The 48-team group stage is over, and now the World Cup gets even more exciting. For the first time, the tournament moves into a Round of 32, where every match is a knockout. Lose once, and you’re out.
That changes everything for fantasy managers, too. You have unlimited transfers before this round starts, giving you the chance to rebuild your squad. But from here on, every pick matters because if a team is knocked out, all of its players are gone from the tournament.
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Some of the favourites, like France, Brazil, and Argentina, have looked strong, while a few surprise teams have also earned their place in the knockout stage. Choosing the right players now could be the difference between climbing the rankings or falling behind.
The knockout stage also brings two new chips to help fantasy managers. The Clean Sheet Shield protects your defenders’ clean sheet points if they concede a late goal, while the Qualification Booster gives you extra points when your selected players’ teams make it through to the next round.
With that in mind, we’ve looked at the Round of 32 fixtures and the tournament bracket to pick out the best players to bring into your fantasy team.
Goalkeeper
Matt Freese (USA) – $4.2m
One of the biggest reasons behind the USA’s strong start to the tournament has been their goalkeeper. An important clean sheet in matchday 2 helped the Americans book their place in the Round of 32, and there is every reason to believe they can stay solid at the back again.
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A meeting with Bosnia and Herzegovina gives the USA a good chance of another clean sheet. At just $4.2m, Freese is one of the best budget goalkeepers for this round and could reward fantasy managers with valuable points.
Defenders
Antonee Robinson (USA) – $5.0m
The USA have looked solid at the back, and Robinson has been one of their most reliable players. He also likes to get forward, giving him the chance to pick up attacking returns as well as clean sheet points.
The Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina is a good one for the USA, so Robinson is a strong defender to back this week.
He is also owned by just 3.1% of fantasy managers, which means he can earn the Scouting Bonus if the USA keeps a clean sheet. That makes him an even better pick if you’re looking for a quality differential.
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Marcos Llorente (Spain) $5.5m
Spain has been one of the strongest teams in the tournament, and Llorente has played an important role. Although he is listed as a defender, he likes to get forward and create chances, giving him more ways to score fantasy points.
Spain takes on Austria in the Round of 32, and the fixture gives them a good chance of another clean sheet. Llorente’s attacking threat also means he could chip in with an assist or even a goal.
His minutes may not be completely secure, so it is best to have a solid option on your bench in case he misses out from the start.
Regardless, he remains a solid differential. If Spain keeps a clean sheet, he can earn both the clean sheet points and the Scouting Bonus, making him an excellent fantasy option for this round.
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Dayot Upamecano (France) $5.3m
Upamecano has been one of the most dependable defenders in the tournament and has played a big role in France’s strong performances. He has looked calm and composed throughout the group stage, helping his side stay solid at the back.
France faces Sweden in the Round of 32, and while a clean sheet is far from guaranteed, they will expect to control the game. France has been one of the most impressive teams in the tournament so far, which makes their defenders worth considering for this round.
Upamecano may not offer many attacking returns, but his defensive consistency makes him a safe fantasy pick. His low ownership is another bonus, as he can also earn the Scouting Bonus if France keeps a clean sheet, making him a strong differential for fantasy managers.
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Nico O’Reilly (England) $4.7m
O’Reilly has quietly become one of the best budget defenders in the game. He poses a significant attacking threat and was unfortunate not to score in Matchday 2.
With injuries to Reece James, his minutes now look much more secure, making him an even more appealing option for fantasy managers.
The Round of 32 clash with DR Congo is one of the trickier ties at this stage of the tournament, so England are far from guaranteed a clean sheet.
Even so, O’Reilly’s ability to get forward means he can still return points in different ways, whether through an assist, a goal, or defensive returns.
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Midfielders
Ousmane Dembélé (France) $10.0m
Dembélé heads into the Round of 32 as one of the hottest players in the game. He made World Cup history with a first-half hat-trick against Norway, scoring three times in just 32 minutes and taking his tally to four goals for the tournament.
France takes on Sweden next, and while it may not be the easiest fixture, they have looked like one of the best teams in the competition so far.
Dembélé has been at the centre of everything good going forward, with his pace, movement, and ability to beat defenders causing problems in every match.
He is full of confidence right now and looks capable of producing another big fantasy haul. If you are looking for a midfielder with a high ceiling, Dembélé is one of the standout picks for this round.
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Désiré Doué (France) $7.5m
After waiting patiently for his opportunity, Doué grabbed it with both hands against Norway. He looked confident every time he got on the ball and finished the match with a well-taken goal in stoppage time, giving another reminder of the quality he brings to this French side.
His minutes are not completely guaranteed, but he still looks to be the preferred option on the left wing. France’s meeting with Sweden should suit his direct style of play, especially if the game opens up and he is given space to run at defenders.
At $7.5m, he is an easy way to buy into France’s attack without spending too much. If he keeps his place in the starting lineup, he has the quality to reward fantasy managers with another strong return.
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Jude Bellingham (England) $8.3m
Few players are as important to their team as Bellingham. He got England’s World Cup campaign off to a great start with an excellent performance against Croatia, scoring in the opening match and showing why Thomas Tuchel gives him the freedom to get forward.
He followed that up by breaking the deadlock in a 2-0 win over Panama, steering home a volley and setting up Harry Kane for the second. His runs into the box and ability to create chances make him a danger every time he plays.
England hosts DR Congo in the Round of 32 in Atlanta after securing top spot in Group L. Even so, Bellingham has a habit of stepping up in big matches, and with so much of England’s attack going through him, he has every chance of making an impact.
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Whether it’s a goal, an assist, or bonus points, Bellingham can deliver in different ways. That makes him one of the safest premium midfield picks for the knockout round.
Lamine Yamal (Spain) $10.0m
If you’re spending big in midfield, Yamal is one of the easiest players to back. Listed as a midfielder but playing much closer to goal, he gets plenty of touches in dangerous areas and is always looking to create or finish chances. That gives him a higher ceiling than most players in his position.
Austria stands between Spain and a place in the Round of 16, but Spain will fancy their chances after the way they controlled games during the group stage. Yamal has already shown what he can do with his goal against Saudi Arabia, and another attacking return would not be a surprise.
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He is the type of player who can change a game with one moment of brilliance. If you’re looking for a premium midfielder who can deliver double-digit points, Yamal is one of the strongest options for this round.
Forwards
Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) $8.1m
Oyarzabal has been one of the standout forwards of the tournament. After overcoming an early injury concern, he reminded everyone of his quality with a brilliant performance against Saudi Arabia. He scored twice and set up Lamine Yamal’s first World Cup goal in the opening 25 minutes, showing why he is such an important part of Spain’s attack.
Spain takes on Austria in the Round of 32, and Oyarzabal will be expected to lead the line once again. He is always on the move, dropping into wide areas to link up with teammates before making smart runs into the box. That gives him plenty of opportunities to score and create chances.
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At $7.5m, he offers outstanding value for a striker leading the line for one of the tournament favourites. If Spain produces another strong attacking performance, Oyarzabal has every chance of being involved once again.
Harry Kane (England) $10.5m
Kane heads into the knockout stage in outstanding form and remains England’s biggest goal threat. He scored against Panama with a powerful header from a Jude Bellingham cross, a goal that saw him become England’s all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history with 11 goals. After also scoring twice against Croatia, he already has three goals in this tournament.
England will face DR Congo in the Round of 32, and on paper it is a fixture that should give Kane plenty of chances in front of goal. DR Congo deserve credit for reaching the knockout stage, but England will be confident of controlling the game and creating opportunities for their captain.
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Kane is one of the standout premium forwards for this round. He is on penalties, rarely misses big chances, and has a proven record of delivering in major tournaments. If you are looking for a captain, he is one of the strongest options available.
Captaincy Picks
When it comes to captaincy, Ousmane Dembélé, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, Mikel Oyarzabal, and Antonee Robinson stand out as the best options for the Round of 32. All five have favourable fixtures and the ability to deliver big fantasy returns, whether through goals, assists, clean sheets, or bonus points. If you’re chasing a big score this round, you can’t go wrong with any of them wearing the captain’s armband.
Who makes your Round of 32 Fantasy team? Let us know your must-have picks and captain choice in the comments below.
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