The 2022 FIFA world cup is around the corner and excited fantasy football managers are already getting ready for the tournament to begin. In this blog, we deep dive into the eight teams from Group C & D covering the squad list, predicted lineups, and key players to consider from the eight teams individually ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Fantasy matchday 1 deadline. This is the second blog of a four-part group-wise team preview series.
ICYMI–First article from the series covering Group A, Group B Preview- World Cup Fantasy | Group – A & B Preview, Key Players & More
Article written by Aritravo Auddy(@FF_EyeTest), Do follow him on Twitter🙂
Link to all our FIFA World Cup Fantasy blogs in one place including team previews, group previews, tips and rules guide, differentials, chip strategy, best drafts with pros and cons and more. Completely free to access as well!
2022 World Cup Fantasy | Group – C Preview
GROUP C:
ARGENTINA 🇦🇷
- Nickname: La Albiceleste
- Current FIFA Rank: 3
- Manager: Lionel Scaloni
- Formation: 4-3-3/ 4-2-3-1
📸 26-MAN SQUAD LIST:
🎁 Argentina Predicted Starting 11:
Injury update: Lo Celso is ruled out of the World Cup due to an injury.
🔑 KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
⭐ Lionel Messi ($10.5m FWD)
One of the greatest footballers of all time & still going strong at the age of 35, this might just be the last time Messi plays in the World Cup! Who knows, he might play 4 years later as well but he won’t be the same player at that time for sure! You don’t need Messi’s numbers, surely… But since he took a bit of time to settle in at PSG last season there were doubts as to whether he’d be able to regain his top form… Boy he has! 12 goals & 14 assists in club football already this season and being directly involved in atleast a goal in 17 of his last 20 apps for club & country, Messi could wreck havoc in the group stage so it immediately makes him an essential pick!
⭐ Emiliano Martinez ($5.5m GK)
Since moving to Aston Villa in 2019, Martínez never looked back & is now one of the best shot stoppers around! He was instrumental in Argentina’s Copa America success last year and will be looking to back it up with another amazing campaign this time in the biggest stage of all! He kept 6 clean sheets in 10 apps in the WC qualifiers & with Argentina in a relatively straightforward group, expect Emi to keep a clean sheet or two!
⭐ Ángel Di María ($8.5m MID)
The elegant Argentine will play his 4th World Cup this time around & this might be his last! He might not be on top of his game nowadays but since he’s so experienced, I’m sure he’ll show up & display his brilliance in Qatar! He’s been in and out of the starting XI due injuries since moving to Juventus from PSG in the summer but has made an impact in almost every game he has played for the Old Lady! The 34 year-old might be a bit highly priced but you’ll get success if you pick him at the right time because he’ll definitely not draw a blank even if he’s past his prime now!
💎 Lautaro Martínez ($8m FWD) /Julián Álvarez ($6.5m FWD)
Lautaro Martínez was predicted to be the first choice center forward in this World Cup but since Álvarez has been given the number 9 shirt, it could be the other way round. Tbh, Álvarez has always been given the number 9 shirt by Argentina for the past year or so & Lautaro wears 22 so it could mean absolutely nothing. It could also mean that both Álvarez & Lautaro gets to start most of the games and coach Scaloni moving to a different formation to accommodate Di María in the starting XI, so…🤷♂️
Álvarez has been brilliant whenever he’s featured for Man City this season. The 22 year-old has 6 goals & 2 assists in PL, UCL & EFL Cup combined in a total of 878 minutes played! In form and only $6.5m, he could do some serious damage in this year’s World Cup!
It’s not easy when you replace the retired Sergio Agüero as Argentina’s main man up front but the Inter Milan striker, Martínez on the other hand has been banging in goals for fun for the last 3-4 years! He has scored 15+ goals in club football in each of the past three seasons! He played 14 games in qualifying & was directly involved in 10 goals. Again, pretty kindly priced, he could be a great mid-priced forward option in your team!
Further Read: Best Budget Picks And Enablers For FIFA World Cup Fantasy 2022
SAUDI ARABIA 🇸🇦
- Nickname: Green Falcons
- Current FIFA Rank: 51
- Manager: Hervé Renard
- Formation: 4-3-3/4-2-3-1
📸 26-MAN SQUAD LIST:
🎁 Saudi Arabia Predicted Starting XI:
🔑 KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
⭐ Salem Al-Dawsari ($4.5m FWD)
Salem Al-Dawsari is the star man for the Green Falcons! The 31 year-old scored 7 goals in 9 qualifying matches & is the main penalty taker in this Saudi side! The pacey & inventive left winger got one of two goals which Saudi Arabia scored in Russia 4 years back & will look to add to his tally again this time around in Qatar!
⭐ Salman Al-Faraj ($4m MID)
A $4m Mid? Wow! Unheard of, right?
Salman Al-Faraj is the captain of his national team & will be on corners and free kick duties. Another Al-Hilal man, he plays as an attacking midfielder/in center-mid but goes forward at every opportunity! He scored from the penalty spot 4 years ago but isn’t on penalty duties nowadays with Al-Dawsari taking over… He is nevertheless a good differential in MDs 2 & 3 but going for him from the off wouldn’t be a bad idea as the Argentina game is a free hit for them & you can sub him out if he fails to return!
⭐ Saleh Al-Shehri (* FWD)
“Nailed” is the word you want to hear over here! Saleh Al-Shehri scored 7 goals in qualifying & is the second choice penalty taker behind Al-Dawsari. The 29 year-old is playing in his first World Cup so he’ll be keen to make his mark in the grandest stage of all!
💎 Yasir Al-Shahrani ($4m DEF)
Not surprising that we’ve gone for an all Al-Hilal lineup here as they are one of the powerhouses in Asian club football!
Tbh, it’s highly likely that Saudi Arabia get tonked in a couple of games but they’ll try their level best to keep the scoreline down as much as possible no doubt & with Al-Shahrani as the team’s left full back who doesn’t shy away from bombing forward, an odd return or two from the LB is not impossible at all. He started all the 3 games that the Green Falcons played in the World Cup 4 years ago & is another one of the experienced members in this squad! The Al-Hilal man scored 2 goals in the qualifiers & has an excellent understanding with the main man, Al-Dawsari at left flank & since he’s available for only $4m, we are looking at another potential gem!
Further Read: 2022 World Cup Fantasy: Fixture Difficulty Rating (FDR) Overall and Group Wise
MEXICO 🇲🇽
- Nickname: El Tri
- Current FIFA Rank: 13
- Manager: Gerardo Martino
- Formation: 4-3-3
📸 26-MAN SQUAD LIST:
🎁 Mexico Predicted Starting 11:
🔑 KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
⭐ Hirving Lozano ($6m FWD)
With Jesus Corona ruled out of the World Cup, the responsibility falls on Lozano’s shoulders who’s been in pretty good form recently! His numbers actually doesn’t suggest that as he’s only got 4 goals & 3 assists in Serie A & UCL combined this season but he impacts the game very well & will be looking to do the same for Mexico from next week! The 27 year-old burst onto the scene when he scored the winner in that famous 1-0 win against Germany 4 years ago in Russia and since Jimenéz is struggling with fitness, Lozano will be heavily relied on to deliver the goods for El Tri!
⭐ Guillermo Ochoa ($5m GK)
He’s facing a race against time to be fit for Mexico’s opening game against Poland but he should be fit to play from Matchday 2 atleast. Ochoa is one of those players who mostly shows up in the big stage, haha! No offense. He is a very good GK with an excellent record in each of the last two World Cups! He kept 3 clean sheets combined in the last 2 WC’s & recorded 2.5 & 6.3 saves per game respectively in those 2 editions! So, when he plays, save points are incoming… And a clean sheet or two😌
⭐ Raul Jiménez ($6.5m FWD)
Jiménez unfortunately hasn’t been the same since he suffered that horrific head injury in 2020! He’s an experienced campaigner & is the main penalty taker for Mexico when on the pitch. Out of form but has 2 World Cups under his belt despite not being the main starter for Mexico in both those World Cups, it might be time for Jiménez where he finally decides to explode in the grandest stage of all!
💎 Jesús Gallardo ($4.5m DEF)
Nailed at left back & in his second World Cup campaign, Gallardo is another one of those full backs who loves to bomb forward at every opportunity! He already has 7 goals for Monterrey in Liga MX this season, the 28 year-old is another very good differential option!
Further Read: Best 2022 World Cup Fantasy Differentials to Consider for MD1
POLAND 🇵🇱
- Nickname: The White and Red
- Current FIFA Rank: 26
- Manager: Czeslaw Michniewicz
- Formation: 3-5-2 / 4-2-3-1 / 5-3-2
📸 26-MAN SQUAD LIST:
🎁 Poland Predicted Starting 11:
🔑 KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
⭐ Robert Lewandowski ($10m FWD)
“Lewangoalski” just doesn’t stop scoring, does he? The goal scoring machine is 34 now & is still banging in goals for fun! Since moving to Barcelona in the summer from Bayern, he’s already scored 18 goals combined in La Liga & UCL! 9 goals + 4 assists in the WC qualifiers is among the highest among all the players! He had a disappointing World Cup in Russia 4 years ago but he’s another player who’s become better and better with every passing age & will look to open his tally in this year’s World Cup in what could potentially turn out to be his last! He is kindly priced & as Poland face Argentina in MD3, they could look at the Mexico & Saudi Arabia fixtures as must win so Lewa could have an explosive opening couple of MDs!
⭐ Piotr Zielinski ($6.5m MID)
Napoli is one of the best teams’ in club football right now & the Polish international, Zielinski is a vital member of Spaletti’s side! Zielinski is an all action box to box midfielder who can play as an attacking midfielder or even as a second striker. He takes set pieces as well which boosts his appeal as a fantasy asset! Another Polish player who is kindly priced, he’ll have a big role to play in this tournament & will be the main man to supply & assist Lewandowski!
⭐ Matty Cash ($4m DEF)
Since changing his nationality to Poland last year, Matty Cash has made the right back position his own! The marauding Aston Villa right back could prove to be very good differential in the games against Saudi Arabia & Mexico in the first two matchdays! Only $4m, so very good for 4th/5th defender slots and you don’t have to worry about blanks since you can sub him out in that case!
💎 Karol Swiderski ($5.5m FWD)
This guy is a proper gem of a striker & suits in the “GEM” category! Swiderski is like a super-sub in this Polish national team. Due to him being so effective from the bench, Poland’s previous manager, Paulo Sousa gave him quite a few starts after being very impressed but since Michniewicz took over, Swiderski has only started once in 8 games & has been played the 30 minute cameo role again. He has started & scored in Poland’s last game so it’ll be interesting to see if Michniewicz starts him alongside Lewandowski with Zielinski just in-behind the front two! 14 goal contributions for Charlotte FC in the MLS season just gone by, the 25 year-old is definitely one to watch out for!
2022 World Cup Fantasy | Group – D Preview
FRANCE 🇫🇷
- Nickname: Les Blues
- Current FIFA Rank: 4
- Manager: Didier Deschamps
- Formation: 3-4-1-2 / 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3
📸 26-MAN SQUAD LIST:
🎁 France Predicted Starting 11:
Injury Update- Benzema is ruled out of the World Cup due to an injury. Giroud is expected to start there.
🔑 KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
⭐ Kylian Mbappé ($11.5m FWD)
He is the most expensive player in the game for a reason! The 23 year-old Frenchman who has already won a World Cup at the age of 19 where he played a starring role for his country… 19 goals & 5 assists already for club & country this season & in top top form going into the World Cup, what else can you say about this man? He is a goal machine & will again be vital for France in their bid to defend the World Cup crown & be the first team to do so since Brazil in 1962! He’ll definitely try to bounce back after an abysmal 2021 Euro campaign & lead France’s title charge in Qatar!
⭐ Karim Benzema ($11m FWD)
The 34 year-old Frenchman seems to have gotten better with every passing age! He’s had an outstanding last couple of years & fully deserved the Ballon D’or award after he guided Real Madrid to their 35th La Liga & 14th Champions League titles respectively last season! At the peak of his powers he was unstoppable in most of the games as he was absolutely lethal in front of goal. Even in a disappointing campaign for France in last year’s Euros, he still managed to score 4 goals and then helped them win the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League!
But he has been struggling with injuries this season and has already missed half of Real Madrid’s games. 0 UCL goals in the group stage shows that he’s not up to full speed so it’ll be interesting to see whether he fires in all cylinders come the World Cup!
⭐ Antoine Griezmann ($8.5m FWD)
Griezmann isn’t nailed anymore for Atletico Madrid but will again play a vital role for France at the big stage!
He takes set pieces, etc which boosts his appeal as a fantasy asset & with people focusing more on who to pick between Mbappé & Benzema, Griezmann will no doubt remain a very good differential option! He scored 6 goals in the WC qualifiers and was France’s top scorer in the 2016 Euros & 2018 World Cup so he definitely knows a thing or two about how to smash it at the big stage!
💎 Theo Hernandez (* DEF) /Benjamin Pavard ($5m DEF)
All eyes will be on Deschamps as to which formation he picks come their Game 1 against Australia! If he goes with a back 3 which includes Lucas Hernandez(Theo’s brother) then Theo H should start at LWB. If Lucas doesn’t start at CB then either of them could start at LB/LWB so there’s an uncertainty as to which brother will start in that flank!
On the other side, Deschamps surprisingly didn’t pick a second choice RB/RWB to deputise Pavard, so I feel Pavard’s place is more secure than Theo’s! Koundé can play there but he isn’t that good at that role so I guess Deschamps trusts Pavard a lot. It’s crazy that Pavard’s famous World Cup quarter final goal against Argentina in a 4-3 thriller was more than 4 years ago now! Time flies🤯
Further Read: Best 2022 FIFA World Cup Fantasy MD1 Drafts With Pros/Cons
AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺
- Nickname: Socceroos
- Current FIFA Rank: 38
- Manager: Graham Arnold
- Formation: 4-1-4-1 / 4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1
📸 26-MAN SQUAD LIST:
🎁 Australia Predicted Starting 11:
🔑 KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
⭐ Aaron Mooy ($5m MID) /Ajdin Hrustic ($5m MID) /Jackson Irvine ($4.5m MID)
Mooy – Irvine – Hrustic is expected to be the 3 man midfield for Graham Arnold’s side in this World Cup & there’s a lot of creativity in them. Australia have been blessed with a lot of quality midfielders over the years so don’t underestimate the potential that these current bunch of mids have in them!
Mooy has been used sparingly at Celtic this season but he’s provided 3 assists in 12 apps(4 starts). He scored a couple of goals too in the WC qualifiers. He’s nailed & will get “Ball recovery” points so all round a good asset to own. Similarly, Jackson Irvine & Ajdin Hrustic can chip in with an odd return every now and then & they should all earn “Ball recovery” points as you’d expect Australia to be on the back foot most of the time against the likes of France & Denmark!
⭐ Martin Boyle ($4.5m FWD)
There’s some issues around Boyle’s availability for this World Cup due to injury but some reports are suggesting that he should be fit on time to face the defending World Champions, France on the 22nd of November. He is a vital cog in this Socceroos team. He’s been brilliant for Hibernian for the last 3-4 years, picking up atleast 10 attacking returns in the Scottish Premiership every season! Just keep in mind that he could be forced back from the right wing which might make him do more defensive work than influencing play in the final third!
⭐ Jamie Maclaren ($4.5m FWD)
The Socceroos Boss, Graham Arnold has some headaches on who to start up front out of Maclaren, Duke & Cummings! That’s a good headache to have for the coaching staff but certainly not good for us fantasy managers as we simply don’t know who he’d prefer to play up front. Maybe a wait & watch as Australia face a tough task against France in MD1 but you can pick him up in MD2 if he’s preferred as first choice by Arnold. Maclaren is in hot goalscoring form atm. 7 goals in 5 apps already for Melbourne City this season. He’s scored 23, 25 & 16 goals respectively in each of the last 3 seasons in A-League which shows that he has a real goal threat. 7 goals in the WC 2022 qualifiers too plus if he starts, he might be the designated penalty taker so keep him on your watchlist for now!
💎 Harry Souttar ($4m DEF) /Aziz Behich ($4.5m DEF)
Harry Souttar was out for nearly a year following his ACL injury which he picked up on international duty last year but he’s back in time & looks set to start at the back. The 24 year-old is some talent and was heavily linked with a PL move before he got injured. He scored 6 goals in the WC qualifiers so we know that he is dangerous from set pieces. The Aussies might not create much from open play so they’ll bank on good set piece deliveries & Souttar is the man Australia will look to, to head home from set pieces!
Aziz Behich on the other hand is a very experienced campaigner! This is his second World Cup & he’s fully nailed at left back! Signed by Dundee United from Girusenspor in the summer, he’s scored 2 goals in the Scottish Premiership so far this season & bombs forward a lot. Another very decent differential here!
Further Read: 2022 FIFA World Cup- Penalty & Set Piece Takers Country Wise
DENMARK 🇩🇰
- Nickname: De Rod-Hvide (The Red & Whites)
- Current FIFA Rank: 10
- Manager: Kasper Hjulmand
- Formation: 3-4-2-1 / 4-3-3
📸 26-MAN SQUAD LIST:
🎁Denmark Predicted Starting 11:
🔑 KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
⭐ Christian Eriksen ($8m MID)
The talisman is at the heart of everything which Denmark does & will be instrumental in Denmark’s progress in this year’s World Cup! One of my two/three “Dark Horses” in this major tournament, Denmark have a chance to back up last year’s Euro semi-final run with another memorable journey this time around!
Eriksen has been playing in a deep role in Man Utd hence he’s not been providing much attacking returns for the club but he mostly plays in an advanced free role in midfield for his country and he’s more effective in this position!
After the shocking incident in the Euros last year, he’s fully recovered now and he’ll be definitely up for it in the biggest stage of all!
⭐ Joakim Mæhle ($4.5m DEF)
The Atalanta man was instrumental in Denmark’s amazing run at last year’s European Championship! He scored 2 goals and provided a couple of assists in 6 apps in that tournament and missed a couple of big chances as well! He is a very attack-minded left wing back and always bombs forward with purpose. The heatmaps will say that he is a winger😜 He also scored 5 goals in the WC qualifiers & I feel he is one of the best $4.5m assets in the game!
⭐ Kasper Schmeichel (* GK)
Like his dad, Peter… Kasper has also gone on to become a Denmark legend! He is another one of those massive players’ who could potentially be playing their last World Cup! Nothing much to say here, all I’ll say is Denmark are a fairly solid defensive unit & Kasper Schmeichel was make saves so he is a very good fantasy asset if you don’t have space to include Mæhle in your team!
💎 Andreas Skov Olsen ($6m MID)
Andreas Skov Olsen has been in brilliant form so far this season, already scoring 9 goals & providing 3 assists for club & country! 8 & 3 attacking returns in the WC qualifiers & Nations League respectively shows he is in fine form & if you are short of funds and want a Denmark midfielder, Skov Olsen is a potential gem at only $6m! He has forced his way into the Denmark starting XI in the last year or so after finding it hard to get much game time at last year’s Euros!
Further Read: Best Midfielders To Target In World Cup Fantasy | Price Point Wise
TUNISIA 🇹🇳
- Nickname: Eagles of Carthage
- Current FIFA Rank: 30
- Manager: Jalel Kadri
- Formation: 4-3-3
📸 26-MAN SQUAD LIST:
🎁 Tunisia Predicted Starting 11:
🔑 KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
⭐ Wahbi Khazri ($4.5m MID)
“Listed as a $4.5m mid but takes all the set pieces in their side & is the main man for their country”! Oooo, who is it? It’s the former Sunderland man, Wahbi Khazri. He personally had a brilliant World Cup in Russia 4 years ago where he was directly involved in 4 of Tunisia’s 5 goals. He has found starts hard to come by this season at Montpellier but he struck 10 goals last term for a relegated Saint-Etienne side! The former Sunderland man can trouble any opponent from open play or set pieces so watch out for him as he could turn out to be a very good fantasy asset!
⭐ Youssef Msakni ($4.5m FWD)
Msakni is another one of those veterans in this Tunisian side who will be vital to produce the goods if Tunisia want to qualify for the knockout stages! The 32 year-old Al-Arabi left winger/forward has a point to prove after unfortunately missing out on World Cup 4 years ago due to injury! He has been directly involved in 9 goals in his last 13 apps for club and is in fine form heading into this year’s World Cup!
💎 Mohamed Dräger ($4m DEF)
The 26 year-old right Tunisian is on loan from Nottingham Forest at a Swiss club named FC Luzern. He is a very attack-minded right back and the numbers back it up! He struck 3 goals and provided 7 assists in 17 apps in the Swiss Super League last season & has already scored 3 goals so far this season. Very cheap & has a high G/A potential, the Tunisian right back is one of the best $4m assets in the game!
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Further Reads from AAFPL ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Fantasy Season?
Basics of World Cup Fantasy:
Beginner’s Guide to 2022 World Cup Fantasy: Rules, Strategy, Tips
List of Good & Creative 2022 World Cup Fantasy Team Names
World Cup Fantasy 2022 Comparison to FPL, UCL & Euro Fantasy
List of Free to Join World Cup Fantasy Mini Leagues | Mini League
2022 World Cup Fantasy Ultimate Guide: Tips, Best drafts, Strategy
World Cup 2022: Expected Goals (xG) Group Wise for All Teams
World Cup Fantasy: Captaincy Explained & Best Options for MD1
Must Read Articles for World Cup Fantasy:
Best Budget Picks And Enablers For FIFA World Cup Fantasy 2022
World Cup Fantasy- Scout Picks Matchday 1
2022 World Cup Fantasy Matchday 1 Draft & Chip Strategy
2022 FIFA World Cup- Penalty & Set Piece Takers Country Wise
Best 2022 FIFA World Cup Fantasy MD1 Drafts With Pros/Cons
2022 World Cup Fantasy: Predicted Lineups of All 32 Teams
Best 2022 World Cup Fantasy Differentials to Consider for MD1
2022 World Cup Fantasy: Fixture Difficulty Rating (FDR) Overall and Group Wise
Position Wise Analysis:
Best Goalkeepers To Target In World Cup Fantasy | Price Point Wise
Best Defenders to Target in World Cup Fantasy | Price Point Wise
Best Midfielders To Target In World Cup Fantasy | Price Point Wise
Best Forwards to Target in World Cup Fantasy | Price Point Wise
Group Wise Team Previews- Best Fantasy Assets & Predicted Lineups:
World Cup Fantasy | Group – A & B Preview, Key Players & More
World Cup Fantasy | Group – C & D Preview, Key Players & More
World Cup Fantasy | Group – E & F Preview, Key Players & More
World Cup Fantasy | Group – G & H Preview, Key Players & More
Link to all our FIFA World Cup Fantasy blogs in one place including team previews, group previews, tips and rules guide, differentials, chip strategy, best drafts with pros and cons and more. Completely free to access as well!
What’s next from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Fantasy Season?
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