Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé remain the obvious premium forwards. Selecting all three could deliver captaincy upside, but it would leave less room for reliable midfielders and attacking full-backs.
The better route may be pairing one elite striker with mid-priced players:
The reported “maximum captain” and “12th man” chips also make squad depth more valuable than in a standard fantasy format. A strong substitute could become decisive if late team news changes a manager’s plans.
Because transfers open up after the groups, managers do not need to protect every selection for the knockout rounds. Early opponents should shape the first squad, with reported attention on Germany’s attacking options against Curaçao and Spain’s favourable opening path.
That flexibility also makes Kai Havertz, Arda Güler, Brahim Díaz and Jeremy Doku attractive rotation pieces. They can cover difficult fixtures without consuming the budget required for a premium captain.
Fantasy systems often reward full-backs who create chances as well as defenders who collect clean-sheet points. Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes and Denzel Dumfries carry that attacking profile, while Gabriel Magalhães is listed at $5.5m and offers threat from set pieces.
The report also highlights Ecuador’s defensive record: an unbeaten run of 19 matches and only six goals conceded. If that form remains current, William Pacho at $4.4m becomes a logical budget anchor.
The key storyline before the tournament will be confirmed fitness and starting roles. Final line-ups, goalkeeper selections and the last fixture swings should determine whether managers spend big on three stars or spread the budget across a deeper XI.