Gravenberch; Malen, Depay, Gakpo. Japan: Suzuki; H. Ito, Itakura, Tomiyasu; Doan, Kamada, Sano, Nakamura; Kubo, J. Ito, Ueda.
Key targets: Given the ownership percentages, it’s clear that a majority of players are tipping the Netherlands to do well here. It would be a mistake though to discount a Japanese side that have beaten Brazil at home and England away over the past year. That then sees the likes of Ritsu Doan ($5.1m), listed as a defender but likely to play further forward, and the in-form forward Ayase Ueda ($7m) hold serious differential appeal.
Highest owned players: DEF Virgil van Dijk (NED) – 20% DEF Denzel Dumfries (NED) – 5.5% DEF Micky van de Ven (NED) – 4.8%
Sweden: Nordfeldt; Johansson, Lindelof, Starfelt, Gudmundsson; Elanga, Ayari, Karlstrom, Sema; Isak, Gyokeres. Tunisia: Dahmen; Abdi, Talbi, Bronn, Valery; Skhiri, Belhadj Mahmoud; Achouri, Khedira, Ben Slimane; Mastouri.
Key targets: This pair enter in modest form, with neither able to win in their two warm-up matches. Sweden haven’t kept a clean sheet over the past year and Tunisia have just two in their past nine outings. That could then bring attack to the fore, with Swedish pair Viktor Gyokeres ($7.8m) and Alexander Isak ($8m) prominent options to consider.
Highest owned players: FWD Viktor Gyokeres (SWE) – 5.7% FWD Alexander Isak (SWE) – 3.3% DEF Victor Lindelof (SWE) – 1.7%
Belgium: Courtois; Meunier, Ngoy, Theate, Castagne; Onana, Tielemans, De Bruyne; Doku, Trossard; De Ketelaere. Egypt: Shobeir; Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Abdelmonem, Ahmed Fatouh; Marawan Attia, Mohanad Lasheen; Salah, Ashour, Trezeguet; Marmoush.
Key targets: In the probable absence of Romelu Lukaku ($7.4m), Charles De Ketelaere ($5.6m) is likely to lead the Belgian line. Given he is listed in the game as a midfielder that holds serious appeal. With Egypt having only scored twice in their previous three outings, it also perhaps opens a route for defensive points, with keeper Thibaut Courtois ($4.9m) and Thomas Meunier ($4.8m) among those to consider.
Highest owned players: MID Jeremy Doku (BEL) – 13.3% GK Thibaut Courtois (BEL) – 12.8% MID Kevin De Bruyne (BEL) – 5.5%
IR Iran: Beiranvand; Yousefi/Hardani, Hossein Kanani/Nemati, Khalilzadeh, Mohammadi; Jahanbakhsh/Gholizadeh, Ezatolahi, Ghoddos, Mohebi; Ghayedi, Taremi. New Zealand: Crocombe/Paulsen; Payne, Bindon, Surman, Cacace; Stamenic, Bell; Just, Singh, Garbett/Randall; Wood.
Key targets: Since storming through qualification New Zealand have been in the midst of a poor run of form, with the All Whites losing five of their past six fixtures. Iran will then no doubt see a chance to start on a positive note here, with clinical forward Mehdi Taremi ($6.1m) and the dangerous midfielder Mohammad Mohebi ($5.9m) both players to target.
Highest owned players: MID Lachlan Bayliss (NZL) – 1.6% FWD Matthew Garbett (NZL) – 0.9% FWD Mehdi Taremi (IRN) – 0.6%
Spain: Simon; Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz; Ferran Torres, Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo. Cabo Verde: Vozinha; Steven Moreira, Diney Borges, Pico Lopes, Joao Paulo; Kevin Lenini, Yannick Semedo; Ryan Mendes, Jamiro Monteiro, Willy Semedo; Livramento.
Key targets: Another of the debutants, Cabo Verde will likely find the going tough against one of the tournament titans. That means that, as in the case of Germany, you pivot away from Spain at your peril. The major question is what to do with starlet Lamine Yamal ($10m), given his injury concerns. That could see players looking instead to the likes of forward Mikel Oyarzabal ($8.1m) and mercurial midfielder Pedri ($8.1m).
Highest owned players: MID Lamine Yamal (ESP) – 41.6% DEF Marc Cucurella (ESP) – 24.8% FWD Mikel Oyarzabal (ESP) – 19.4%
Saudi Arabia: Al Aqidi; Abdulhamid, Al Tambakti, Al Amri, Kadesh; Al Khaibari, Kanno, Al Juwayr; Mandash, Al Brikan, Salem Al Dawsari. Uruguay: Muslera; Varela, Caceres, Olivera, Sanabria; Valverde, Ugarte, Bentancur; Nunez, Vinas, Araujo.
Key targets: While Saudi Arabia had a mixed preparation, with just the one win in their three outings, Uruguay were the only nation that opted not to play an official warm-up match. With the Green Falcons also now under newly appointed head coach Georgios Donis, this could be a clash that’s hard to call. That could then see the result turn on the performances of a pair of genuine superstars, in the form of Saudi sensation Salem Al Dawsari ($7.2m) and Uruguayan string-puller Fede Valverde ($7.5m).
Highest owned players: MID Federico Valverde (URU) – 5.9% GK Serio Rochet (URU) – 4.3% DEF Ronald Araujo (URU) – 3%
France: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Olise, Mbappe, Dembele, Doue. Senegal: Edouard Mendy; Antoine Mendy, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Diouf; Pape Matar Sarr, P. Gueye, L. Camara; I. Sarr, Jackson, Mane.
Key targets: Near on a quarter of a century ago, Senegal pulled off a stunning defeat of France in their Korea/Japan 2002 opener, although not many are expecting a similar result this time around. In terms of fantasy assets, France have been heavily backed and that makes going against the likes of star forward Kylian Mbappe ($10.5) a very risky proposition. It wouldn’t usually be the case that Ousmane Dembele ($10m) is something of a differential, but with huge numbers jumping on the cheaper Michael Olise ($9.5) he might make an attractive pivot.
Highest owned players: FWD Kylian Mbappe (FRA) – 49.3% MID Michael Olise (FRA) – 32% MID Ousmane Dembele (FRA) – 17.4%
Iraq: Hassan/Fadhil; Ali, Tahseen/Younis, Hashem, Doski; Farji, Al Ammari, Sher/Yacob, Bayesh/Amyn; Hussein, Al Hamadi. Norway: Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Moller Wolfe; Bobb, Berge, Odegaard, Nusa; Haaland, Sorloth.
Key targets: As , star Norway forward Erling Haaland ($10.5m) is a player he just can’t go without, and that is as good a reason as any to bring in the prolific goal poacher. Fullback Julian Ryerson ($4.2) is another solid option, given he could be creating several of those chances for his team’s key presence up front.
Highest owned players: FWD Erling Haaland (NOR) – 32.9% DEF Julian Ryerson (NOR) – 7.6% MID Martin Odegaard (NOR) – 4.8%
Argentina: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Almada; Messi, Julian Alvarez. Algeria: Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Bentaleb, Aouar, Maza; Mahrez, Gouiri; Amoura.
Key targets: Argentina have reeled off seven straight wins to head into their title defence brimming with confidence. Likewise Algeria have also been in superb form, with seven wins from their past nine outings so this looms as an early section swinger in Kansas City. Goals certainly seem likely, and that brings star Argentine duo Lionel Messi ($10m) and Julian Alvarez ($8.6m) firmly into focus, while lightly-owned Algerian ace Amine Gouiri ($6.2m) has netted four times in as many matches.
Highest owned players: GK Emiliano Martinez (ARG) – 21.9% FWD Lionel Messi (ARG) – 17.4% FWD Julian Alvarez (ARG) – 16.1%
Austria: A. Schlager; Laimer, Alaba, Lienhart, Posch; Seiwald, X. Schlager; Sabitzer, Gregoritsch, Romano Schmid; Arnautovic. Jordan: Abulaila; Abu Dahab, Nasib, Al Arab; Haddad, Abu Taha, Al Rashdan, Al Rawabdeh; Al Mardi, Olwan; Al Tamari.
Key targets: An Austrian side that impressed in winning all three of their warm-up matches face a Jordanian outfit in mixed form and at their first global finals. While Nashama star Mousa Al Tamari ($5.6m) holds some appeal, the most likely avenue to points could be Austria’s midfield tempo-setter Marcel Sabitzer ($6.8m), who should be on the bulk of set-pieces and is coming off the back of scoring in all three of those pre-tournament outings.
Highest owned players: MID Marcel Sabitzer (AUT) – 3.4% DEF David Alaba (AUT) – 2.2% MID Carney Chukwuemeka (AUT) – 0.9%
Portugal: Diogo Costa; Diogo Dalot, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Joao Neves, Bruno Fernandes; Francisco Conceicao, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leao. Congo DR: Mpasi-Nzau; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Masuaku; Sadiki, Moutoussamy; Mbuku, Wissa, Elia; Bakambu.
Key targets: Heading into just their second outing on the global stage Congo DR failed to win either of their warm-up matches and now have the daunting task of facing a Portugal side that many are tipping for the title. Given the mammoth ownership they have, both midfielder Bruno Fernandes ($8.5m) and defender Nuno Mendes ($5.8m) are hard to avoid while veteran Cristiano Ronaldo ($10m) is sure to also be heavily involved.
Highest owned players: MID Bruno Fernandes (POR) – 51.1% DEF Nuno Mendes (POR) - 43.2% FWD Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) – 11.5%
Uzbekistan: Yusupov; Abdullaev/Urozov, Ashurmatov, Khusanov; Sayfiev, Shukurov, Khamrobekov, Nasrullaev; Fayzullaev, Urunov; Shomurodov. Colombia: Vargas; Munoz, Davinson Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Lerma, Rios; Luis Diaz, Arias, James Rodriguez; Luis Suarez.
Key targets: Another of the debutants, Uzbekistan, are sure to be given a testing introduction to the World Cup by a Colombian side that many have tipped as title dark-horses. There’s been plenty of attention going the way of cut-price full-back Johan Mojica ($3.9m) while the attacking decision may come down to a choice between the prolific, but more expensive, Luis Diaz ($8.1m) or the eternal magic that James Rodriguez ($6.5m) is capable of conjuring up.
Highest owned players: MID Luis Diaz (COL) – 18.4% DEF Daniel Munoz (COL) – 8.1% DEF Johan Mojica (COL) – 4.9%
England: Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, O'Reilly; Rice, Anderson, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Gordon. Croatia: Livakovic; Stanisic, Caleta-Car, Sutalo, Gvardiol; Modric, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic; Budimir.
Key targets: As always, England head into the tournament with a weight of lofty expectations from a demanding public and they have a chance to make an early statement against an ageing Croatia side. The prolific Harry Kane ($10.5m) is one of the most expensive options in the game and thus is hard to avoid, while midfielder Jude Bellingham ($8.3m) has the talent, and perhaps a point to prove should he earn the starting nod.
Highest owned players: FWD Harry Kane (ENG) – 37.2% GK: Jordan Pickford (ENG) – 14.9% DEF: Nico O’Reilly (ENG) – 11.9%
Ghana: Asare; Seidu, Adjetey, Mumin, Mensah; Partey, Sibo; Fatawu, Owusu, Semenyo; Jordan Ayew. Panama: Mosquera; Murillo, Escobar, Cordoba, Davis; Godoy, Martinez, Carrasquilla; Barcenas, Diaz, Fajardo.
Key targets: Having lit up the English Premier League over the past several seasons, forward Antoine Semenyo ($7.2m) looms as Ghana’s chief creative threat. Up against a Panama side that has failed to keep a clean sheet this calendar year, captain Jordan Ayew ($5.3m) could also be a worthwhile investment as he chases his nation’s all-time appearance record.
Highest owned players: FWD Antoine Semenyo (GHA) – 4.3% DEF Marvin Senaya (GHA) – 1.2% FWD Prince Adu (GHA) – 1.2%
Sources: FIFA Official
