The official FIFA World Cup fantasy game is live, giving fans a new way to follow the road to 2026. Backed by Aramco, the format lets users assemble a 15-player roster and compete across global, confederational, and national leaderboards.
What Managers Need to Know
The game is built around careful squad planning, fixed prices, and limited player exposure from each nation. That makes every selection matter from the opening match onward.
- Squad size: 15 players total, split into 2 goalkeepers, 5 defenders, 5 midfielders, and 3 forwards.
- Starting budget: $100 million, with an extra $5 million added once the knockout rounds begin.
- Price movement: Player values stay fixed, so there is no market fluctuation during the tournament.
- Country limits: Early rounds cap selections from one nation at three players.
- Transfers: Unlimited changes are available before the opening match and again before the Round of 32.
In-match control
During live matchdays, managers can use bench changes and switch captains to chase extra points. Five boosters are also available across the competition: Wildcard, 12th Man, Maximum Captain, Qualification Booster, and a Mystery Booster that will be revealed before the Round of 32.
How the Scoring Works
Fantasy points reflect real match performance, so production on the field has a direct impact on your total.
- Minutes played
- Goals scored and conceded
- Assists
- Cards and own goals
- Penalties won or conceded
- Tackles, chances created, and shots on target
There are also extra rewards for direct free-kick goals. A scouting bonus goes to any player owned by fewer than 5% of managers who scores more than four points in a match.
Big Names, Big Prices
The hardest part of team building is squeezing the best talent into a tight budget. The highest-priced forwards sit at $10.5 million each, with Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé setting the pace. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are just behind them at $10 million.
| Position | Top example | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Defender | Nuno Mendes | $5.8 million |
| Goalkeeper | Ederson / Alisson Becker / David Raya / Unai Simón | Premium tier |
| Forward | Haaland / Kane / Mbappé | $10.5 million |
The pricing model closely follows the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking, and that is reflected in the market. Among the 25 most expensive players, 20 come from the top six nations, while England and France each have five high-end options.
Historical note: Mbappé won the adidas Golden Boot at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. The award began as the Golden Shoe in 1982 and adopted its current name in 2010, recognizing the tournament’s top scorer.
Value Outside Europe
The Confederation Challenge Leaderboard adds another layer by measuring how different regions perform based on user picks. That makes strong non-European selections especially important.
- Africa: Mohamed Salah at $10 million and Omar Marmoush at $7.8 million lead the region.
- Asia: Son Heung-min at $7.4 million and Salem Al Dawsari at $7.2 million are the standout options.
- North America: Jonathan David, Raúl Jiménez, and Christian Pulisic are all priced at $7 million.
- Oceania: Chris Wood is the leading New Zealand option at $6.5 million.
With a larger field and a wider spread of talent, the fantasy game asks managers to balance elite stars with smart regional value. That mix is likely to shape lineups from the first whistle to the final knockout-stage run.