We are here with our top 5 best striker picks this week for round 1 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fantasy game.
Goals win matches, and in FIFA World Cup Fantasy, strikers are often the players who deliver the biggest points hauls. Whether through clinical finishing, penalty-taking duties, or consistent involvement in attacking moves, the right forward can transform a fantasy gameweek. With Round 1 presenting several favorable fixtures and high-scoring opportunities, managers have a chance to make an immediate impact. In this article, we highlight five striker picks who offer the best combination of form, fixture quality, and fantasy potential heading into the opening round.
Best 2026 FIFA World Cup Fantasy Round 1 - Best Striker Picks
Harry Kane (England, $10.5M)
With players like Bukayo Saka and Morgan Rogers behind him to provide the best passes and the whole team being built around him, Harry Kane is undoubtedly one of the best strikers you can have in your World Cup Fantasy side for Round 1. Whether it's for Bayern Munich or England, the former Tottenham forward has been simply sensational. Croatia is a tough game for England, but Kane is a player who can score against any opposition.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, $10M)
The 2026 FIFA World Cup looks like the final dance for Cristiano Ronaldo. This is a Portugal team where he is no longer the best player, but with the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Nuno Mendes there to support him, the 41 year old could still be a difference maker for the national team. Portugal also face DR Congo in Round 1, which makes Ronaldo a really attractive Fantasy Striker pick.
Erling Haaland (Norway, $10.5M)
Erling Haaland is the best striker in the world for many, but there's also this question mark around him if the Norwegian can consistently score goals without his world-class Man City teammates behind him. We'll get a definite answer to that question in the 2026 FIFA World. Norway will face Iraq in round 1, and a motivated Haaland looking to prove his doubters wrong is undoubtedly a solid striker pick.
Kylian Mbappé (France, $10.5M)
The World Cup is the stage where we usually see the best of Kylian Mbappe, and we could very well see him replicate his previous legendary performances as he'll be chasing numerous records in the 2026 edition of the tournament. France will begin their World Cup journey against Senegal, and Mbappe will be leading the French attack. He is likely going to be one of the most popular attackers in round 1.
Lionel Messi (Argentina, $10M)
Similar to Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the last one for Lionel Messi as well, who "completed football" after winning the previous edition of the tournament in 2022. Messi was impressive in Argentina's recent friendly game against Iceland as well, and is a decent attacking pick this week as he'll be leading his nation against Algeria.
Final words
Selecting the right strikers is one of the most important decisions for World Cup Fantasy managers, as forwards often carry the highest goal-scoring upside in the game. While star names naturally attract attention, factors such as fixture difficulty, team attacking strength, and expected involvement in goals should guide your final choices. Round 1 offers several exciting options capable of delivering big returns, and backing the right front line could provide the perfect platform for a strong start to your World Cup Fantasy campaign.
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