Fantasy Draft Europe: Two Squads Built Around World Cup Stars

Star forwards lead the picks

McIntyre opens with 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, describing the World Cup winner as the world’s best player at the moment. He points to Yamal’s 10 goals in 11 La Liga games this season.

Echegaray responds with Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane, citing six goals in four Nations League matches. McIntyre selects Kylian Mbappé next, noting his 16 goals for Real Madrid in La Liga and the Champions League this season.

Echegaray pairs Kane with Erling Haaland, who has three Nations League goals and 13 for Manchester City in all competitions this season. Haaland has scored 65 goals in 59 international matches for Norway.

France and England add firepower

McIntyre chooses France’s Michael Olise, saying the Bayern Munich player has scored four goals in four matches under new manager Zinedine Zidane. He also notes Olise’s performance at the World Cup.

Echegaray selects England’s Jude Bellingham, whose five goal contributions in four matches have made him a driving force alongside Kane, according to the writer. Bellingham’s brother Jobe has also joined the England squad, marking the first time since 2007 that siblings will feature on the men’s national team.

Defenders and midfielders round out sides

McIntyre picks Spain’s Pau Cubarsí, highlighting the 19-year-old’s role in a defense that conceded one goal in eight World Cup matches. Echegaray says an injury ruled out his original choice, Portugal’s Nuno Mendes, and leads him to select Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori instead.

In midfield, McIntyre chooses Portugal’s Vitinha, who finished third in 2025 Ballon d’Or voting and helped his country win the Nations League over Spain last year. Echegaray picks Spain’s Pedri for his passing and control of the team’s tempo, while noting his La Liga tally of two assists and one goal.