In this post, we’ll be examining the best differentials options for MD4/Round of 32 of the World Cup, focusing on players with low ownership who can offer high returns! We’ll be selecting players with good fixtures based on form, stats, and expected data.
REMINDER: In FIFA World Cup Fantasy 2026, players under 5% ownership that score 4+ points in a given Match Day will get a bonus 2 points called ‘scouting bonus’ – So differentials are truly worth their weight in gold!
The Round of 32 fixtures begin on Sunday night, a day before MD3 officially ends, so at the time of writing, we’re not 100% sure who will be facing who in the first set of knockout games or what each team’s road to the final is going to look like. We’ll make sure to update this post as we approach the deadline with as much up-to-date information as possible. Let’s take a look at some of the Best Differential Picks for MD4 | Round of 32…
Here is the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 and Full bracket till quarter-finals:
Link to all our 2026 World Cup Fantasy MD4/Round of 32 Blogs in one place, including Differentials, Captaincy, Chip strategy, Wildcard drafts, Tips, and more. Completely free to access as well!
Differentials for MD4/Round of 32 – Goalkeepers / Defenders
Kobel ($4.7 – 3.9%) – Switzerland
Switzerland will be facing one of the third placed teams in the Round of 32 having confirmed their top spot in group B with a win over host nation Canada in MD3. Switzerland have conceded 1 goal in every one of their three matches so far this world cup, but it’s important to look deeper than this base stat when analysing a team’s defensive abilities.
Against Qatar in MD1 Switzerland conceded an own goal late on in the match but were otherwise defensively solid, conceding just 6 shots (3 on target) and limiting Qatar to very few touches in their box (8 all match). In MD2 Switzerland conceded just 5 shots (3 on target) and 0.23xG but again were the victims of a late goal, this time from a corner. In MD3 Switzerland dominated until the final quarter of the game, conceding just 0.5xG and 9 shots prior to that point – they then conceded in the 76th minute and had to defend from a late barrage of Canadian shots on goal.
Fundamentally Switzerland have shown so far this tournament that they can lock oppositions out of the game and limit their opponents to very few chances on goal – with a favourable fixture in MD4 against Algeria, Switzerland’s defense is certainly one to target. He’s one of the best goalkeeping differential picks for MD4!
Molina ($4.4 – 3.3%) – Argentina
Last week we included Medina in our Differentials piece, but this week it is his fullback partner Molina who makes the list. Argentina have qualified top of their group and will thus face the second placed team in group H: Cape Verde!
FACT: Argentina haven’t conceded a goal in 5 matches (including friendlies) and have conceded just 2 goals in their last 10 matches.
Argentina play a very interesting brand of football which involves players crowding around the ball in possession in order to create overloads. These overloads often happen in central areas, as Argentina possess a wealth of central midfield talent and a selection of forwards who thrive in more central spaces. These central overloads often leave space for fullbacks to overlap and attack spaces out wide vacated by opposition defenses being drawn into the centre of the pitch by the overloads – a great example of this was Molina’s assist in MD2 against Austria. Both fullbacks are given license to do this in equal measure, and both are great options for our WC Fantasy teams moving forwards.
Further Read: FIFA World Cup Fantasy 2026 – Best Matchday 4 Team and Tips
Vásquez ($4.7 – 3.5%) – Mexico
Mexico have kept clean sheets in all three of their world cup matches so far, profiting from an electric home atmosphere at the Azteca and a faithful set of supporters. Furthermore, they’ve conceded less than 1xG in all three of their matches so far, despite facing an exciting South Korea side which caused the Czech Republic so many issues and then rotating heavily for their MD3 fixture – this demonstrates how defensively sound their system is, regardless of personnel or opposition.
Both Vasques and Gallardo ($4.7 – 1%) are excellent options for WC Fantasy as they are nailed starters for this Mexico side. Neither player offers much of an attacking threat so we’ve gone for Vasquez as he did have 18 shots from set pieces last season in Seria A so may offer something to Mexico from set piece situations. Mexico, as with Switzerland, face one of the third placed teams in the Round of 32, which could be anyone from Cape Verde to Belgium – though as it stands their opponents would be Scotland.
3/3 clean sheets and a fixture against one of the sides that finish third in their groups – you can’t argue with that…
Other Defenders to consider for MD4 | Round of 32:
- Mojica ($3.9 – 1.9%)/Sanchez($4.3 – 1.0%) – Colombia
Mojica was Rested for MD3 vs Portugal, Good fixture vs Ghana in MD4 and good clean sheet chances. Sanchez has good aerial threat as well and almost scored vs Portugal in injury time only to be ruled out by a marginal offside call. - Konsa ($4.8 – 2.8%) – England
Starting defender for one of the favourites / Playing DR Congo in MD4 / likely to progress. - Senaya ($3.5 – 1.3%) – Ghana
Excellent defensive side / tough to break down / surprise package - Robinson ($5 – 3.1%) – USA
Decent defense / attacking potential / favourable RO32 fixture (Bosnia)
Further Read: World Cup 2026: Knockout Stage Predicted Goals (For & Against)
Differentials for MD4/Round of 32 – Midfielders / Forwards
Vargas ($6.8 – 1.4%) – Switzerland
I think I might be slightly obsessed with Vargas. This guy is a serious player, and has been putting up phenomenal attacking numbers for Switzerland all tournament. He blanked in MD1, creating an obscene number of chances and finishing the game with 0.95xGI. In MD2 he came off the bench and provided 2 assists and a goal, coming away with 15 points, before starting against Canada in MD3 and scoring again – he’s on fire.
FACT: Vargas is averaging 0.92xGI/90 so far this tournament, 4th highest among midfielders.
As previously outlined, Switzerland will have a favourable fixture in MD3 and could easily progress to the RO16 and beyond, likely facing one of Colombia or Croatia in the next round before likely facing Argentina in the quarter finals. Vargas is an easy set and forget option for our Round of 32 teams in my opinion. He’s one of the best midfielder differential picks for MD4!
Neto ($6.4 – 0.8%) – Portugal
Portugal absolutely blew Uzbekistan away in MD2, putting 5 past Cananvaro’s side and answering the question of whether they should be considered one of the favourites for the competition in emphatic fashion. Ronaldo will obviously get the headlines, but Portugal’s attack more broadly shone throughout. Neto was subbed at half time with the scoreline already 3-0 (likely due to the scoreline and gamestate, saving his legs for more important games further down the track), but produced another assist for Portugal, making it two in two so far this tournament.
Conceicao has looked electric whenever he’s come on for Portugal so far this tournament, but Neto looks likely to keep his spot in the attack due to his versatility and reliability. He is not the most exciting pick, but his attraction comes from the fact that he is such a low owned player playing for one of the better attacks in the competition and for a team which likely go far – something which we should be considering at this stage. Portugal, will play Croatia in MD4 which will be by no means an easy fixture, but one which we should expect them to overcome.
Further Read: FIFA World Cup Fantasy 2026 – Best Matchday 4 Team and Tips
Bruno Guimaraes ($6.8 – 3.9%) – Brazil
Bruno G is the definition of an all-rounder. The Newcastle midfielder is yet to blank so far this tournament and is averaging 8 points per match. He’s secured tackle points in 2/3 matches, assists in 2/3 matches as well as clean sheet points and chances created points – oh and don’t forget the scouting bonus!
FACT: Bruno G has the 5th most points of any midfielder in WC Fantasy at the time of writing and is bettered only by Vinicius Junior and Cunha in the Brazil squad!
Brazil looked sub-par in their first match against Morocco but have since kicked on, beating Haiti comfortably in MD2 and capitalising on a Scottish capitulation in MD3. Vinicius will obviously get all of the plaudits and rightly so – he has been phenomenal this tournament and should certainly be in most WC Fantasy teams (he is of course over 5% ownership however.). Bruno G is on some set piece duties (depending on which other players are on the pitch) and can deliver points in a variety of ways – he’s an excellent pick for MD4 and beyond!
Cunha could also be considered, but I think it’s likely he will rise to over 5% ownership by the deadline for the Round of 32 considering he is already on 3.7% ownership and rising fast!
Anderson ($6.5 – 1.1%) – England
I felt it necessary to include an England player in this list considering that they will be facing DR CONGO in MD4 | Round of 32 should they defeat Panama in MD3 (as they are expected to). Anderson is similar to Bruno G in more ways than one (Newcastle links aside) and is another player who can deliver points from a variety of avenues.
In MD1 Anderson secured a 7 point haul against Croatia, contributing in an attacking sense with an assist, before scoring tackle points and a clean sheet point against Ghana in MD2. It remains to be seen how England will perform in MD2, but we are certainly not in a state of meltdown just yet (even if the media wants you to think that we are). Anderson is nailed, fairly mid-priced and could easily score 4+ points on a given matchday thus earning himself the scouting bonus and getting a few extra points for your teams. Furthermore, it is widely expected that England will go far in this tournament, so getting a couple of the England lads in for the long haul is a good idea.
Further Read: World Cup 2026: Knockout Stage Predicted Goals (For & Against)
Balogun ($6.0 – 3.9%) – USA
With the USA will be facing Bosnia in the Round of 32 | MD4, before likely facing another weaker side in the round of 16 (currently projected to be either Egypt or South Korea but this is subject to change), it’s a good idea to secure a few of their assets now with the unlimited transfers available to managers for MD4. Balogun didn’t start in MD3 as the USA rotated heavily, but delivered an attacking return in both of his first two group stage games.
The USA have shown themselves to be a capable attacking outfit, brushing aside the likes of Paraguay and Australia with ease in MD1 and MD2. In Pulisic’s absence, Pocchettino was forced to call on Pepi to play alongside Balogun – Pepi supported Balogun well, as the Monaco striker had the most touches in the opposition box, highlighting his role as a poacher for this USA side.
Other Midfielders/Forwards to consider for MD4 | Round of 32:
- Doue ($7.5 – 3.1%) – France
IF starting he’s an excellent option / low ownership way into France attack / rotation issue - Quiñones ($5.6 – 1%) – Mexico
Great attacking stats / nailed / favourable RO32 fixture (South Africa) - David ($7 – 2.3%) – Canada
Facing South Africa in RO32 / scored a hatrick in MD2 / nailed
Further Reads from AAFPL ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fantasy MD4
Best World Cup Fantasy Matchday 4 Team- Stats, Key Notes and Tips
FIFA World Cup 2026 Knockout Stages and MD4- Projected Goals Scored and Conceded
World Cup Fantasy 2026 – Best Differentials for MD4 | Round of 32
FIFA World Cup 2026- Penalty and Set Piece Takers for all Teams
World Cup Fantasy 2026: Comprehensive Booster Strategy Guide
World Cup Fantasy 2026: Best Options for “12th Man” Booster
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Predicted Line Ups of All Teams
Link to all our FIFA World Cup Fantasy MD4 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!
What’s next from AllAboutFPL ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fantasy MD4 Deadline?
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