The World Cup fantasy football game has launched, so we can now start planning our teams ahead of the tournament.
The forward position has the most premium assets, including 8 at $10m or above, the most of any position.
That’s why it’s crucial to get these picks right, as they’re expensive and you can only choose three.
They will make up the majority of the players you captain. The captaincy holds extra importance which we discuss further in our World Cup fantasy captain article.
Here are the best forwards you can pick in the 2022 World Cup fantasy game.
| Name | Team | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappe | France | $11.5m |
| Harry Kane | England | $11m |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | $10.5m |
| Neymar | Brazil | $10.5m |
| Memphis Depay | Netherlands | $8.5m |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | $10m |
| Olivier Giroud | France | $7.5m |
Kylian Mbappe
- Price: $11.5m
- Fixtures: Australia, Denmark, Tunisia
- Picked by: 37%
The winner of the best young player award at the last World Cup is the most expensive player in the game.
France’s group consists of Australia, Denmark, and Tunisia, which shouldn’t be too difficult for the holding champions to navigate.
Mbappe is in fine form for PSG this season, scoring 11 times in Ligue 1, and is the league’s current top scorer.
The only doubt is France’s poor form pre-tournament, but that’s not something to read too much into.
Some World Cup fantasy managers might fancy Karim Benzema ($11m) instead.
However, domestic form is certainly in Mbappe’s favour and Benzema is only just coming back from an injury.
Furthermore, it looks like Mbappe will be taking France’s penalties, as he has a better penalty record and, well, he demands to take them.
Harry Kane
- Price: $11m
- Fixtures: Iran, USA, Wales
- Picked by: 22%
Kane was the top scorer at the last World Cup, scoring 6 times during England’s run to the semi-finals.
On paper, England’s group is kind, facing Iran, USA, and Wales, so he could notch a few goals early on.
The England captain is enjoying a great season so far, scoring 12 times in all competitions.
Also, he’s England’s penalty taker, scoring 15 for them in his career.
Significantly, Kane is the favourite to win the World Cup golden boot. He ever so slightly edges Mbappe.
Of course, there is more to fantasy football than just pure goalscoring but when someone is the favourite to finish the competition as the top goalscorer that’s hard to ignore.
Also, one of the differences in scoring points between World Cup fantasy and FPL is that forwards get +1 point for every two shots on target.
Lionel Messi
- Price: $10.5m
- Fixtures: Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
- Picked by: 62%
Picking one of, if not the, best player of all time is self-explanatory.
The Argentine has 11 goals in all competitions this campaign, as well as the most assists in the gig 5 European leagues (10).
They’ve been grouped with Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Poland and are one of the favourites to win the tournament.
The Albicelestes are unbeaten in 35 matches and are expected to walk the group stage.
It’s probably Messi’s final chance at the World Cup and he will be looking for a fairytale end to his international career.
It’s not often Messi isn’t involved in an Argentina goal and when you consider he’ll be taking penalties and all free kicks too, we can expect him to be highly picked ahead of MD1.
He is currently the most selected player in the game at 58%.
Neymar
- Price: $10.5m
- Fixtures: Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
- Picked by: 35%
Brazil’s talisman will be hoping to lead the Seleção to a 6th World Cup win.
Neymar has 20 goals and assists this term in just 13 matches. This is the second most in the big 5 European leagues.
Read More: Best Midfielders to Pick in World Cup Fantasy
There’s arguably no player in the world in better form than him.
Brazil have been drawn against Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon, which will all be tough games but Neymar has the quality to make the difference.
He is also the team’s penalty taker, and if he wants them, free kicks too.
Memphis Depay
- Price: $8.5m
- Fixtures: Senegal, Ecuador, Qatar
- Picked by: 5%
Update: Van Gaal has confirmed that Depay won’t start against Senegal in MD1.
Depay is the most experienced and reliable player in attack for the Netherlands.
He was the top scorer for them in the Nations League, with three goals and an assist.
The forward is also on penalties for the Dutch.
Netherlands play Senegal, Ecuador, and the hosts, Qatar, with the latter two nations being the fourth and second-lowest-ranked teams to qualify.
It’s going to be tough to ignore the other premium assets above, but if you do want to spend more money in your defence and midfield, then an $8.5m forward in Depay is a good way to justify it.
Cristiano Ronaldo
- Price: $10m
- Fixtures: Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
- Picked by: 12%
We’d be remiss if we didn’t discuss Ronaldo.
Portugal have been dealt a relatively tough group which is part of the reason he’s only picked by 12% of World Cup fantasy managers.
His low pick percentage is also due to his form, or lack thereof.
Ronaldo’s problems at Man Utd have been well documented and it’s hardly great preparation for what is likely his last chance to win a World Cup.
Read More: Who Are the Highest Scoring Players in FPL History?
However, if anyone can turn that form around in a short space of time, and be inspired by the World Cup, it’s the Portuguese captain.
Despite calls in some quarters to start Andre Silva ahead of him, it would be unthinkable to see Ronaldo starting on the bench. Therefore, we can assume his starting position is secure.
The risk-to-reward ratio looks to be good if you select Cristiano.
Olivier Giroud
- Price: $7.5m
- Fixtures: Australia, Denmark, Tunisia
- Picked by: 1%
As a result of Karim Benzema being ruled out of the 2022 World Cup, Giroud is now a fantastic forward pick.
What’s more is he’s only $7.5m, a massive differential at 1% and could even be on penalties.
A budget enabler elsewhere and massive upside if he hauls – an all-around great fantasy football selection!