Here’s our World Cup Fantasy Group’s G-L Team Previews with Rob’s 2nd Group preview article after the preview of Groups A-F. He looks at the teams within each Group, their prospects and key players for your World Cup Fantasy Team 2026
Rob Reid’s World Cup Fantasy Groups G-L team previews
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Introduction
Welcome to the second part of my Groups preview – I’m doing the remaining 6 groups G-L in this one.
Group G – Belgium, Egypt, Iran, NewZealand
Group G looks intriguing on paper. First up we have a Belgium team that has evolved from the ageing group that previously failed to shake off their perennial bridesmaids tag. A number of experienced defenders have retired though experienced Real Madrid keeper is back in the fold after injury and a fall-out with the previous coaching team. They laboured a bit in qualification, being held in North Macedonia and Kazakhstan and also nearly blowing a 3-0 lead at home to Wales before winning 4-3 with a late De Bruyne goal.
Speaking of whom, De Bruyne is probably their standout asset at 7.5 and was their top scoring in qualifying with 6 goals. He also has most of the set pieces and will probably take penalties if Lukaku (7.4) isn’t on the pitch. Lukaku does boast an incredible international goal record of 90 goals in 125 games and is a notorious flat-track bully but his minutes have been very limited for Napoli this season so don’t bank on his minutes.
If Lukaku doesn’t play, then 5.6 midfielder De Ketelaere becomes an intesting pick as he may fill that striker berth. Elsewhere, Doku (7.5) scored 5 goals in qualifying and has been in good club form and there might be value at the back in Debast (4.3) though De Cuyper (4.7) seems the more popular pick amongst content providers.
Belgium’s main rivals in the group should be Egypt. They were another African team who perhaps got a kind qualifying draw, but they still won their group at a canter finishing unbeaten with 8 wins out 10 and conceding only twice. Unsurprisingly, Mo Salah top-scored with 9 goals, is the penalty-taker and is priced at a hefty 10.0 though is listed in midfield; Trezeguet netted 5 in qualifying and is 5.6 though is in the competitive forward bracket. Interestingly, their goalkeepers are well priced at either 3.5 or 3.6 – uncertainty who starts here though it’s likely to be between te experienced El-Shenawy or Shobeir.
Iran and New Zealand are the other teams in the section. Iran are actually ranked 20th in the world, 14 placed above Egypt though this looks a tough tournament for them with the all the recent political conflict affecting their team logistics. They qualified top of a competitive Asian Group A and their best known asset is Olimpiacos striker Taremi (6.1); Hardani could be a filler defensive pick at 3.7m.
New Zealand are a difficult one to predict as the Oceania qualifying isn’t very competitive. They did struggle in a 4-0 friendly loss to Haiti last week, but they did beat Chile in March, held Norway in Oslo last Autumn and were competitive vs England this weekend. Cheap defenders again could offer the best picks with centre-backs Surman (3.5) and Boxall (3.6) priced very low.
Conclusion – consider Belgium and Egypt picks from R2 after their R1 match-up is out of the way.
Group H – Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group H has serious mismatch potential with world number 1 Spain and world number 16 Uruguay facing the lesser ranked Saudi Arabia and debutants Cape Verde. Spain and Uruguay also don’t meet until R3, so their assets will be firmly on the shopping lists for managers on a R3 Wildcard. Spain comfortably won their qualification group, with a draw in the last match versus Turkiye spoiling a potential 100% record. Merino (6.2) and Oyarzabal (8.1) were joint top scorers with 6, Oyarzabal looks a good pick as he seems to have locked down the starting striker slot; he should be on penalties too which heightens the appeal.
Elsewhere, selection is complex. Yamal (10.0) is the key attacking midfield asset but his fitness is in question so it’s a lot of money to risk. Nico Williams (7.8) and Dani Olmo (7.7) are the other main options vying for a start in one of the more attacking roles. Pedri (8.1) is probably better for xMins but not as attacking. In defence, there’s a lot of debate as to who may start as well but Cucurella (5.1) at LB seems to be reckoned to be the most certain starter. Simon (5.0) is likely to be the starting keeper.
Uruguay next then – they finished 4th in CONEMBOL qualifying with 6 of their 7 wins coming at home. FPL troll Darwin Nunez (7.5) was their top scorer was 5, but I prefer Real Madrid star Valverde in midfield at the same price – he’s on penalties too. With 2 good fixtures in R1 and R2, we should consider their defence too. Araujo is their star name but comes at 5.0 price, the value is possibly in goal with Rochet (4.1) looking to have usurped veteran Muslera.
Of the other 2 teams, there’s not much that leaps out, but they meet in R3 so there could be the option to put a differential filler in for 1 fixture if you fancy a punt. Cape Verde won a qualifying group that included Cameroon. It wasn’t so straightforward for Saudi Arabia who qualified through the 4th stage of the Asia section pipping Iraq in goals scored to avoid the Inter-Continental Play-offs. Mendes (4.9) is the likely penalty taker for Cape Verde while Livramento (4.9) was their top scorer in qualifying, though both are forwards which isn’t hugely helpful. For the Saudis, midfielder and Captain Al-Dawsari is their star player but has a whopping 7.2 price tag. There’s a bit of doubt as to whether he or forward Al-Brikan (5.3) are on pens.
Conclusion – Target Uruguay and Spain assets if on a WC 3 strategy
Group I – France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
A strong group with one of the overall favourites, 2 in-form outside contenders with star players and a team that qualified via the most circuitous route who are looking to upset the odds. 2022 runners-up and 2018 Champions France are highly fancied and for good reason. They had a straightforward qualification with a draw in Iceland the only blip, and their squad is packed with tournament experience and players with success at club level.
The challenge I guess is that their best fixture vs Iraq falls in R2 and whatever we do I reckon we may need a strategy to cover at least 2 of their attacking assets for this fixture. Kylian Mbappe at 10.5 could be the problem here as he will be heavily owned and we’ll want him as a Captain option in R2. Midfielders Olise (9.5) and Dembele (10.0) are probably my next favoured options though I do worry that all 3 of their main strike force may have their minutes managed in that second fixture. Goalkeeper Maignan is the cheapest entry point to the French defensive players at 5.0.
It’ll be close between Norway and Senegal for the 2nd place I reckon. Norway open versus Iraq so their assets look good for R1 while Senegal are on the radar for R3. Norway were emphatic in qualification, winning all 6 games and scoring 37 goals in the process. They blew Moldova away 11-1 but more notably won home and away to Italy with an aggregate score of 7-1.
The only question I guess is how they will cope with the heat. It’s difficult to look beyond Haaland (10.5) for their opening match, even before you take into account his 16 goals in qualifying. Odegaard (7.7) and Nusa (6.1) are options in midfield with the eccentric Ryerson (4.2) probably their best defensive pick.
Senegal kept 8 clean sheets in a qualifying section where they finished unbeaten, and had initially won the 2026 AFCON before the result was overturned due to them controversially leaving the pitch for 20 minutes. Midfielder Mane (7.6) is the top goalscorer in the squad with 55 goals in 127 games, but the value may be in their defence for that 3rd game – Diouf at 4.1 would be eligible for scouting bonus for example. Iraq have a tough draw here so it’s difficult to recommend at asset but forward Hussein (5.3) is their penalty taker for reference.
Conclusion – Make sure to have France attacking assets for R2 at the least, Haaland in R1 vs Iraq will be dangerous not to own.
Group J – Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group J features a kind draw for defending Champions Argentina. Austria and Algeria will provide a stern test though and World Cup newcomers Jordan will be keen to make their mark on the big stage; remember Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia in the group stages on their way to their 2022 win.
Argentina comfortably won the CONEMBOL qualifying, but there were blips along the way including a 2-0 defeat at home to Uruguay. Messi (10.0) was their top scorer in qualifying with 8 goals, fellow forwards Martinez (8.8) and Alvarez (8.6) were their next highest with 4 apiece. Enzo Fernandez (7.5) is probably the pick from midfield and he’ll have several routes to points while in defence someone like Tagliafico (4.3) could be an interesting punt who might accrue scouting bonus too.
Austria are the next highest ranked team and won their qualifying group in a tough section that also contained Bosnia and Romania. They won 6 of their 8 matches, losing only once in Romania and conceded just 4 goals. The evergreen Aranautovic (6.0) scored 8 goals in qualifying and is the likely penalty taker, midfielder Sabitzer (6.8) is an interesting option too. Experienced Captain Alaba (4.6) is probably the pick of defenders – he takes some set pieces while Posch (4.3) is slightly cheaper and could get scouting bonus.
Algeria had just a sole defeat in qualifying at home to Guinea and recent form is good. Their only defeat since that Guinea match was in the AFCON quarters against Nigeria and they have recently beaten the Netherlands in a friendly too. Their main goal threats are midfielder Mahrez (6.5 and also has pens and set pieces) and forward Amoura (6.2). At the back there is debate over who the starting keeper could be but Luca Zidane (son of French Icon Zinedene) looks to have nabbed the spot and is only 3.8.
Captain Mandi (3.9) is another cheap option in defence. Jordan have a tough task in this group and a 4-1 defeat to Switzerland in a recent warm-up looked a bit ominous. Captain Olwan (4.2) is the likely penalty taker and is one of the cheapest forwards in the game.
Conclusion – Argentina attacking assets maybe best for R3, but could do well in all 3. Austria attack vs Jordan in R1 good and Algeria defence for their easier R2 and R3 games could give value.
Group K – Portugal, Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
This group features 2 high ranked nations and 2 debutants ranked in the 50s in the world rankings. Portugal are the Pot 1 team, but Colombia will run them close for second I reckon. DR Congo and Uzbekistan are slight unknowns though could spring a surprise.
It was an odd qualification campaign for Portugal. 2 thumping wins over Armenia perhaps make things look easier than they were. They lost away in Dublin and needed a late goal to beat Ireland in the reverse fixture while also needing a late show to see off Hungary in Budapest. There’s class right through the team though and while Ronaldo (10.0) will be a popular forward pick, I prefer Bruno Fernandes in midfield at 8.5. Their defence maybe wasn’t the most convincing in qualifying but should do fine in this group: Mendes (5.6) and Cancelo (5.3) for example both also offer attacking upside.
I like Colombia’s chances in this group too. They were 3rd in the CONEMBOL section, with midfielder Luis Diaz (8.1) the second highest scorer overall with 7. James Rodriguez (6.5 midfield) and Luis Suarez (5.7 forward- not the Uruguayan!) both look decent assets too. There’s excellent value also in defence – Munoz (4.6) will be popular amongst FPL managers, but Mojica at 3.9 looks great value. Colombia face Portugal in R3 so both sides look good for those on a R3 Wildcard. As for DR Congo and Uzbekistan, choosing players from these 2 nations looks less viable in R1 and R2 but could be a differential shout in R3. For Uzbekistan perhaps consider Mashiripov at 6.1 in midfield – he takes most of their set pieces. For DR Congo, consider one of their attacking full-backs – Wan-Bissaka is 4.3 and Masuaku is 4.2.
Conclusion – Portugal and Colombia assets look great for R1 and R2
Group L – England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
To England’s group last of all then. We’ll start with the top seeds – emphatic in qualifying winning all 6 games without conceding albeit in weak section where the next strongest teams were Albania and Serbia. Unconvincing since though – a draw with Uruguay, defeat at home to Japan and a narrow 1-0 win in their first warm-up match over New Zealand.
The have their 2 tougher matches first, but the Panama game in R3 must surely be targeted and goal machine Kane (10.5) looks a shoe-in for this match. The tricky bit then will be figuring out the midfield – maybe Rogers at 7.2 as a slight differential? There’s an argument for picking a defender for all 3 games – Guehi (5.1) possibly best for xMins here.
Croatia and Ghana will make this group a real scrap though I reckon. Croatia are a wily tournament team and also qualified strongly with their only dropped points coming in a goalless draw with Czechia. How their ageing veterans stand up to the heat might be the key but don’t write off talismanic midfielder Luka Modric (6.2) and forwards Perisic (5.4) and Budimir (6.8) turning back the clock. Vuskovic provides the youth in defence and could be a bargain at 3.7.
For Ghana, they may not be the power they were in 2010 but I still see them providing a stern test. They won a fairly easy qualifying section, losing only once away to Comoros, though they failed to qualify for AFCON and have lost 5 out of 6 friendly matches since, a draw to Wales last week being the other result. Jordan Ayew (5.3) was their top scorer in qualifying though Semenyo (7.2, listed as a forwad) has been in great club form.
Panama will be hoping not to just make up the numbers, but again I see it difficult to justify a pick from them though they make have a penalty taking defender in 3.9 Davis.
Conclusion – target England in R3, but other games may be tight.
