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 |
