Who to Pick for the 2026 World Cup Fantasy Football: Matchday 3 Guide (25 – 26 August Games)

By Eduard Bănulescu

It’s crunch time in the 2026 Fantasy Football World Cup, with some of the biggest teams still working on making their way out of the groups. And are you looking to assemble a winning selection ahead of Matchday 3? Got you covered!

I’ve been writing fantasy football guides for over eight years. I’m letting you in on a few secrets. Here are the players that you need on your teams, those you need to avoid, and info about set-piece and penalty takers.

If this doesn’t work, you’re stuck playing on your console for the rest of the Summer.

And if you fancy earning some prizes and challenging the best fantasy managers, head over to the free FootballCoin contest that includes these games.

World Cup Fantasy Picks: Matchday 1 Guide (June 24–25) – Win XFC Rewards

The Matchday 3 Slate

Set-Piece & Penalty Matrix

24-25 Fantasy Football Selection

The “Locks”

Curacao – Ivory Coast

Curacao qualifying out of this group would be one of the feel-good stories of the World Cup. However, I’ve seen enough of this Ivory Coast side to be confident of its chances. I think that you should load up your fantasy football selections with Les Éléphants.

This will be an attacking game where Diomande will prove essential. Bonny and Diallo also deserve your attention. I liked the way Kessie and Sangare break down opponents’ attacks.

And, I think that Y. Fofana is a good pick if you’re only looking for a clean sheet and nothing else.

Curacao’s keeper, Room, will get the chance to be a hero here. Bacuna could also be in your team.

Ecuador – Germany

Germany is relentless against teams less impressive than themselves. But the Germans are already qualified, and Ecuador needs to wipe away the disappointment of previous games. Factor these things into your fantasy football selection.

We may finally see a better performance from Pacho, Hincapie, Caicedo or Estupinan. But, frankly, there are better options out there.

Germany, meanwhile, is going to rotate. Keeper Baumann will be very motivated to keep a clean sheet here. Goretzka will try to take his chance as well. Undav, however, is likely to start and could get on the scoreboard again against the South Americans.

Japan – Sweden

I’ve been very impressed with Japan and very disappointed with Sweden at this tournament. While both teams are in the running to qualify, I see the Asian side as far superior at this stage.

Sure, Sweden has Isak and Gyokeres. They remain decent options. However, they would need good distribution from players like Bergvall and Elanga, or Karlstro and I haven’t seen enough of that.

Japan, however, shines when it comes to stats. Kamada made 48 successful passes in Matchday 1. And, Itakura made 76 successful passes and had 8 successful tackles last time around. Both deserve to be in your team.

But Japan is especially impressive with the tactical discipline that it’s shown. Tomyasu, Ueda, and Ito are excellent picks.

The “Enablers”

Tunisia – Netherlands

Netherlands has defied my expectations so far. Yet, this game has little riding on it, and the Dutch may look to get the most economical victory that they can.

Expect Brobbey to be the centre of attention once again. However, Van Dijk, Van Hecke, Reijnders and Gravenberch, with their ball control, are the ones really likely to earn points here.

Only Mejbri and Rekik have impressed me so far on the Tunisia side to warrant selection.

The “Wild Cards”

Paraguay – Australia

This will be a highly disputed game. The winner is the one who will surely qualify for the knockout rounds. But this is also a hard game to call. These are unpredictable teams.

I think that for your fantasy football selection, you could take a chance on Paraguay’s Gomez, whom I keep encouraging you to pick. Caceres, Galarza, and Pitta are other young, inexpensive picks.

Australia’s Irakunda, Toure, Geria and Okon-Engstler are similarly good picks due to their price tag (the cards are free in FootballCoin) and relatively strong performance in the first two games.

Turkiye – USA

Turkiye has embarrassed itself at this World Cup, sadly. The USA is already qualified, but still willing to entertain  home audiences with a third win.

Don’t waste your time on the Turkish stars. If you have to pick someone, go for Yuksek, Muldur or Bardakci. They, at least, put their work in. The

USA will rotate players. Even so, this will be a strong team. Weah, Reyna, and goalie Freese can start for your team.

The “Traps”

Ecuador’s forward, Valencia and Plata will struggle even against Germany’s second defensive line-up.

Gakpo and Malen may play well against Tunisia. However, there are more affordable options available.

No Turkish stars this time! Guler, Yildiz, and Calhanoglu should sit this selection out.

The 22-24 June Games

The “Locks” – Players You Need

Morocco – Haiti

Morocco has been playing brilliantly at this World Cup. The Africans are saying, after all, that they plan to win the whole thing by 2030. Haiti, meanwhile, has done better than expected.

Neither team has much to play for here. Morocco can live with a second-place group finish. Still, I think that there are players here that you need.

Bono will likely start and keep a clean sheet. He’s a good pick for goalie for Matchday 3.

Saibari is in excellent form and is an affordable pick. The exact same can be said about El Aynoui and Riad.

Scotland – Brazil

Finally, a game with some jeopardy. Scotland need a win to ensure qualification. Brazil would like to avoid a second-place finish here.

Sadly, Scotland was atrocious against Morocco. Regardless, I think McTominay, Tierney and McGinn will put up a real fight.

Meanwhile, if budget allows it, I suggest picking some of Brazil’s defenders for this one, with Douglas Santos and Marquinhos the chief picks. Vinicius Jr. is an essential pick.

And there’s a sense of intrigue about what Rayan is going to do here if he does get the chance to start, as has been advertised recently.

I also like Alisson, but perhaps as a secondary option to Bono for your 2026 World Cup fantasy football selection.

The “Enablers” – Players that Might Surprise You

South Africa – South Korea

Sadly, neither South Africa nor South Korea have quite impressed at this World Cup. Fortunately for them, both teams can still qualify. This should bring out the best in the players.

I still have some faith in goalie Williams. Modiba, Mbokazi, and Mbatha are strong, affordable options if you need a few players to flesh out an already expensively assembled fantasy football squad.

But it’s the Koreans who have the real flair here. Son, K. Lee, and Hwang, finally, become essential picks because of the sheer stakes of the game.

Han-Beom is a great outside shout. The Korean made 9 clearances and had 50 successful passes last time he played.

Czech Republic – Mexico

Mexico is already qualified after performing above expectations. Czechia, meanwhile, has been borderline terrible. However, the Europeans are known to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

I have always been a fan of Czechia. But I can’t find much to enjoy this time. I like Krejci‘s commitment. I think he can be picked alongside veteran Coufal.

Mexico’s just here to please the audience. Quinones‘ speed will be important here. Gimenez can take advantage of his chance to play. Lira has been very good so far.

The “Wild Cards” – Players You Probably Don’t Need

Bosnia & Herzegovina – Qatar

Both teams did well to secure one point so far. Both teams can secure qualification with a good display in their final game.

Surprisingly, it’s been Bosnia’s youngsters that have done best. Tahirovic, Mahmic, Basic, and Alajbegovic should be on your fantasy football radar.

I’ve also liked Qatar’s midfielder Khoukhi and defender Carvalho.

Switzerland – Canada

Both the Swiss and the Canadians are riding high after last week’s victories. And while both would like to avoid a tougher draw in the knockout stage, this has a draw written all over it.

Switzerland’s midfield might have a few players worth considering. These, in my estimation, are Freuler, Aebischer and team leader Xhaka. I’ve also liked Akanji‘s commitment, but he may be a pick that is a little too expensive.

Young striker Manzambi looks at least a class above Embolo and Vargas, but he is unlikely to start.

Canada, meanwhile, are soaking in the good vibes and will keep crossing the ball over to J. David and Larin. It’s worked so far.

Eustaquio and Johnston have also impressed me. Their stats suggest that they could be strong options for your fantasy football team for Matchday 3.

The “Traps” – Players You Should Avoid

Hakimi and Mazroui are playing good football at the moment. But with the qualification almost in the bag, they are unlikely to play the full 90 minutes.

Cunha scored against Haiti. However, Scotland may prove slightly stronger opposition.

Mokoena‘s performance was one of South Africa’s few bright spots. He will, however, be suspended here.

Been disappointed with Schick and Hlozek‘s uninspired displays. I can’t see a reason why you would pick them.

There are better options than Bosnia’s veterans Kolasinac and Dzeko.

Finally, Switzerland’s starting attacking players: Ndoye, Embolo, and Vargas have not convinced me.

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