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 E & F 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 third blog of a four-part group-wise team preview series.
ICYMI–First two articles from the series covering Group A, Group B & Group C, Group D Preview- World Cup Fantasy | Group – A & B Preview, Key Players & More & World Cup Fantasy | Group – C & D 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 – E Preview
GROUP E:
GERMANY 🇩🇪
- Nickname: Die Mannschaft
- Current FIFA Rank: 11
- Manager: Hans-Dieter Flick
- Formation: 4-2-3-1 / 3-4-2-1
📸 26-MAN SQUAD LIST:
🎁 PREDICTED STARTING XI:
🔑 KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
⭐ Joshua Kimmich ($7m MID) / Ílkay Gündogan ($7.5m MID)
These two are expected to be the CDM pairing for Germany at this World Cup! Both very experienced & with them having so many different routes to points, it makes them one of the best mid-priced midfielders in the game! Kimmich averages almost 100 touches per game in the Bundesliga & UCL combined this season & has 2 goals + 6 assists in his bag overall! Germany have quite a few mids in their ranks but are a bit short of options in right back & Kimmich is a very good right back himself having played at that position in each of the last three major tournaments so he’s a solid all-round fantasy option. Surprise surprise, he’s also on free kicks & corners as well…
Gündogan is the main penalty taker for the Die Mannschaft & will look to orchestrate the play in midfield along with Kimmich. He drives forward at every opportunity & looks to get on the end of things quite often. Kimmich/Gündo: It’s your choice!
⭐ Leroy Sané ($9m MID) / Thomas Müller ($9.5m FWD)
Sané is the only nailed player in the attacking positions for Hansi Flick’s side! Can play on either wing, the 26 year-old Bayern winger scored 4 goals & provided 2 assists in 9 qualifying apps! He’s already scored 9 goals in club football this season & is in fine form going into the World Cup!
Another player who doesn’t need any introduction… Thomas Müller is a legend of the game & will be playing in his 4th World Cup in Qatar! The veteran attacking midfielder/forward has 10 World Cup goals to his name, which puts him at joint 8th in the all-time list! He has accumulated 60 assists in the Bundesliga since the 2019/20 season! He might not be a guaranteed starter at CAM with Musiala(who’s also in top form) waiting in the wings, but he will have a big role to play in Germany’s bid for 5th World Cup success & since he can play in all the attacking positions, no doubt he’ll get a lot of game time!
⭐ David Raum ($4.5m DEF) / Christian Günter ($5m DEF)
Wow, can’t believe that we could have a $4.5m defender starting for Germany at the World Cup! Both are extremely attack-minded left full-backs & have very high assist potential! Both Raum & Günter have been in very good form for more than a year now in club football & Flick will have a good headache as to who would be his first choice so both could share minutes which actually isn’t ideal for us, fantasy managers but either one could turn out to be a great option so certainly a wait & watch for now!
💎 Jamal Musiala ($8m MID) / Serge Gnabry ($9m FWD)
At only 19, Musiala is a rising star who is enjoying his breakthrough season! He has incredible confidence in his footballing abilities on the pitch that he has impressed his coaches over the past year or so! So much so that he has broken into the starting XI and features regularly for club & country these days… He’s already scored 11 goals & provided 8 assists in club football this season & the Qatar World Cup couldn’t have come at a better time for him! He should start in the attacking midfield role but don’t be surprised if he gets benched the odd game as Flick has a lot of options at his disposal in the attacking areas.
Gnabry is not expected to lead the line but will definitely feature heavily on either wings atleast from the bench. He is not nailed but could start a game or two & he has been in sensational form for Bayern! He has scored atleast 10 league goals in every season he’s played for the Bavarians & already has 8 league goals this campaign! The pacey, tricky winger is an explosive fantasy asset & will look to make his mark in this World Cup after failing to make the cut 4 years ago in Russia!
SPAIN 🇪🇸
- Nickname: La Roja
- Current FIFA Rank: 7
- Manager: Luis Enrique
- Formation: 4-3-3
📸 26-MAN SQUAD LIST:
🎁 PREDICTED STARTING XI:
Injury update- Gaya is ruled out of World Cup due to injury and Alba will start at LB
🔑 KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
⭐ Álvaro Morata ($8m FWD)
Morata will be the central figure to Spain’s source for goals as he has to carry the responsibility to lead the line! In a tricky group, Spain could afford no slip ups and their patience will be tested in the opening game when they face Costa Rica who are expected to park the bus! Having scored 3 goals in each of the last 2 Euro campaigns, the 30 year-old Atlético striker will be eager to make his mark in his first World Cup!
⭐ Pedri ($8.5m MID)
Spain have been blessed with world-class talent in midfield over the years & boy they have another one here in Pedri! Vision, eye for the pass, technique, skill, ability on the ball, temperament – Pedri has it all that it takes to be one of the best midfielders in the world. It’s scary that he’s only 19 & has already played in a Euro where he guided Spain to the semi-finals & is going to feature in the World Cup being one of La Roja’s most important players. He has an eye for goal, on some set piece duties + should get a lot of “Ball recovery” points so all round a pretty good fantasy asset!
⭐ Dani Carvajal ($6m DEF)
The Real Madrid right back has abundance of experience under his belt! The 30 year-old has won it all with Real Madrid & will be looking to guide Spain to their second World Cup title in 12 years! He has missed quite a lot of games for club in the last couple of seasons due to injury or being rested, but he played a key role in the UCL final last season where he guided Real Madrid to their 14th Champions League title & since he has got a string of starts this season, he is expected to be the first choice right back for Luis Enrique’s side in this World Cup! Carvajal is definitely back to his best.
💎 Ferran Torres ($7m FWD)
FC Barcelona’s Ferran Torres is expected to start in either wing & he is another one of those youngsters’ who’s looking to make his mark in the grandest stage of all! At only 22, he already has 30 national team apps under his belt & he has scored 13 goals already! 2 goals in last year’s Euros & a million cheaper than Morata, he could be your man!
JAPAN 🇯🇵
- Nickname: Samurai Blue
- Current FIFA Rank: 24
- Manager: Hajime Moriyasu
- Formation: 4-3-3 / 4-1-4-1
📸 26-MAN SQUAD LIST:
🎁 PREDICTED STARTING XI:
🔑 KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
⭐ Daichi Kamada ($5.5m MID)
With seven goals to his name so far this season in the Bundesliga, the Eintracht Frankfurt star is currently the joint third-highest scorer in the German League ahead of big names such as Sadio Mané and Timo Werner. He’s scored 12 goals in 21 apps in club football this season and there is a chance that he could play in the “False 9” role so another *OOP Alert*📢 here! Just note that he hasn’t been a regular starter for Moriyasu’s side but with Kamada being in top form expect the coach to start him in every game!
⭐ Takumi Minamino ($7m MID)
Monaco signed Minamino for around 18 million euros from Liverpool in the summer and the Japanese international has found starts hard to come by in Ligue 1 as well. 1 goal & 3 assists in 11 apps(5 starts) in the French league + only 37 mins played per game shows he’s not been playing much in the league recently. But for his national side, he scored 10 goals in 9 qualifying apps which shows he is fairly nailed there! Tbf, the WC qualification was over 8 months back so it’ll be interesting to see whether he starts in this WC or not. Japan don’t have any problems in the final third though, they have loads of options so don’t be surprised if one of the big names drop out in any game!
⭐ Junya Ito ($6m FWD)
Signed by Reims this season from Genk & available for $6m, Junya Ito is a cheap, nailed fantasy asset. Ito has scored 4 goals for Reims so far this season and has 1 assist to his name. He is second for big chances created among his Reims teammates which shows that he has high assist potential as well. All round a good fantasy asset & certainly one to watch!
💎 Kaoru Mitoma ($4.5m FWD)
The 25-year-old has been in very good form this season. His G/A isn’t that high but he has been terrific for Brighton especially under De Zerbi who has given him quite a few PL starts recently! There are a lot of options in the Japanese attack so not sure whether he’ll start or not but if he does, he is definitely one to consider at only $4.5m.
COSTA RICA 🇨🇷
- Nickname: Los Ticos
- Current FIFA Rank: 31
- Manager: Luis Fernando Suárez Guzman
- Formation: 4-3-3 / 4-4-2 / 5-4-1
📸 26-MAN SQUAD LIST:
🎁 PREDICTED STARTING XI:
🔑 KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
Costa Rica’s Legend already! 2014 World Cup Hero. That was the World Cup where he made a name for himself! Everyone who watched that World Cup loves Navas🤩
He was instrumental in Costa Rica’s progress into the Quarters which they lost to the Netherlands on penalties. Not only that, what was more impressive in their run was that they finished top of their group which was called the group of death(Italy, Uruguay & England were in that group with them). The concerning part for Navas has been his starts for PSG this season! He hasn’t been given a single start so far this season so it’ll be interesting to see whether he’ll be in top shape come the World Cup or not… He is 35 now & this might be his last World Cup so I’m sure he’ll give his all no matter what!
⭐ Joel Campbell ($6m FWD) / Antony Contreras ($5m FWD)
The former Arsenal man now plies his trade in Mexico for Club León. He’s only scored one goal & provided 3 assists in Liga MX this season but still will have the burden to find the back of the net if they want to venture deep into the tournament because of him being the senior man out of the front line they’ve chosen.
On the other hand, Anthony Contreras is an interesting pick. He isn’t nailed but if the manager goes with 2 up front then he’ll definitely start so it will be interesting to see what Luis Fernando Suárez does! He is a million cheaper than the former Arsenal man so is definitely one to watch!
⭐ Bryan Oviedo ($4.5m DEF)
If you don’t fancy Keylor Navas then Bryan Oviedo is your man! The former Everton man is on set-piece duties & is a pretty attack-minded fullback. He is a reasonable punt if you want cash somewhere else!
💎 Celso Borges ($4.5m MID)
Into his third World Cup, the 34-year-old, LD Alajuelense man, Borges brings bundles of experience into play! He’ll rack up the “Ball recovery” points no doubt will be instrumental in the Los Ticos WC progress in Qatar! He is the backup penalty taker so could potentially turn out to be a gem of a budget option!
2022 World Cup Fantasy | Group – F Preview
BELGIUM 🇧🇪
- Nickname: The Red Devils
- Current FIFA Rank: 2
- Manager: Roberto Martínez
- Formation: 3-4-3 / 3-4-2-1
📸 26-MAN SQUAD LIST:
🎁 PREDICTED STARTING XI:
Note: Lukaku is a major injury doubt for Matchday 1
🔑 KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
⭐ Kevin De Bruyne ($11m MID)
Time is running out for “Belgium’s golden era team” in their quest to win a major trophy! Will this finally be their year? The Man City attacking midfielder is the main man for Belgium & is one of the best premium options in the game! In a relatively straightforward group, De Bruyne could have an explosive group stage! Arriving in this World Cup in great shape having failed to do so in the last year’s Euros where Belgium looked a bit lost against Italy in the Quarter-finals, the 31 year-old brilliant Belgian will have plenty of freedom to do his thing & the rest of the squad will be hoping that he can inspire them to become one of the teams of the tournament!
⭐ Eden Hazard ($8m MID) / Leandro Trossard ($5.5m MID)
Hazard has seen a sad decline to his career since moving to Real Madrid from Chelsea back in 2019! He has been struggling with injuries & finding his blistering form which made him one of the deadliest left wingers in world football during his time at Chelsea hasn’t been easy for him of late! He has played very little for Real Madrid this season but since he’s very experienced & already in his third World Cup there is no better time for him to show the world that he is not finished yet!
Despite being the captain of the side, Eden Hazard might not be nailed for the Red Devils since he has been struggling with injuries & that could mean Trossard gets his opportunity to shine at the big stage. The Brighton man has gone from strength to strength in the past couple of seasons & already has scored 5 goals for his national team! 7 goals & 2 assists already in the PL so far this season, he could turn out to be a cracking fantasy asset at only $5.5m!
⭐ Youri Tielemans ($7m MID)
The 25 year-old Leicester midfielder has the reputation of scoring absolute bangers & no doubt Belgium will be hoping for a goal or two from him in Qatar this winter!
He’s scored 3 PL goals this season & has 5 goals in 54 international apps to his name but those numbers aren’t the only reason why he’s here! He could take some pieces & will collect a lot of “Ball Recovery” points so an attacking return from him is always an added bonus!
💎 Timothy Castagne ($5.5m DEF)
After the disappointment of withdrawing from the European Championship last year due to the injury he suffered in their opening game of the campaign against Russia, the Leicester wing-back will be looking to make his mark in the World Cup this time around! The 26-year-old Leicester man has kept 6 clean sheets in the last 8 PL games & is in fine form heading into the World Cup! He has the advantage of being comfortable playing in either flank so expect him to be Martínez’s first choice wing back!
CROATIA 🇭🇷
- Nickname: The Vatreni (The Blazers)
- Current FIFA Rank: 12
- Manager: Zlatko Dalic
- Formation: 4-3-3
📸 26-MAN SQUAD LIST:
🎁 PREDICTED STARTING XI:
🔑 KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
⭐ Ivan Perisic ($7.5m MID)
The man for the big occasion, Ivan Perisic enters his third World Cup with 5 goals to his name in the last two editions combined! He also has 4 Euro goals to his name & has been a fantasy legend for me in World Cups & Euros in the past! He takes some set pieces & starts as a winger for his national team, he’ll definitely again be up for this World Cup which could turn out to be his last!
⭐ Luka Modric ($8.5m MID)
Along with Perisic, Modric also enters this World Cup which could turn out to be his last. The Real Madrid man is 37 now & it’s crazy that he’s still going strong & is still regarded as one of the best in the world in his position at the moment! He’s on penalties & all the set pieces and will rack up the “Ball Recovery” points. In his 4th World Cup despite missing out on 2010, he’ll look to bow out from the international stage on a memorable note for sure!
💎 Borna Sosa ($3.5m DEF) / Josip Juranovic ($5m DEF)
Both Sosa & Juranovic are expected to start at left back and right back positions respectively & are very good cheap options!!!
Juranovic has been outstanding since signing for Celtic last season & takes penalties for the Scottish club so… if if (which is unlikely) Modric is taken off/rested & Croatia get a penalty then he could potentially take it!
Sosa in particular could turn out to be a proper gem of an asset being only available at $3.5m in a vastly experienced Croatian side! The 24 year-old Stuttgart man already has 5 assists to his name in the Bundesliga this season & is a great crosser of the ball so he’s definitely one to watch!
MOROCCO 🇲🇦
- Nickname: Atlas Lions
- Current FIFA Rank: 22
- Manager: Walid Regragui
- Formation: 4-2-3-1 / 4-1-4-1 / 4-3-3
📸 26-MAN SQUAD LIST:
🎁 PREDICTED STARTING XI:
🔑 KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
⭐ Achraf Hakimi ($5m DEF)
The 24-year-old PSG full-back has already made a name for himself for club & country! He already has 4 goal contributions in Ligue 1 this season after being directly involved in 10 goals last time out! Hakimi is Morocco’s star man these days & will be looking to guide the Atlas Lions’ to their first knockout appearance since 1986. He is a pretty good free-kick taker as well so his different routes to points make him a solid fantasy option overall!
⭐ Hakim Ziyech ($7m MID)
Ziyech is back in the international fold having been left out previously by the previous manager, Halilhodzic. He has seen very little club football so far at Chelsea but will have a vital role to play in Morocco’s latest World Cup campaign! He’ll be on almost all set pieces when on the pitch so we’re looking at another very good mid-priced midfielder over here! Just note that at the time of writing this, he just scored a spectacular goal from halfway line in a friendly against Georgia so he looks at it alright😉
⭐ Sofian Boufal ($6m MID)
The 29-year-old Angers winger is in very good form heading into the World Cup having scored 3 goals and assisting 3 times in 11 apps so far this season! He is a backup penalty taker for the Atlas Lions. He had a superb AFCON campaign earlier this year where he scored 3 goals, the former Southampton man offers a very good alternative option to Ziyech!
💎 Youssef En-Nesyri ($5.5m FWD)
The 25-year-old Moroccan has been struggling with fitness in the past couple of seasons which hasn’t helped Sevilla who seem to lose their cutting edge in the final third with him not being on the pitch. But when on the pitch and firing in all cylinders he is a real threat in front of goal. He scored 18 goals in La Liga two seasons back & has scored in Morocco’s recent friendly against Georgia so he looks kind of ready for the footballing festival in Qatar!
CANADA 🇨🇦
- Nickname: Les Rouges (The Reds)
- Current FIFA Rank: 41
- Manager: John Herdman
- Formation: 4-2-3-1 / 3-4-1-2 / 4-4-2
📸 26-MAN SQUAD LIST:
🎁 PREDICTED STARTING XI:
🔑 KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
⭐ Alphonso Davies ($5m DEF)
Peep, peep, OOP Alert 📢
Davies is the star man in this Canadian setup & he plays as an attacking midfielder / as a winger for his country & not as a left-back as he normally does for Bayern! Also on some set pieces and could potentially take some penalties himself, the Bayern youngster could turn out to be a star in this World Cup!
⭐ Jonathan David ($6m FWD)
The 22 year-old Lille center forward is in blistering form heading into this World Cup, having already scored 9 Ligue 1 goals this season! He has scored 13 & 15 goals respectively in the French league in each of the past two seasons & will look to make his mark in Qatar from the coming week! It will all come to whether he gets the right kind of service or not, particularly from Davies & Buchanan but I’m sure he’ll get a fair few opportunities to score!
💎 Stephen Eustáquio ($5.5m MID)
The FC Porto midfielder has 4 goals & 5 assists in club football this season so his different routes to points make him a gem of an option!
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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!
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What’s next from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Fantasy Season?
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