24. Juni 2026

World Cup Fantasy Picks – Round 3

The first two rounds of the World Cup have flown by as the final round of the group stage has arrived, and our Sofascore Fantasy managers face a completely different challenge compared to the opening two rounds. While early fixtures were all about finding the strongest teams and safest assets, Round 3 is where squad depth, motivation and rotation become just as important as individual quality.

With some nations already securing qualification and others fighting for survival, predicting lineups becomes a key part of the game. Some of the biggest stars could see their minutes managed, while players from teams needing a result may become attractive differential options with everything on the line. Every point matters, so let’s take a look at the players who could make the biggest impact in this decisive group stage round.

Formation: 4-4-2

Yassine Bounou (Morocco vs Haiti) – €5.5m

Morocco’s experienced and almost legendary goalkeeper Yassine Bounou enters Round 3 as one of the safest defensive options available, with a favourable matchup against Haiti. The Al Hilal shot-stopper has built a reputation as one of the most reliable men between the posts in world football, and his consistency when it comes to playing for Morocco makes him an appealing Fantasy option when a clean sheet is on the cards.

The main attraction with Bounou is Morocco’s defensive reliability. The Atlas Lions have developed into one of the most organised defensive teams in international football, and with Haiti struggling to find attacking output in the group stage, this fixture provides strong clean sheet potential. Beyond the clean sheet points, Bounou’s shot-stopping ability gives him extra upside, as saves could become valuable if Haiti manages to create opportunities, which is very unlikely, as Morocco has been phenomenal.

Denzel Dumfries (Tunisia vs Netherlands) – €6.5m

Denzel Dumfries is one of the standout defensive options heading into Round 3, with the Netherlands facing Tunisia in their final group-stage fixture. The attacking full-back has already shown why he is such an attractive Fantasy asset, combining defensive contributions with a constant threat going forward. The Netherlands had a mixed start to the tournament, opening with a 2-2 draw against Japan before responding in impressive fashion with a dominant 5-1 victory over Sweden. Dumfries was heavily involved in that attacking performance, providing two assists and proving once again that his advanced positioning can deliver significant Fantasy returns.

The matchup against Tunisia provides another opportunity for Dumfries to contribute at both ends of the pitch. The Dutch defender’s attacking runs, crossing ability, and involvement in the final third make him much more than a clean-sheet option, while Tunisia’s struggles in their opening matches increase the appeal of the Netherlands defensive assets.

Odilon Kossounou (Curaçao vs Côte d’Ivoire) – €5.0m

While Odilon Kossounou might seem like quite a random fantasy pick, the logic behind this move has quite a lot to do with how the Ivory Coast has played and who the Ivory Coast is playing in Round 3. The centre-back has been a regular starter in the heart of the defence, combining physical presence with strong anticipation in a back line that has generally looked solid across the group stage. If it weren’t for a lack of concentration in the final 20 minutes in their Round 2 class against favourites Germany, the Ivory Coast would have sealed qualification for the Round of 32 as they looked extremely solid for a great chunk of the match.

Against Curacao, the Ivory Coast are expected to take a more proactive approach, as they basically need a point to go through, even though we all know they will go for all three. The Blue Wave has very little to offer in attack, so it should be smooth sailing for Kossounou.

Achraf Hakimi (Morocco vs Haiti) – €8.0m

Morocco’s captain and arguably the best right-back in the world is a no-brainer. Achraf Hakimi has continued to play a key role for the Atlas Lions, often functioning almost as a wide forward in possession, which makes him one of the highest-upside defenders in the game. Against Brazil and Scotland, he was seen roaming through almost all available positions, moving forward, basically playing alongside Saibari or next to Brahim Díaz.

With Morocco still pushing for a strong group-stage finish, Hakimi offers one of the highest ceilings among defenders in Round 3. Even without guaranteed attacking returns, his role, minutes security, and attacking freedom make him a premium Fantasy pick with the potential to deliver a decisive haul. A big win against Haiti could have Morocco topping the group.

Maxim De Cuyper (New Zealand vs Belgium) – €5.0m

Belgium are a frustrating team to watch, let alone to be a part of… or to support… Their first two rounds have been disappointing to say the least, two points won against Egypt, and Iran is far from how they hoped to open this World Cup. While there are no excuses for Belgium’s slow start, Iran and Egypt are both much better opponents than New Zealand, and especially considering how poorly they started, if Belgium are going to have a good game, it’s going to be against the so-called All Whites.

New Zealand presents a different kind of opponent: less threatening in possession and more likely to sit deep for extended spells. That usually pushes Belgium’s full-backs even higher, and it is exactly the type of structure where De Cuyper’s value becomes more obvious, not through guaranteed returns, but through accumulation. Crosses, final-third touches, and potential assist chains if Belgium (Lukaku) finally sharpen their finishing.

Enzo Fernández (Jordan vs Argentina) – €8.0m

Enzo Fernández heads into Round 3 as one of the key rhythm-setters in Argentina’s midfield, with the reigning champions already in a strong position after back-to-back wins against Algeria (3-0) and Austria (2-0). Across both matches, Argentina have looked increasingly stable without needing to overextend themselves, and Enzo’s role has been central in keeping control rather than chasing chaos.

The matchup with Jordan changes the dynamic slightly, as Argentina are expected to dominate possession for long stretches. That usually pushes Enzo further into advanced zones, where his late runs and ability to arrive on the edge of the box become more relevant. Jordan have shown resilience in spells this tournament, but they have struggled to contain structured midfields when pinned deep for long periods, and with nothing to play for as they are already knocked out, Enzo will have more freedom to portray some of his attacking threat from the past World Cup in Qatar.

Jude Bellingham (Panama vs England) – €8.5m

After a phenomenal opening match against Croatia, both England and Jude Bellingham had a disappointing Round 2 as Ghana managed to snatch a point from them. Despite being dominant in all segments of the game, the Three Lions just couldn’t break the Ghanaian defense and squeeze one past them in order to open the floodgates. Jude Bellingham enters Round 3 as one of England’s most attractive Fantasy options, with Tuchel forced to set out their strongest XI as England only have 4 points and need to seal top stop against Panama.

Against a side likely to defend in a deeper block, England will need players capable of finding space between the lines and breaking down organised resistance. That is exactly where Bellingham excels, and he’ll definitely be roaming across all areas of the pitch, helping out his team.

Kang-in Lee (South Africa vs South Korea) – €6.1m

Kang-in Lee arrives in Round 3 as South Korea’s main creative reference point, with a decisive group-stage clash against South Africa carrying clear qualification stakes in Group A. The PSG midfielder has already shown flashes of his influence across the opening two matches, even in South Korea’s second match against Mexico, where their attack fluctuated.

However, South Africa is by far the weakest team in Group A, and with South Korea needing at least a point to go through, they’ll be heavily relying on Lee, already having an assist and POTM performance at this World Cup, leading their comeback opener against Czechia with an 8.2 Sofascore Rating.

Yan Diomande (Curaçao vs Côte d’Ivoire) – €8.0m

Our second Ivory Coast player comes in the form of the world’s most exciting wingers. The 19-year-old winger has already established himself in the Bundesliga as a constant outlet in transition, using his pace and directness to stretch defences and create separation in wide areas. There is no doubt about it, his creativity and dribbling are both elite, and he’s a world-class player. Diomande has already accumulated two big chances created, seven key passes, and eight successful dribbles in the Ivory Coast’s first two matches against Germany and Ecuador, both fitting into the “best of the best” level category of national teams. What will he do against the Blue Wave?

When attacks start going through his flank, it won’t just be a blue wave for Curaçao, it’ll be a tsunami. Defending him 1v1 won’t work, Dick Advocaat will probably have at least half the team man-marking Diomande.

Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal vs Iraq) – €5.0m

Ismaïla Sarr goes into Round 3 as Senegal’s most decisive attacking threat, with a crucial group-stage clash against Iraq offering one final chance to push for qualification momentum. The Crystal Palace winger has already underlined his importance in this tournament, delivering both goals in a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Norway, where he repeatedly kept Senegal alive in a match that otherwise slipped away in key moments.

The fixture against Iraq is a must-win scenario, with Senegal needing a strong result to keep qualification hopes alive, as one of the best-ranked third-placed teams. Iraq’s defense has struggled to contain Norway and France, so Sarr’s Senegal should be massive favourites to get a few goals past them yet again.