The Fantasy FIFA World Cup 2026 is underway, and Round 1 deadline day has arrived. Managers must finalize their Scout Picks, emphasizing the importance of a solid squad of 15 players. A larger squad allows for manual substitutions, enabling managers to replace underperforming players with those who haven’t played yet.
Round 1 Scout Picks Overview
As we focus on Round 1 exclusively, some key players have been omitted due to challenging matchups. For example, players from Brazil are not featured as they face Morocco, a tricky clash. However, Brazil will play against Haiti in Round 2, making it essential for managers to plan beyond just Round 1.
Goalkeeper Choices
- Hernan Galindez (Ecuador) – $4.2m: Approaching 5% ownership, making him less favorable for scouting bonuses.
- Justin Crepeau (Canada) – $4.0m: Also nearing the 5% mark, prompting a shift towards other options.
- Alexander Schlager (Austria) – $4.7m: Low ownership (
- Camilo Vargas (Colombia) – $4.3m: Recently solidified his position as a starter with a clean sheet in the last friendly.
Defensive Selections
Several teams are favored for clean sheets in Round 1, including Germany, Spain, Norway, Switzerland, and Mexico. Our Scout Picks for defenders include:
- Julian Ryerson (Norway) – $4.2m: Top expected assists in UEFA qualification.
- Joshua Kimmich (Germany) – $5.5m: Involved in set pieces, with seven corners taken recently.
- Marc Cucurella (Spain) – $5.1m: High ownership makes him a safer pick compared to Pedro Porro.
- Nico Elvedi (Switzerland) – $4.3m: Low ownership offers potential for scouting bonuses.
- Johan Vásquez (Mexico) – $4.9m: Solid showing in friendlies as captain material.
Midfield Talent
Midfielders earn points for tackles and key passes. Here are our top picks:
- Florian Wirtz – $7.5m: Strong chance creator in qualifications.
- Bruno Fernandes – $8.5m: Involved in penalty situations, increasing his value.
- Marcel Sabitzer – $6.8m: Effective in set-piece duties with strong creativity.
- James Rodriguez – $6.5m: Exceptional key pass statistics in South America.
- Leroy Sane – $7.4m: Secured a strong role after recent performances, pushing him into the top picks.
Top Forwards
Here are the forwards to consider for Round 1:
- Erling Haaland – $10.5m: Among the top strikers in xG per 90 minutes from UEFA qualification.
- Mikel Oyarzabal – $8.1m: Offers great value with favorable fixtures.
- Kylian Mbappe – $10.5m: While facing Senegal, he brings robust attacking potential.
With these selections, Fantasy managers are encouraged to strategize effectively for the Fantasy FIFA World Cup 2026, ensuring their squad is ready for the crucial opening round.
