Hot on the heels of the Premier League season's conclusion, football fans worldwide now have a new obsession to sink their teeth into as the official, free-to-play FIFA World Cup Fantasy game has gone live ahead of the 2026 global showpiece running from June 11 to July 19.
The tournament itself makes history as the first World Cup to feature 48 participating nations, and the Fantasy game promises to keep fans glued to every match across the expanded competition.
The format will be familiar to seasoned Fantasy Premier League managers. Managers select a 15-player squad comprising two goalkeepers, five defenders, five midfielders and three forwards, deploying a starting eleven in one of seven formations ranging from the traditional 4-4-2 to a bold 3-4-3 or defensive 5-4-1.
The budget is set at $100 million to build your squad, rising to $105 million from the Round of 32 onwards, and crucially, player prices remain fixed throughout the tournament, removing the transfer market speculation element familiar to FPL veterans.
The scoring system carries some notable differences from FPL. Every position earns one additional point per goal, while midfielders earn bonus points for tackles and chances created. Forwards are rewarded for shots on target, and clean sheet bonuses remain generous for defenders and goalkeepers who play 60 minutes or more.
Transfer windows are generous early on with unlimited free transfers pre-tournament and before the Round of 32, before tightening as the competition reaches its business end.
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Managers can begin building their squads immediately at play.fifa.com.
The World Cup fantasy begins, who will you pick?