The Round of 16 begins on Saturday as the World Cup continues with the first two teams advancing to the quarterfinals. The two-game main DFS fantasy soccer slate kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET when Canada takes on Morocco in Houston. The second game of the day features France taking on Paraguay in Philadelphia, with the kickoff at 5:00 p.m. ET. DraftKings is ready to move on to the next round with another strong slate of DFS soccer contests as well. Let’s examine the four teams taking the pitch this Saturday and highlight some strong World Cup DFS picks for your lineups.
Now that we’ve reached the knockout stage, 30 minutes of extra time (plus stoppage) will follow regulation if the match is tied. There is no more “Golden Goal” format, with the full 30 minutes played, even if a team scores. A penalty kick shootout will follow if the match is still tied at the end of extra time. Morocco (-285) and France (-1600) are heavily favored to move on to the next round, based on the current odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
This article was written before starting lineups were announced, so be sure to check back as lineups are announced and adjust your squad if necessary. With plenty of high-priced superstar options and some great value plays, it should be another great day of fantasy action at the World Cup, so let’s dive in and pick out my top World Cup DFS picks this Saturday.
Make your DraftKings World Cup DFS picks here: WC $70K Chip Pass [$20K to 1st]
Forward
Stud
Kylian Mbappe, France, $11,500 — Mbappe is the most expensive player on the slate this Saturday, but he is worth paying up for to build around since he has been so consistent and excellent throughout France’s four games in the tournament. He has over 23 FPTS in each of his four games in the tournament and is coming off a very nice 34.9 FPTS against Sweden when he had two goals on five shots (four on goal).
While he is known for his goal-scoring, Mbappe has also done a great job setting up teammates. He had two assists against Norway and has provided 10 chances created over his last three contests.
He has scored exactly two goals in three of his four games this tournament and has two games with over 33 FPTS. On Saturday, he’ll take on Paraguay, who allowed four goals to the U.S. in the opener, but has only allowed two goals in three games since then. They just stunned Germany in penalty kicks in the last round, but Mbappe is in such excellent form that he’s still an excellent pay-up play.
Value
Bilal El Khannouss, Morocco, $5,900 — El Khannouss has had a solid World Cup for Morocco, even though he doesn’t have a goal or an assist yet through four games. The 22-year-old has been involved enough in the offense to still earn at least 7.0 FPTS in each contest, though, with 11.8 FPTS against Haiti in his best performance of the tournament.
He has at least one shot in every game with four shots on goal and six chances created over the span of the tournament. He also has 10 crosses, including a personal tournament-high four in his team’s last game against the Netherlands.
El Khannouss finished with nine goals and seven assists in 41 appearances this season for VfB Stuttgart while on loan from Leicester City. Earlier this week, the clubs agreed on compensation to make the loan permanent, so he’ll be back with Stuttgart again this season.
He has the ability to create and finish on offense, and the Moroccan offense should be able to find space against Canada, which hasn’t faced a very strong offense yet in this World Cup. El Khannouss is a solid way to save some salary but still get good upside at one of your forward spots.
Midfielder
Stud
Michael Olise, France, $10,500 — It is possible to build around France’s two big stars, Mbappe and Olise, but you will have to be creative with the rest of your roster. Both players have been so excellent throughout the tournament that the strategy has typically paid off so far in this World Cup. Olise had two assists on France’s three goals against Sweden in the last round, earning a personal tournament-high of 32.4 FPTS.
The star from Bayern Munich has yet to find the back of the net, but he has still been able to produce 20+ FPTS in three of his four matches. He has a total of five assists in those games and has taken 14 shots (five on goal). He had a down game in the last game of the group stage against Norway, but he bounced back with that big game against Sweden, proving he has the form and ability to be a huge difference-maker for France as they look to continue their run deep into the Knockout Stage.
France has looked the strongest of any team in the tournament, and they’ll look to keep rolling in this favorable matchup against Paraguay. Since it’s possible to get both stars in place if you find value in other spots, Olise is a very strong play alongside Mbappe on Saturday.
Value
Matias Galarza, Paraguay, $3,900 — Galarza has come a long way during this World Cup. The 24-year-old didn’t play at all against the U.S. in the opener, but he played all 120 minutes against Germany. Galarza scored the only goal in the team’s 1-0 win over Türkiye in his first start, earning 17.6 FPTS.
No one was able to score in the team’s 0-0 draw with Australia, but Galarza still earned 8.5 FPTS for his defensive work and crosses. In the Round of 32, Galarza had 12.0 FPTS with an assist on Paraguay’s goal against Germany, along with more strong defensive numbers.
For his club competition, he’s on loan right now from River Plate in Argentina to Atlanta United, and he could make that move permanent this summer, especially if he continues to play at such a high level.
Against Mbappe, Olise, and the rest of France’s strong offense, Galarza will have to step up again on Saturday, but at his salary under $4,000, he offers some great salary relief while still being one of his team’s key contributors.
Defender
Stud
Achraf Hakimi, Morocco, $8,300 — If you don’t play the two French superstars, one intriguing way to structure your roster is to go with Hakimi out of the back since he plays such a huge role in the Atlas Lions’ offense. I’ve been referring to Hakimi as a cheat code throughout the tournament, since he’s basically a way to get another attacking player at a position where most options are primarily defensive.
The PSG standout has posted at least 14 FPTS in each of his four matches and went off for a massive 40.4 FPTS in his team’s 4-2 win over Haiti. Against the Netherlands in the last round, Hakimi earned 18.7 FPTS with three shots (one on goal), three chances created and nine crosses. It was his second straight game with nine crosses, and he continues to provide plenty of potential production on the wing.
Hakimi is not a cheap play, for sure, but he does bring enough upside to be worth paying up for if you can find a way to make his salary work with the rest of your build. He can definitely be a key difference-maker on the pitch and in your fantasy lineup.
Value
Luc De Fougerolles, Canada, $3,700 — Canada has several rising young stars who are looking to be the core of the team’s future in international play, and de Fougerolles has emerged as part of that core after a successful season with FCV Dender in the Belgian Pro League. He was on loan from Fulham in the English Premier League (EPL) and is expected to return and play for Fulham this season.
De Fougerolles started the first three games of this World Cup for Canada, producing over 4.0 FPTS in each match. He had one shot (one on goal) against Switzerland in the Group Play finale, and he was very productive with 4.3 FPTS in just 31 minutes against South Africa.
If you’re looking for a bargain on the back line who brings upside, check out the 20-year-old that his teammates call “The Machine.” He ranks fifth among all players in the World Cup in FIFA’s player ranking system for defending, and he has been one of the biggest breakout contributors for Canada who will look to knock off Morocco and pull off the upset heading into the quarterfinals.
Goalkeeper
Stud
Mike Maignan, France, $5,900 — Maignan has let two goals in this tournament, but he has earned 10+ FPTS in each of his last three games and is coming off his best fantasy production of the World Cup. He had 16.3 FPTS against Sweden on three saves while earning the clean sheet and the win bonus.
Maignan has eight total saves in his four matches in this World Cup and is a perfect 4-0-0. “Magic Mike” has been very solid when called upon and will look to continue to push his squad through the knockout stages. The defense in front of him is very deep, and Paraguay isn’t expected to have much possession or create many chances. With Les Bleus as such heavy favorites, Maignan is a relatively safe play with good upside if he earns both bonuses once again.
Value
Orlando Gil, Paraguay, $3,600 — I had Gil in my picks as a value play in Paraguay’s upset of Germany, and he delivered 16.2 FPTS with six saves in his team’s victory in a penalty shootout. He has over 15 FPTS in three straight games with at least five saves in each contest.
The 26-year-old who plays for San Lorenzo in the Argentine Premier Division had his best fantasy game of the tournament with 20.2 FPTS against Turkiye in a 1-0 victory, and he has had so many shots taken against him that his save totals make him a strong option to consider on Saturday. He started the tournament with -1.7 FPTS against the USA, but his three strong showings since then demonstrate his upside.
Against France, he’s likely to face another heavy barrage of shots, which makes him high-risk but also gives him a high ceiling if he racks up saves.
