Best Forwards to Target in FIFA 2026 World Cup Fantasy

Identifying the right man in attack is the basis of creating balance in your World Cup fantasy team, as forwards play a key role in scoring goals for their respective nations. In this blog, we’ll explore the top strikers to have between Matchdays 1 and 3 of the Group Stage for the FIFA 2026 World Cup.

Article written by @TheFPLManual, do drop him a follow on Twitter/X

Link to all our 2026 World Cup Fant asy blogs in one place, including position-wise players to target, Group previews, Differentials, Captaincy, Chip strategy, Budget Enablers, Tips, and more. Completely free to access as well!

According to the Official FIFA Market predictor ADI Predictstreet. It’s listed the following names as frontrunners for this World Cup, which are Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo, and among the chasers are Julian Alvarez and Mikel Oyarzabal. It’s from this list of elite forwards that will set a premise for our focus on today’s article.

We have a varying range of quality strikers from the premium picks of $10.5m and budget enablers like Iranian forward Mehdi Taremi at $6.1m. However, based on the game’s scoring metrics, forwards stand to gain one point from every two shots on target.

Therefore, if your captain of the day manages to blank but accrues 10 shots on target, you gain 5 points coupled with appearances (over 60 minutes: 2 points); you can score 7 points without your strikers scoring. Although the above scenario is perhaps somewhat exaggerated, it nevertheless highlights the need for fantasy managers to narrow down on more clinical attackers this summer.

Below are our top picks we’ll be recommending as must-haves or assets who could also bring in scouting bonus points based on direct free kicks and do not exceed 5% ownership.

Kylian Mbappe (France) $10.5m | TSB: 50.8% ownership

Group Stage Fixtures: Senegal, Iraq, Norway

2018 World Cup champion, 2022 Golden Glove winner in Qatar, consecutive winner of the Pichichi award for most goals scored in the Spanish La Liga, and captain of the French national team. Football fans who witnessed the 27-year-old score a hat-trick in a World Cup final are not surprised by Mbappé’s pedigree, which explains why he is the most owned player in World Cup fantasy.

During the World Cup Qualifiers, Kylian Mbappe contributed five goals, providing three assists in only four appearances for Les Bleus. On penalty duty, he is on the verge of reaching 100 goal contributions in only 97 caps. He will undoubtedly be a vital member of your fantasy squad, starting every minute for France.

Further Read: World Cup 2026: Predicted Goals (For & Against) – Interactive Table

Erling Haaland $10.5m | TSB: 33.3% ownership

Group Stage Fixtures: Iraq, Senegal, France

The FIFA 2026 World Cup will make it Erling Haaland’s debut with Norway, as the Vikings return after last participating in 1998. Guys, it’s Erling ‘Braut’ HAALAND; do I need to really spell out the stats? You know it’s a goal galore with this lad, as he scored 16 goals in the World Cup qualifiers for Norway, finishing as the top goal scorer in Europe.

Norway will probably qualify and move on to the next round in Group I, but on paper, the only match that stands out is Iraq, where Erling Haaland might score two goals before facing an experienced Senegalese squad and then favorites France. The best time to target the Norwegian is Matchday 1 on your 12th man booster, but if your budget cannot fit him in, Alexander Sørloth ($6.8m) provides a much cheaper route to cover him.

Further Read: World Cup 2026: Most In-Form Players in Each Position – Interactive Table

Harry Kane (England) $10.5m | TSB: 37.7% ownership

Group Stage Fixtures: Croatia, Ghana, Panama

Bayern Munich’s most in-form player, Harry Kane, is back with the Three Lions to participate in his third World Cup. Kane has been phenomenal for his Bayern, producing 61 goals and creating seven assists across all competitions for the Reds.

Harry Kane is a big-game player for England who has scored eight goals in his last 11 World Cup appearances and additionally scored 10 goals in the World Cup qualifiers to help his nation secure first place in Group K. England boss Thomas Tuchel recently commented that “Harry is in top shape and ready to go” and considers him a key player for the Three Lions.

That laugh 😂

Harry Kane's in the mood 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lHjeGcaeRC
— England (@England) June 6, 2026

However, Tuchel also hinted at managing Kane’s minutes with Ivan Toney ($7.5m) and Ollie Watkins ($7.9m) as likely options who would contribute later down in the contest. With this in mind, it is fair to presume Harry Kane might play close to 180 minutes in Matchdays 1 and 2 but could be rested for the final group game against Panama to keep him fit for the remainder of the tournament. Keep your eyes peeled for more pressers to come for such updates and get your Wildcard booster to adapt to team rotation

Further Read: Best Goalkeepers to Target in FIFA 2026 World Cup Fantasy

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) $10m | TSB: 13.2% ownership

Group Stage Fixtures: DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia

The 41-year-old will play in his sixth World Cup after making his debut in 2006. With 28 goals for Al-Nassr, Ronaldo finished as the second-highest goalscorer in the Saudi Pro League. Since this may be his final World Cup for his country, we can expect the veteran to give it his best to help Portugal reach the final and win the World Cup.

Livres + Cristiano = 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗮𝗱𝗲. ✨🎞️ #VaiDarPortugal | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Fiq4doJmtV
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) June 5, 2026

Despite Ronaldo being on penalties and a few free kicks, his minutes have been managed a lot, and at his $10m price, many managers would prefer his teammate Bruno Fernandes, priced at $8.5m. Nonetheless, Ronaldo might be a quality pick for the 12th man booster when Portugal faces World Cup debutants Uzbekistan in Matchday 2.

Further Read: Best 2026 FIFA World Cup Fantasy MD1 Drafts

Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) $8.1m | TSB: 16.5% ownership

Group Stage Fixtures: Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

Scoring 15 goals for Real Sociedad in the 2025/26 Spanish La Liga season, Luis de la Fuente has called up Mikel Oyarzabal to be La Roja‘s main striker in the 2026 World Cup. The 29-year-old Spaniard was the leading goal scorer for his nation during the World Cup Europe qualifiers, scoring six times and creating four assists.

One area where Oyarzabal stands out among his teammates is that he is the designated penalty taker for Spain; however, with the call-up of Ferran Torres (7.8m) and Borja Iglesias ($6.8m) in attack, we could likely see Oyarzabal play 60 to 75 minutes every game before being subbed off. There is a high-risk, high-reward aspect to having him in your selection, but be careful of likely team rotation around Matchday 3’s tie against Uruguay.

Further Read: World Cup Fantasy 2026: Comprehensive Booster Strategy Guide

Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) $7.7m | TSB: 3.2% ownership

Group Stage Fixtures: Japan, Sweden, Tunisia

After a surprising 1-0 friendly defeat to Algeria, Dutch fans believe it’s nearly impossible for head coach Ronald Koeman to start both Serie A’s in-form striker Donyell Malen ($6.1m) and the most capped forward Memphis Depay ($7.4m) in the same team. With the uncertainty around those players, Cody Gakpo appears to be the standout Dutch forward to rely on for guaranteed minutes.

In recent international form, the 27-year-old attacker has made eight goal contributions (4 goals and 4 assists) in his last 10 caps for the Netherlands. Presently selected by less than 5% of World Cup Fantasy, Gakpo qualifies for the scouting bonus system and is top prospect for attacking returns in Group F.

Further Read: Best Defenders to Target in FIFA World Cup Fantasy 2026

Honorable Mentions

Argentina: 2022 World Cup winners will definitely have Lionel Messi ($10m) featured in every game; however, it’s a bit difficult deciding which asset between Julian Alvarez ($8.6m) or Lautaro Martinez ($8.8m), would play regularly with the 8-time Ballon d’Or winner. Stay grounded for more updates from the Argentine camp.
Germany: Arsenal’s Kai Havertz ($7.8m), returning from the Champions League final, has some competition to face with Vfb Stuttgart forward Deniz Undav ($6.6m), so be careful when selecting either striker.
Korea Republic: 33-year-old Son Heung-min ($7.4m) recently scored a brace for the Asian Tigers against Trinidad and Tobago; he looks like a decent pick who will be crucial in Group A against Mexico, South Africa and Czechia.
Switzerland: Breel Embolo ($7.5m) has scored seven goals in his last 10 matches for Switzerland against top opposition like Germany and the USA. The Swiss forward’s first game against Qatar makes him a top differential to have in MD1.

Further Read: Best Midfielders to Target in FIFA 2026 World Cup Fantasy

Budget Enablers

Austria: Marko Arnautovic ($6m)
Colombia: Luis Suarez ($5.7m)
Haiti: Wilson Isidor ($5m)
IR Iran: Mehdi Taremi ($6.1m)
South Africa: Oswin Appollis ($4.9m)
USA: Folarin Balogun ($6m)

**Link** to join our WC Fantasy Mini League (Code: S8DIP9RE)

Further Reads from AAFPL ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fantasy Season

Link to all our FIFA World Cup Fantasy blogs in one place, including group previews, tips, and rules guide, differentials, chip strategy, best drafts with pros and cons, and more. Completely free to access as well!

Thanks for reading the “Best Forwards World Cup Fantasy” blog. Keep checking allaboutfpl.com for regular blogs. Also, follow our 220,000+ community on Instagram, Threads, Facebook, & Twitter/X to stay updated on regular Posts and World Cup fantasy updates.

What’s next from AllAboutFPL ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fantasy Season?

We’ll be covering group previews, tips and rules guide, differentials, chip strategy, position-wise players to target, best drafts with pros and cons, plus a lot more content. Keep checking allaboutfpl.com for all our blogs. We’ll also be posting regularly about the same on our social media accounts, so follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, Threads, and Facebook, and keep our notifications ON.

Our content is always free, and if you like our content, do drop a comment, follow, subscribe, and support us. Your love is what keeps us going:)

**Link to all our 2026 World Cup Fantasy Content** in one place

Our content is always free, and if you like our content, do drop a comment, follow, subscribe, and support us. Your love is what keeps us going:)

Best Forwards to Target in FIFA 2026 World Cup Fantasy