ServerVultr

By Eduard Bănulescu

⚡ La Liga Gameweek 1 Deadline Alert

• Contest Target: La Liga GW1 Free Entry Contest ($0 cost, real XFC prizes).
• Deadline: Saturday evening (before first La Liga kickoff).
• Roster Strategy: 11 Starters (mix of 1★/2★ free leased cards + 5★ cornerstone stars) + Assistant Manager multiplier.

👉 Build Your Free Serie A GW1 Lineup on FootballCoin Before Deadline

It’s on! The new La Liga season has started, and you probably have a lot of questions left unanswered. You’re looking to win your La Liga fantasy football contests, too, aren’t you?

I’m here to help. FootballCoin has set up a contest that includes the matches between the 25th and 27th of August, 2026. I’ve been writing fantasy football advice columns for a decade, and these are the players that I think you need.

�

My GW1-2 La Liga Squad Reveal

These are the games from the second part of GW1 and also the ones that start GW2. Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are included in this one. I want to suggest a team that mixes experience and youth, stars and budget picks.

I’m playing in a 4-4-2 formation.

�

Position	Player Name	Club	Card Tier	Why Included for GW1
GK	Andrei Radu	Celta de Vigo	2★ – Free w/ lease	Clean sheet potential vs Osasuna
DEF 1	Dean Huijsen	Real Madrid	3★	Good, confident start to the season for Real Madrid
DEF 2	Rodrigo Riquelme	Betis	2★ – Free w/ lease	Underrated player in strong form
DEF 3	Jesus Vasquez	Valencia	2★ – Free w/ lease	Good full-back with strong attacking instincts
DEF 4	Xavi Espart	Barcelona	1★ – Free	This season can prove to be a major upgrade for him
MID 1	Miguel Roman	Celta de Vigo	2★ – Free w/ lease	In-form midfielder who can perform well against Osasuna
MID 2	Oihan Sancet	Athletic Bilbao	2★ – Free w/ lease	Can you believe he’s still a free card? Get him!
MID 3	Facundo Bernal	Betis	1★ – Free	Youngster with a lot of potential
MID 4	Jude Bellingham	Real Madrid	5★	One of the top midfielders in the world at the moment
FW 1	Ante Budimir	Internazionale	2★ – Free w/ lease	Consistent striker who is a real bargain pick
FW 2	Raphinha	Baarcelona	5★	Brazilian striker who put in a dominating performance in GW1
AM	Jordi Alba	Retired AM	5★	A 5* Assistant Manager is a must-have

3 Must-Have “Sleeper Picks” for GW1-2

• Alvaro Valles (Proven Shotstopper): Bargain pick with potential to maintain a clean sheet
• Abel Bretones (Creative Wing-Back):Bretones is, technically, a wide defender, but his attacking potential makes him a strong pick
• Inigo Arguibide (Attacking Defender): Young attacking player who is always capable of a strong tackle when needed

�

�

By Eduard Bănulescu

⚡ Gameweek 1 Deadline Alert

• GW1 Deadline: Friday evening (before kickoff).
• Roster Constraint: 11 Starters + 5 Substitutes (Focus on 1★/2★ free cards + Assistant Manager multiplier).
• Target Contest: Free  EPL🇬🇧-R1 Contest ($0 cost, 5.400 XFC rewards).

👉 Build Your Free GW1 Roster on FootballCoin Before Deadline

It always sneaks up on you, doesn’t it? The 26/27 fantasy Premier League season is about to start, and you’re not sure who to start. But you want to win, don’t you? You want to impress your friends with your managerial mastery?

I got you! I’ve been writing fantasy football guides for a decade. And although I can’t predict the future, as some have suggested, I think that I have in mind some player cards that will help you in Gameweek 1 of EPL fantasy football.

Need more? Here’s a guide I wrote with everything you need to know about fantasy Premier League this season and a full list of the bargain picks this season.

Now, knowledge is a powerful thing. But you’d best use it. Head over and join the free FootballCoin EPL contest.

My GW1 Fantasy Squad Reveal

As I told you before, my fantasy football selection never prioritises the stars, but also never forgets to consider them altogether.

Instead, I like to think about what my competitors might fail to consider. Who are the players that are likely to give you an advantage? Who are the youth players and veterans that aren’t being considered by most other managers?

With this in mind, and with the GW1 fixtures in front of me, here is my GW1 squad. Hope this will inspire you to make smart choices.

I’m playing a 5-4-1.

Position	Player Name	Club	Card Tier	Why Included for GW1
GK	Senne Lammens	Manchester United	2★ – Free w/ lease	Clean sheet potential vs Hull
DEF 1	Virgil van Dijk	Liverpool	5★	Passing, tackles, leads by example
DEF 2	Jeremy Jacquet	Liverpool	1★ / Free	Looking to make a meaningful debut
DEF 3	Thomas Meunier	Sunderland	4★	Good fixture, eager to impress
DEF 4	Abdukodir Khusanov	Manchester City	2★ – Free w/ lease	Looking to become defensive leader
DEF 5	Chadi Riad	Crystal Palace	2★ – Free w/ lease	Ambitious, smart, looking to make a splash
MID 1	Adam Wharton	Crystal Palace	2★ – Free w/ lease	Top midfielder near peak form
MID 2	Elliot Anderson	Manchester City	4★	Good, early fixture to settle him in
MID 3	Bruno Fernandes	Manchester United	5★	Corners, penalties, assists
MID 4	Dominik Szoboszlai	Liverpool	5★	Creative engine of a revamped Liverpool
FW	Erling Haaland	Manchester City	5★	Best striker in the world atm
AM	Wayne Rooney	Retired AM	5★	A 5* Assistant Manager is a must-have

3 Must-Have “Sleeper Picks” for GW1

Everything can change in a moment! Injuries, squad rotation, or a mystery trip to Spain can derail your squad selection.

Here are my 3 “sleeper picks,” players that I want you to keep an eye on ahead of GW1 of the Fantasy Premier League in FootballCoin.

• Robin Roefs (Proven Shotstopper): Consistent performer last season. Good, early fixture against Ipswich
• Johan Manzambi (Midfield Creator):�Great dribbler, powerful in the air, eager to impress on his debut
• Brian Brobbey (Athletic Forward): Battering ram of a striker. Found form late last season. Good chance to score against Ipswich

Final Checklist Before Deadline

• Double-check your starting line-up 60 minutes ahead of the FootballCoin contest’s starting time
• Make sure you have a 5*-rated Assistant Manager in your squad (it’ll give you 15 automatic points)
• Refresh your memory with my EPL fantasy guide and budget pick matrix

🚀 Ready to enter your lineup? Lock In Your Free GW1 Team on FootballCoin Now

By Eduard Bănulescu

Serie A fantasy football, or fantacalcio if you prefer, isn’t for people who don’t know their tactics. It’s not for people not willing to keep up with the new stars of international football. And it certainly isn’t suited for those incapable of creating a budget-friendly selection.

Ahead of the 2026/27 season, I’d like to see you win. Here are the Serie A fantasy football cards in FootballCoin that are free to pick and which should improve your squad in Gameweek 1 and across the season.

What do I know? I’ve been writing these fantasy football guides for a decade. I hope that you’ll be able to use these tips efficiently.�

Register for the FootballCoin free contests now, and let’s see the players you need on your team.

Gameweek 1 Budget Cheat Sheet

Goalkeeper

Player	Club	Ranking
Zion Suzuki	Parma	2*
Elia Caprile	Cagliari	2*

Defenders

Player	Club	Ranking
Alex Jimenez	Fiorentina	2*
Martin Vitik	Bologna	2*
Anass Salah Eddine	AS Roma	1*
Honest Ahanor	Atalanta	2*
Konstantinos Koulierakis	AS Roma	2*

Midfielders

Player	Club	Ranking
Niccolo Pisilli	AS Roma	2*
Christ Inao Oulai	Fiorentina	1*
Neil Aynaoui	AS Roma	2*
Maximo Perrone	Como	2*
Aleksandar Stankovic	Inter Milano	2*

Attackers

Player	Club	Ranking
Pio Esposito	Inter Milano	2*
Santiago Castro	AS Roma	2*
Assane Diao	Como	2*
Ange-Yoan Bonny	Inter Milano	2*
Jesus Rodriguez	Como	2*

Serie A Fantasy Football Budget Strategy

Each fantacalcio manager needs to work their own strategy. This will differentiate the clear winners from the almost winners.

However, in my opinion, you should scout throughout the season for rookie and untested players with great potential. They’ll typically also be ranked 1* and 2* in FootballCoin.

They should be the majority of your picks. But you need to balance them with a minority of well-known stars, players known to avoid injury, capable of earning points each week.

How to Combine Serie A Free Cards with Assistant Managers

The budget picks that I suggest only work if you get an Assistant Manager card on your team that will improve your team’s scoring.

For example, 5* Assistant Manager cards earn 15 points in each contest in which they’re chosen. A mix of free cards and top Assistant Manager cards will be your best choice.

Position-by-Position Bargain Breakdown

Best Budget Goalkeepers (Clean Sheet Machines)

Player	Club	Ranking
Zion Suzuki	Parma	2*
Elia Caprile	Cagliari	2*

Best Budget Defenders (EPL’s Hardmen)

Player	Club	Ranking
Honest Ahanor	Atalanta	2*
Konstantinos Koulierakis	AS Roma	2*

Best Bargain Midfielders (The Points Engine)

Player	Club	Ranking
Maximo Perrone	Como	2*
Aleksandar Stankovic	Inter Milano	2*

Best Budget Forwards (Differential Goalscorers)

Player	Club	Ranking
Pio Esposito	Inter Milano	2*
Ange-Yoan Bonny	Inter Milano	2*

Here’s an article where you can find everything you need to know about Serie A fantasy football in FootballCoin for the 2026/27 season.

�

Who are your fantasy football picks?
Do you opt for many budget-friendly players?
Have your say by playing FootballCoin. You can be rewarded daily for your choices.

Start playing

By Eduard Bănulescu

The Premier League remains the most watched club football competition in the world. And, after watching the World Cup, it’s likely that it remains the most entertaining football competition altogether. But how will you show that you’re a master of it?

Everyone needs proof of their skill. And everyone deserves to be rewarded for their knowledge. Premier League fantasy football offers both.

And when it comes to FootballCoin, Premier League fantasy football is given the most strategically complex of frameworks, along with real prizes and a sophisticated game economy.

I’ve been writing fantasy football guides and sports articles for well over a decade, and I think that FootballCoin will offer you the thrills and security that you demand from a fantasy football game.

Here is, in a nutshell, how the Fantasy Premier League works in FootballCoin, how you can win, and why these winnings are likely to thrill you.

�

EPL 2026/27 FootballCoin Quick Summary

The Premier League 2026/27 season begins on August 21st, 2026, and ends on May 30th 2027. All of the EPL games will be included in FootballCoin contests.

💡 New to FootballCoin? You do not need to purchase player cards to start competing. You can build a 100% free squad using default cards and compete for real rewards starting Gameweek 1. 👉 Create Your Free Account & Select Your EPL Squad Now

FootballCoin is a fantasy football game where you choose your ideal team using player cards from all the teams involved in the competition. Then, at the end of each round, player cards are given points based on the players’ real-life performances. The teams with the most amount of points win.

That sounds similar to most fantasy football games that you’re familiar with, right?

Fortunately, there are a few twists to FootballCoin which, I think, make it a more appealing game.

Firstly, this is a daily fantasy game where each round is treated as a separate event. Both free and private contests are created.

Secondly, FootballCoin is built around a complex economy that has existed for nearly a decade. Player cards are mostly free, but some can be leased and purchased. Prizes are given automatically, and one of the ways to use them is inside the game in order to improve your squad.

And, if playing fantasy football isn’t your cup of tea, you can still profit from the game by leasing out your unused cards, creating content, and trading cards. Etc.

But what I like the most is the way that the game is actually played. Most fantasy football games take into account goals, assists and very little else. FootballCoin’s scoring system, on the other hand, is a complex one where even long passes and tackles can make the difference. FootballCoin uses real data to get its stats. And the contest info is registered on the company’s blockchain, making it a fair and transparent affair.

Free Cards vs. Collectible Cards

Will you want to create a create an EPL fantasy football team using players from Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United? Sure, no problem!

Are you worried that you’ll exceed your budget, or that there are restrictions about choosing multiple players from the same team? No need to worry!

I’ll say it once again: FootballCoin allows you to create your ideal team!

You’ll be choosing from cards rated from 1* to 5*, each representing a player.

The vast majority of cards are 1* and 2*. These are free to pick by anyone. They mainly represent young players, or those who have yet to win major awards.

The 4* and 5* cards are collectible cards. They are similar to Panini or Topps cards, but are issued on the blockchain. They’re here to be collected and used to make profit.

Once you purchase them, they are yours forever. You can use them in games, sell them, or lease them out.

And what happens when the players retire? The cards maintain their value. The cards become Assistant Manager cards inside the game. Each team includes one Assistant Manager who earns points automatically based on his rank. In other words, your Wayne Rooney card rated at 5* is still earning you 15 points whenever you choose it. How’s that for an investment?

Key 2026/27 EPL Season Strategy & Budget Hacks

But, above everything else, we’re all here for the passion we have for the game, right? It’s been for too long that our love of football has been merely an afterthought within this gigantic industry. FootballCoin puts that first!

This also means that FootballCoin’s fantasy football is designed to encourage the managers who have strong, complex strategies.

What are some of the season-long strategies that I know work for the Premier League game?

A mix of consistency and scouting of newly transferred players, for example.

On the one hand, you’re unlikely to get a great game from even Bruno Fernandes or Declan Rice each week. But if your instinct tells you that they’ll have a good season, stick with them. When you add up the points tally, this will pay off.

But also, be flexible when it comes to new players to the Premier League. We’re bound to be surprised! How many managers of FPL chose Igor Thiago when assembling their team at the start of the season? How many brought him into it once the season went on?

In FootballCoin, it’s also good to play the market. Cheap 4* and 5* cards will become available, especially at the start of a new campaign. They’re worth considering.

However, many of the players that will really move the needle are the 1* and 2* cards. These are either new transfers, players brought in from the youth squads, or those who’ve received an opportunity after serving years in the Championship. Players from clubs like Brentford or Nottingham Forest ranked 1* or 2* in the game have done wonders for the managers that have picked them.

In my opinion, there are genuinely numerous reasons to get excited by FootballCoin’s fantasy football system. Let me just try to list a few of the ones that I like the most.

First of all, FootballCoin has nearly all of the major leagues in the world in the game,�just the Premier League. Watching a bit of La Liga at the weekend, and catching Arsenal in the Champions League mid-week? Make that experience count!

Secondly, FootballCoin is a game of skill. There’s nothing hidden about it. This is a game that rewards real football fans.

FootballCoin has been around for a decade when so many other games and projects of its kind have disappeared. What does this consistency tell you?

That’s why, if you’re looking to enjoy the Premier League and, once more, get some genuine joy out of watching it, commenting on it, and making informed choices, it’s my opinion that you’ll love FootballCoin in the 2026/27 season.

�

Who are your fantasy football picks?
Do you opt for many budget-friendly players?
Have your say by playing FootballCoin. You can be rewarded daily for your choices.

Start playing

By Eduard Bănulescu

You had your chance! Each day of this World Cup tournament, FootballCoin has given you the opportunity to choose your ideal team and win fantasy football prizes. Who were your best picks? And who were those players that surprised and disappointed you?

A few of them might show up here. These are the best of the best. This is the 2026 World Cup Team of the Tournament.

How did I choose it? I’ve been writing fantasy football columns for nearly a decade. Still, I didn’t just use my trained eye, but rather the FootballCoin stats.

Think you’ve won? Take a look:

These are the best players and you can still be the best manager. Play FootballCoin daily! A new season is on the way with the world’s top football leagues. I’ll see you there.

The 2026 World Cup Best XI

Goalkeeper

Unai Simon

I think that the best goalkeepers are the ones that you have to think about the least. Unai Simon was hardly ever troubled throughout this World Cup tournament. Spain only conceded one goal.

As a consequence, his fantasy football points came from clean sheets and consistency. In terms of the games, he was not the most exciting choice. However, in terms of overall performance, he was an ace.

Notable Mention: Orlando Gil (Paraguay)

I want to give a shoutout to Orlando Gil. The MLS-playing goalkeeper really impressed for Paraguay. And, I fear that the South Americans’ aggressive display against France risks being the sole thing remembered of theirs in the World Cup. No, let’s also remember Gil’s heroics.

Defenders

Achraf Hakimi

If you look on the FootballCoin stats page, you’ll notice an amazing thing. Achraf Hakimi, Morocco’s star defender, has more points than all the Spanish or Argentinian defenders who played more games. That’s amazing, as is Hakimi’s consistency on the Big Stage. A truly generational talent!

Pau Cubarsi

Spain’s team was, in my estimation, a perfect mix of youth and experience. Pau Cubarsi perfectly exemplifies this. Playing with confidence and poise, the Barcelona youngster kept Spain’s goal safe and netted a lot of fantasy football points in the process.

Aymeric Laporte

There were some doubters of Aymeric Laporte’s ability before the tournament. However, the Manchester City defender showed that his addition to the squad was made considering not just his playing itself, but the dynamics in the team. What did this mean? Laporte helped the Iberians win their second World Cup and helped the fantasy football managers who picked him earn a lot of points every week.

Dayot Upamecano

There’s an image of a tired but relentless Dayot Upamecano charging the England midfielders in the playoff for third place. That’s a good snapshot of his ability and attitude at present. There were more famous names that you could’ve chosen, but your fantasy football team was better off with him in your side.

Notable Mention: Davinson Sanchez (Colombia)

Let me highlight Davinson Sanchez’s great performances for a moment. Colombia just as much as it feasibly could in this tournament. And while the fans are going to rave about James Rodriguez and David Luiz, Sanchez’s stats show a defender that knows perfectly what is needed of him in this setup.

Midfielders

Michael Olise

Michael Olise was so good in the first rounds of the World Cup that the final two games, naturally, felt like a letdown. No matter! What he did was still enough to make him the single most effective midfielder in fantasy football. For assists or command over France’s attacking plays, there was nobody better.

Rodri

Still, in terms of overall midfield work, I’d have to choose Rodri as the MVP. In fact, his defensive sweeping is, likely, the reason why Spain won the World Cup so easily. Picking him after the first couple of games felt like a risk. But those who took it were better off.

Jude Bellingham

There were moments where Jude Bellingham looked like an absolute star. His confidence and prowess are almost enough to forget that the England midfielder is barely out of his teens. In front of goal and, often, when it mattered most, Bellingham came good.

Declan Rice

Rice was England’s most important player when the tournament started. However, his involvement, I think, also shows the peril of overworking one player. He and Harry Kane were knackered by the time of the Argentina meetup.

Still, Declan Rice earned enough points to make him fit into the Team of the Tournament. He was one of the most picked players in fantasy football. Trust me!

Notable Mention: Eustaquio Stephen (Canada)

Canada did better than many had expected. And it wasn’t David or Davies that were the stars on display. To my mind, that honour goes to Eustaquio Stephen. It’s not quite enough to make the TOTT, but well worth praising for a moment.

Forwards

Lionel Messi

Yes, yes, he was magical many times when Argentina struggled the most. Lionel Messi scored important goals, provided great assists, and walked the field, coming alive in the essential moments. Argentina didn’t win this one, but Messi’s legacy is complete.

Did you pick him in your fantasy football team at every chance that you got? You better have!

Kylian Mbappe

All of the big-name strikers scored goals in this World Cup. Of them, Kylian Mbappe looked like the player most determined to win the Golden Boot. And, so he did. Goals count for a lot in fantasy football, of course, and Mbappe’s performances leave no doubt as to his being part of the Team of the Tournament.

Notable Mention: Julian Quinones (Mexico)

Messi, Mbappe, Haaland, Kane, and Yamal are players that we all knew were going to sparkle at the World Cup.

But let’s not forget about the players that truly seized the opportunity they got. Playing in front of enthusiastic home crowds, the pacy striker Julian Quinones scored some beautiful goals and proved that he is both underrated and capable of going against the world’s best defenders.

While I was aware of Quinones from fantasy football and EAFC, seeing him exceed expectations like this is what makes the World Cup special for me.

�

�

How well did you perform at this 2026 Fantasy Football World Cup? Did your squad selections prove effective, or are you regretting your choices?

Here’s how the best managers in FootballCoin performed! These are the 25 top users in the Best Manager Challenge, along with the prizes they’re set to receive.

Thank you for playing, and get ready for a new season of fantasy football.

�

Here are the winners of the Best Manager Challenge along with their prizes.

These prizes are due to be added to each of the 25 accounts shortly.

Position	Name	Total Score	Prize-XFC
1	MOSW	20,481.92	25000
2	Albertini	18,415.40	20000
3	Mario	17,673.78	15000
4	Coco77	17,572.61	12500
5	Olguin	13,698.54	10000
6	motanu	13,264.97	9000
7	Claus84	13,154.30	8000
8	L	11,525.16	7000
9	Abitip	8,847.04	6000
10	hellsteeth	8,762.14	5000
11	juliasomething	8,386.56	4000
12	johjo	8,298.76	3500
13	Mihai-Eminescu	8,290.65	3000
14	Ponch55	7,717.58	2500
15	FootSchweinhund	7,697.17	2000
16	Chaot	7,375.55	1500
17	Suiram	7,270.85	1500
18	Mercyx3	7,262.81	1500
19	Geronimo	7,167.03	1500
20	Diagoss99	6,769.64	1500
21	MaxON	6,211.31	1000
22	FatePSE	6,157.80	1000
23	Ion	5,972.90	1000
24	Olic	5,960.25	1000
25	MartynB	5,936.89	1000

Here’s How the Winners were Decided

Let’s remind ourselves how the winners of this tournament-long event were decided.

The Best Manager Challenge rewarded the users who accumulated the highest Total Scorethroughout the free and private contests counting for the 2026 World Cup.

Total Score is determined by 100% of the points earned by a user’s team in official contests, plus 20% of the XFC winnings from the official contests in which they’ve taken part, as well as 20% of the points collected by a user’s team in private contests, plus 20% of the XFC winnings from private contests.

The final rankings seem to have rewarded, especially, those who took part in private contests towards the business end of the World Cup. However, many of the top accounts belong to users who took part in most (or all) of the free FootballCoin contests (which included all of the tournament’s games) and who performed well.

The prizes will be added to the accounts momentarily. These will allow users the opportunity to either improve their squads for the upcoming fantasy football season or to withdraw their XFC into a crypto exchange.

�

By Eduard Bănulescu

I’ve been writing fantasy football guides for a decade. And even I have to get excited at the prospect of the 2026 World Cup final and what it means for fantasy football.

Looking to end the tournament right? Looking to jump up in the standings before the very final whistle? Here are the players that will improve your chances, and the ones that you’d better avoid.

It’s also your last chance to take part in FootballCoin’s free World Cup contest. Make sure you end the tournament on a high note!

�

The “Locks”

There’s no getting around the fact that Messi has been sensational this tournament. Even if Argentina loses, the already mythical number 10 is bound to get a lot of points for your team.

You’ll also need Rodri. I criticised him earlier in the tournament, but his performances have grown from one game to the other. His passes and tackles will prove vital.

How about the goalkeeper? Pick Simon. He’s had the safer pair of hands this tournament. He also has stronger stats than Martinez.

The “Wild Cards”

There will be a lot of talk about Yamal. While I think he’s an incredible player, he’s not essential here. Still, his dips down the flank can lead to a lot of points.

Similar action down the wings can help Cucurella rack up the points and help you win your contest.

Meanwhile, De Paul should be back in the squad and doing a lot of running to compensate for the ageing legs of Messi or Tagliafico.

Finally, Fernandez has been, generally, very good at this World Cup. It just remains to be seen if Spain’s defenders have worked out how to close him down.

�

The “Enablers”

Cubarsi and Laporte may not be the first players you consider when making a typical selection. But the stats speak for themselves. This is an incredible defensive pairing!

Finally, Porro is not a player that you immediately associate with success. However, his performance in the semi-final suggests that you can take a risk on the Spurs wing-back.

The “Costly Mistakes”

I would choose E. Martinez as the goalie sub based simply on Spain’s attacking strength.

Paredes is a very efficient player for getting Argentina over the line. His roughhousing, however, isn’t always reflected in terms of fantasy football points.

Set-Piece & Penalty Matrix

Matchup	Team	Penalties	Free Kicks	Corners
Spain vs. Argentina	Spain	Mikel Oyarzabal	Pedri	Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal
	Argentina	Lionel Messi	Lionel Messi	Lionel Messi, Rodrigo de Paul

By Eduard Bănulescu

The 2026 World Cup fantasy football is nearly over, but not before you give a few final samples of your expertise. Looking to win in the Semi-Finals stage? Let me try to help!

I’ve been covering the tournament and offering selection tips throughout. In fact, I’ve been writing these kinds of articles for nearly a decade. This is why I am fairly confident that I can recommend which players you need on your team and which you ought to avoid.

Remember this free 2026 Fantasy Football World Cup contestwhere you’ll challenge the best fantasy managers and, possibly, end up winning some actual prizes.�

World Cup Fantasy Picks: Semi-Finals

Because there are only two games to pick from, we’ll try something different. I’ll include players from the four teams for the “Locks,” “Wild Cards”, and “Enablers” categories and mix them up.

France – Spain

These two are the most impressive teams in the tournament, in my opinion. They’re also the only two remaining teams that don’t look absolutely shattered.

France is the favourite to win, sure. But I think that Spain, when forced, can absolutely match the French in terms of flair and efficiency.

England – Argentina

Both these teams were lucky to qualify from the Quarter-Finals. While the South Americans have their talisman, Lionel Messi, available, England has a greater advantage. Both teams look physically drained, but the English have slightly more youthful players.

That’s a detail worth keeping in mind when choosing players for the final stages of the fantasy football World Cup.

The “Locks”

Let’s start with the goalie. In theory, Pickford‘s the one who’s managed the most points. But that’s deceiving. Some of that is due to playing more minutes than the others. Plus, the Englishman’s frequent errors aren’t exactly reflected in the points average.

Simon should be your first pick! Don’t be frightened by the marquee names in the French side’s attacking setup. The Spanish goalie can handle it.

Maignan is the runner-up and, likely, your substitute pick. Emi Martinez is a distant third.

When it comes to the defence, Cubarsi and Laporte have been simply sensational. Picking them is an easy choice.

Speaking of defenders who’ve routinely earned a lot of points, take a moment to consider Kounde. I confess to not being a fan regularly. However, his stats indicate he is one of the stronger defensive picks in World Cup fantasy football.

There is also no doubt about either Saliba or Upamecano.

Olise has been one of the best midfielders in the competition and deserves to be picked regardless of effort. His assist record alone shows that.

Dembele, Doue and Mbappe are all great. But if you had to pick one name for a game like Spain, I’d choose Dembele.

Speaking about the Argentinians, E. Fernandez, Mac Allister, and De Paul are all deserving of a chance.

Messi should be pretty knackered by this point, but can still get in the team, slightly, ahead of Alvarez. In fact, if your budget can handle it, Messi can be your top striker choice (ahead of Dembele of Kane).

Moving on to England, there’s no debating that Bellingham has had a great tournament in terms of goals, stats and fantasy football points. Pick him!

Anderson is the other clear starter on this England side.

The “Wild Cards”

Cucurella has had a few good performances, but also matches where he didn’t shine. Still, his attacking contribution makes him a strong pick.

Porro‘s stats also make him a contender. Just remember that the Tottenham wing-back appears as a midfielder in games like FootballCoin.

Lisandro Martinez and Romero have put in impressive numbers. They shine in the Argentine shirt more so than at club level. These things mean that they can be considered for selection.

Paredes makes things happen, even if it means getting kicked by the opposition and forcing them to earn a red card.

O’Reilly has managed to own the left-back position for England. He makes for a strong choice. Stones is also in that conversation.

However, Rice and Kane‘s fitness levels are becoming a concern. They did well earlier in the tournament, but may struggle against Argentina.

The “Enablers”

Ruiz, Olmo and Baena are capable of moments of brilliance. They’ve also racked up points because of Spain’s possession stats and victories. Having said that, I think that there are better players in their position.

Spain’s lone striker, Oyarzabal, is also a strange one. His movement makes a lot of Spain’s attacks possible. But, unless he scores (which doesn’t happen very often), he will not score a lot of points in fantasy football.

Digne has earned his spot in this stellar French side. But he’s not done enough to suggest that he should be your main defensive pick.

Kone isn’t likely to score for France. However, most attacks pass through him and the defensive midfielder has been known to take long-range shots. Eventually, one of those could end in a goal.

Molina does well enough to earn a place in the Argentine team. It’s just too bad that there are more exciting options available.

England’s Gordon is a bit of a risk for your selection. But, if you’re one midfielder short, you could do worse.

The “Costly Mistakes”

What I saw from Pickford against Norway in the Quarter-Finals doesn’t lend much confidence. I think that he’s a player that you can do without in an important contest like this. If only Thomas Tuchel would do the same…

Rabiot does pull the French midfield together. However, he’s an expensive pick, and there are other midfielders with a greater chance of scoring.

It’s impressive to see Tagliafico back in the Argentina squad and fighting for a World Cup medal. However, his lack of speed and vision makes me think you can do better unless you’re desperate for a deal (Tagliafico is a 2* player in FootballCoin).

On the other hand, Madueke has the speed, sure, but he’ll struggle to make the right decision against a compact Argentina defence.

�

Set-Piece & Penalty Matrix

Matchup	Team	Penalties	Free Kicks	Corners
Spain vs. France	Spain	Mikel Oyarzabal	Pedri	Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal
	France	Kylian Mbappé	Michael Olise	Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé
England vs. Argentina	England	Harry Kane	Declan Rice	Declan Rice
	Argentina	Lionel Messi	Lionel Messi	Lionel Messi, Rodrigo de Paul

By Eduard Bănulescu

Do you want to win your World Cup fantasy football events when it matters most? You’d better pay attention to my suggestions. They’ve been known to work in my over 10 years of writing fantasy football columns and providing tips and tricks about who to pick.

Here are the players that you need for the Round of 16, and the ones you’d do best to avoid.

Why not win some prizes in the 2026 Fantasy Football World Cup contests in FootballCoin? It’s all free, and you’ll be competing against the top fantasy managers in the world.

�

World Cup Fantasy Picks: Round of 16

The “Locks”

Portugal – Spain

Sure, this is one of the great European rivalries played out on a football field. Does this have the making of a classic? Will the stars come out tonight? That’s all quite possible.

I hear you asking, “Is Ronaldo worth picking here?” Probably not! Although, in fairness, there’s no reason to ever assume that Cristiano is entirely incapable of coming alive when it matters the most.

Spain, on the other hand, is a great team (according to Ralf Rangnick, the best in the competition) and is just getting revved up to make an impression when it matters most.

Cubarsi and Laporte have provided surprisingly sturdy defence. Cucurella is an attacking wing-back that gets points when he gets in front of goal, which is often. And Pedri is worth the investment.

Baena has been the biggest surprise, the element going against conventional wisdom. Is he worth stretching your budget over? Yes! The same can also always be said about Yamal.

Back to the Portuguese, I think that Leao and B. Fernandes are the better attacking choices you can make. Veiga has had a great tournament.

And while Vitinha and Neves have been relatively underwhelming, this feels like the kind of game when they finally show their worth.

Argentina – Egypt

Argentina struggled to beat Cape Verde. However, you’d expect playing Egypt to suit the South Americans’ style a little better.

This has been Messi‘s playground, once again. The stats simply state that you need him on your fantasy football team. Doing really well, somehow, are also Li. Martinez, Romero, along with E. Fernandez and Mac Allister doing most of the running for Messi in this one.

Is Salah worth a pick? This could be his last World Cup game, so he’ll likely come out swinging. But, in fairness, making a big splash here is a bit of a long shot.

On the other hand, Ashour, Marawan Attia, Ibrahim, and Rabia have done decently well. Besides, all of these players are really affordable picks, making them ones worth considering for the Round of 16 contests.

The “Enablers”

USA – Belgium

Yeah, yeah, the president of the USA had to intervene to get Balogun to play in this one. But is he worth picking? Actually, considering his stats and record, he should be on your radar.

But it’s Tillman and McKennie, along with defender Ream, who really deserve to be picked.

I would also consider taking a risk on goalkeeper Freese. The local support he’ll receive may make him improve upon his typical performances.

Belgium, on the other hand, has been a massive disappointment if you ask me, and the fantasy football stats prove it.

Still, Courtois will get to be a star again in this one. You can’t ever bet against Lukaku, even if he only comes on as a sub. And Tielemans is, by far, the team’s best outfield player.

The “Wild Cards”

Switzerland – Colombia

This, in my book, is a game against the Swiss, who are good and make football seem dull and Colombia, who are decent and make football feel exciting.

Does this have any effect on fantasy football scores?

Pick Arias, Rodriguez and Puerta in your midfield. Also, an investment in Diaz can prove a smart move.

On the Swiss side, you should go for Manzambi, by far the team’s most exciting young talent. He is a free, 2* player card in FootballCoin.

Freuler, Xhaka, and Elvedi are worth keeping on your manager’s radar if you desperately need a last-minute pick.

The “Costly Mistakes”

As mentioned before, while Ronaldo always has potential to shine if provided with the right balls in the right moments, I just think that there are better options available in the competition at this stage. I’ve seen it before in my decade of covering fantasy football, and this, likely, doesn’t work out alright for Portugal.

For similar reasons, I would pass on Olmo. And while Rodri is still important for Spain, he’s been a little sluggish.

Maybe Belgium will finally snap out of its funk against USA. But, judging by performances, I don’t see any reason to spend big on De Bruyne or De Ketelaere. I’ve also praised Vanaken’s potential before, but have been proven wrong so far. Why would things change now?

Set-Piece & Penalty Matrix

Matchup	Team	Penalties	Free Kicks	Corners
Portugal vs. Spain	Portugal	Cristiano Ronaldo	Bruno Fernandes	Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva
	Spain	Mikel Oyarzabal	Pedri	Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal
USA vs. Belgium	USA	Christian Pulisic	Christian Pulisic	Giovanni Reyna
	Belgium	Romelu Lukaku	Kevin De Bruyne	Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans
Argentina vs. Egypt	Argentina	Lionel Messi	Lionel Messi	Lionel Messi, Rodrigo de Paul
	Egypt	Mohamed Salah	Mohamed Salah	Mohamed Salah
Switzerland vs. Colombia	Switzerland	Granit Xhaka	Granit Xhaka	Rubén Vargas
	Colombia	Ali Olwan, Yazan Al-Naimat	Musa Al-Taamari, Ali Olwan	Musa Al-Taamari, Mahmoud Al-Mardi

�

By Eduard Bănulescu

The top nations are shivering in fear, with big names falling out of the competition every day. But who do you need in your 2026 Fantasy Football World Cup in order to win? Here are the names that I recommend you select and the ones that you’d better watch out for.

I’ve been writing fantasy football guides for nearly ten years, and I hope to give you the inside look that you need.

Think you know better? Take that attitude to the free FootballCoin contest, including games from the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup.

�

World Cup Fantasy Picks: Round of 32 (2 – 4 July Matches)

Set-Piece & Penalty Matrix

The “Locks”

Spain – Austria

I had Spain down as my favourite to win the World Cup. Should I reconsider? Playing against the well-organised, but predictable Austria should help extend the Spanish team’s run for at least a while longer.

Yamal and Oyarzabal are must-picks and for obvious reasons. Simonshould be your main goalie pick. Pedri and Cucurella tend to shine in games like this one. Llorenteis a bit of a wild card, but the form he’s displayed this season warrants your attention as a fantasy football manager.

But the Austrians also have something to offer. Seiwald and Lienhart�are consistent, if unexciting, performers at this World Cup. Both are affordable in FootballCoin.

Switzerland – Algeria

Switzerland is not the most exciting team at this tournament. But playing the Round of 32 against Algeria looks like one of the best draws the Swiss could have got. Still, I think you need to be careful here.

Kobel can be a good backup goalkeeper choice. Vargas can do well here. But Manzambi, Xhaka, and Elvedi are the players you cannot do without.

Algeria’s stars, Mahrez and Mandi, are worth considering.

Argentina – Cape Verde

Argentina, along with France, are the only top teams that have genuinely impressed. While Cape Verde is a feel-good story, the South Americans should have enough about them to win comfortably here. This is, in my expert opinion, the perfect match to exploit for fantasy football.

Sure, how can you look past Messi when he keeps scoring so many goals? This looks like a match that suits him perfectly. Veterans Otamendi and Tagliafico are the picks with which you can surprise your opponents. Mac Allister should be in the first team and doing plenty of running to compensate for Messi and La. Martinez.

Meanwhile, Vozinha and P. Lopes are the Cape Verde players you should have on your shortlist.

The “Enablers”

Portugal – Croatia

Frankly, this could go either way. Both teams have shown traces of brilliance as well as considerable defensive frailties. This is a game that you can make work for you if you choose smartly.

Portugal’s Veiga and B. Fernandes make my list. Vitinha and Mendes are also worth considering.

But I’ve been particularly impressed by Croatia’s youngsters Sutalo, Sucic and Musa (if he does start).

Colombia – Ghana

Colombia is one of the teams that I enjoy watching the most at World Cup tournaments. But the South Americans’ attacking flair is about to come against one of the toughest defensive units at this tournament. Here’s who you might need in your fantasy football team.

You know all about Luis Diaz. But I would, particularly, think about taking a chance on J. Rodriguez and Jhon Arias.

Ghana’s defenders Mensah and Senaya impressed me. Both are rated 2* in FootballCoin, by the way.

The “Wild Cards”

Australia – Egypt

This is another game that’s hard to call. Australia and Egypt, to my mind, are evenly matched. It’ll be up to whichever team is more ambitious here. Having said that, there are players that you can get which will improve your chances of winning your fantasy football league.

Trezeguet is worth considering based on his last performance. Meanwhile, the Aussie stalwarts Bos and Irankunda could cause some surprises.

The “Costly Mistakes”

I’d avoid Embolo based on there simply being better options available.

Ronaldo can still do the business in front of goal. But Croatia might not leave him any opportunities to do so.

Similarly, I think that there are better options available than the highly-touted Modric, Gvardiol and Kovacic, although this might be the perfect opportunity for them to live up to their reputation.

Salah is expensive and, likely, injured.