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Brandon's DraftKings and FanDuel WC DFS lineup picks for 2026 FIFA World Cup Soccer on 6/18/26 (Matchday 7). His top daily fantasy soccer forwards, midfielders, defenders, goalkeepers.
Welcome back to "The Kick-Off," and welcome to the 2025-26 season! Say goodbye to domestic cups, leagues, and more! We are here! It's the 2026 FIFA World Cup! Plenty of surprises await, with upsets and legendary moments waiting to be born! Let's kick off Matchday 7!!
The top favorite for today is Canada (-360) vs. Qatar (+1000). I will guide you through this four-match slate starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 18.
If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, cash game strategy, or anything else, don't hesitate to contact me at [email protected], via X @df_solutions, or in our Discord chat rooms.
Predictions - Matchday 7
Czechia 1 vs. South Africa 0
Switzerland 1 vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina 1
Canada 0 vs. Qatar 1
Mexico 1 vs. South Korea 1
EPL DFS Goalies
Mahmoud Abunada - DK $3.6K || FD $7
Opponent - at Canada
This slate offers a few options at the goalie position, especially when looking for value. Mahmoud Abunada of Qatar leads the charge. The Al-Rayyan SC goalkeeper had a mediocre season at best.
In 23 appearances in 2025 between three different competitions, he conceded 30 goals and recorded seven clean sheets. Unfortunately, finding metrics from the Stars League in Saudi Arabia is not easy, which limits the supporting defense metrics one would normally look at.
Despite us not having Stars League metrics, we still have Canada metrics, and they are not pretty. Canada was an overwhelming favorite heading into its 2026 FIFA World Cup debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it barely escaped with a point.
Qatar is a much faster team and will look to put pressure on the co-hosts quickly. There is a real chance that Abunada records a clean sheet due to Canada's lack of finishing quality and its projected chances created.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Matěj Kovář (DK $5.5K || FD $11) vs. South Africa
- Nikola Vasilj (DK $3.9K || FD $8) vs. Switzerland
EPL DFS Forwards
Akram Afif - DK $5.7K || FD $14
Opponent - at Canada
Staying with Qatar, we have forward and fellow Al-Sadd SC winger Akram Afif. This will be his second World Cup after debuting in 2022, making four appearances and scoring zero points before being eliminated in the Group Stage.
He performed admirably in the Stars League this previous season, amassing 15 goals and 12 assists in 22 matches. In the AFC Champions League, he scored one goal and recorded five assists in 10 matches.
It is projected that Afif will start as a striker in a 4-1-2-3, and it is unknown if he will be allowed to roam, which limits his upside. However, that will not impact his overall value. He is still the projected majority set-piece holder, and Canada gave up numerous chances from the flanks in its 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina (potential crosses into Afif). He is projected to meet value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Patrik Schick (DK $9.3K || FD $18) vs. South Africa
- Son Heung-Min (DK $9K || FD $19) at Mexico
Patrik Schick from a long way out 😳🇨🇿 pic.twitter.com/UcZuIL4QDy
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) June 11, 2026
EPL DFS Midfielders
Lukáš Provod - DK $6.2K || FD $16
Opponent - vs. South Africa
Lukáš Provod does not hold any set-piece role or a vital role at all, aside from being an attacking midfielder with some creativity. However, unlike every other matchup on this slate, Provod and the Čeští lvi are expected to control the match from the opening whistle.
In South Africa’s 2-0 loss to Mexico, the co-hosts ended the match with 61 percent possession. If this holds, Provod could quickly surpass value.
In eight UEFA Champions League starts this past season with SK Slavia Prague, Provod recorded two assists, 20 shots, 13 chances created, 29 crosses, 12 tackles, three interceptions, and nine clearances. With possession comes chances created, and with chances created come goals.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Roberto Alvarado (DK $8.4K || FD $17) vs. South Korea
- Ivan Bašić (DK $3.5K || FD $14) vs. Switzerland
EPL DFS Defenders
Vladimír Coufal - DK $6.9K || FD $13
Opponent - vs. South Africa
Vladimír Coufal will once again be considered a "LOCK" in all contests. The wingback for Czechia continues to be the majority set-piece taker, providing an instant floor. Add in his open-play value, and he quickly enters the ceiling conversation.
In 34 starts for 1899 Hoffenheim of the German Bundesliga this past season, he produced one goal, eight assists, 25 shots, 59 chances created, 209 crosses, 57 corners, 60 tackles, 37 interceptions, 108 clearances, and 16 blocks.
Furthermore, in his 2026 FIFA World Cup debut, he registered one assist, one chance created, six crosses, three corners, one interception, and three clearances.
As mentioned above, Czechia is projected to control possession throughout the match. This will only allow Coufal to push further up the pitch, giving him more opportunities to register a point and build his floor from crosses and assisted shots. Despite his high salary, he has the potential to surpass value in this prime matchup.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Oswin Appollis (DK $6.3K || FD $12) vs. Czechia ** LISTED AS FWD ON FD **
- Ricardo Rodríguez (DK $4.8K || FD $13) vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
CZECHIA SCORES ITS FIRST GOAL OF THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP 🇨🇿
Ladislav Krejcí finishes off the set-piece beauty pic.twitter.com/u63BOqPGMx
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 12, 2026
Corner Takers
- Czechia: Vladimír Coufal
- South Africa: Oswin Appollis/Relebohile Mofokeng
- Switzerland: Ricardo Rodríguez
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ivan Bašić/Benjamin Tahirović
- Canada: Stephen Eustáquio
- Qatar: Akram Afif
- Mexico: Roberto Alvarado
- South Korea: Son Heung-Min/Kang-In Lee
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
