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Brandon's DraftKings and FanDuel WC DFS lineup picks for 2026 FIFA World Cup Soccer on 6/26/26 (Matchday 15). 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! The final Group Stage fixtures are here, and so is the chaos in the race for the Knockout Stage! Let's kick off Matchday 15!!
The top favorite for today is New Zealand (+1500) vs. Belgium (-600). I will guide you through this six-match slate starting at 3:00 p.m. ET on Friday, June 26.
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.
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Predictions - Matchday 15
France 2 vs Norway 0
Senegal 2 vs Iraq 1
Uruguay 0 vs Spain 3
Cape Verde 0 vs Saudi Arabia 1
New Zealand 0 vs Belgium 3
Egypt 2 vs Iran 1
Knockout Stage Scenarios:
Group I:
- Both Norway and France will see significant rotation. Patrick Berg is expected to get his first World Cup start for the Nords
- The match that matters is Senegal vs Iraq. Both teams MUST win in order to try to make the Knockout Stage. Both clubs are sitting with zero points.
Group H:
- Spain vs Uruguay is interesting. This may be the most boring match of the slate. Both teams are currently qualified for the Knockout Stage, but a win by either Cape Verde or Saudi Arabia would bump Uruguay down to third place and send them home.
- Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia matters the most in this group. Neither would go through right now because of the lack of points — Cape Verde currently sits in third with two points. Saudi Arabia will have plenty of motivation here.
Group G:
- Egypt qualified for the Knockout Stage on points alone — they have four, however, if they want an easier Round of 16 matchup, they need to win. Iran must beat them in order to automatically qualify and save their World Cup trip. Otherwise, a loss or draw will most likely eliminate them, especially if Belgium wins vs New Zealand.
- Outside of the Iraq vs Senegal match, Belgium vs New Zealand might be the other 'easy to predict' fixture. Belgium HAS to win, otherwise they will take an early exit from the World Cup.
EPL DFS Goalies
Mohammed Al Owais - DK $4.6K || FD $10
Opponent - vs. Cape Verde
Over the entire 2026 FIFA World Cup, this slate may have the most ‘friendly’ options at the goalkeeper position. Namely, Mohammed Al Owais of Saudi Arabia. Through two matches for Cape Verde, they are averaging one goal per 90 minutes. That is after a 0-0 draw with Spain and a 2-2 draw with Uruguay. Both shocking results. In those two fixtures, they generated 13 shots, with three on target. The save volume is there for Al Owais.
In his first two starts in this year’s edition of the FIFA World Cup, Al Owais has made 14 saves and conceded five goals. Furthermore, through his three World Cups and six appearances, he has made 30 saves and conceded 11 goals. He has the potential to reach value in this must-win scenario.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Thibaut Courtois (DK $6K || FD $14) vs. New Zealand
- Unai Simón (DK $5.8K || FD $12) vs. Uruguay
EPL DFS Forwards
Mohamed Salah - DK $9K || FD $21
Opponent - vs. Iran
Egypt has qualified as mentioned above, but if they are focused on the long-term, they will want to win this match. Look no further than their star creator and goal-scorer, Mohamed Salah. Over his first two matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Salah has produced one goal, two assists, six shots, eight chances created, seven crosses, six corners, and one tackle. Looking back at his most likely final season with Liverpool of the English Premier League this season, in 40 appearances–33 starts–Salah managed 12 goals, 10 assists, 104 shots, 79 chances created, 166 crosses, 88 corners, 27 tackles, 11 interceptions, and eight clearances.
Iran has had an off-and-on performance in the World Cup, drawing New Zealand 2-2 and drawing Belgium 0-0. Now it comes down to which version of Iran shows up in their final Group Stage fixture. Egypt and Iran have never played each other either, leaving much to the imagination. With Salah the sole set piece taker for Egypt, he is projected to surpass value in a ‘must-win’ matchup.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Lamine Yamal (DK $10.7K || FD $22) vs. Uruguay
- Romelo Lukaku (DK $8.1K || FD $16) vs. New Zealand
Mohamed Salah 🇪🇬#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/VQlLz4VHDd
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 21, 2026
EPL DFS Midfielders
Kevin de Bruyne - DK $10.3K || FD $19
Opponent - vs. New Zealand
Speaking of ‘must-win’ scenarios, Belgium is in dire need of a win over New Zealand. The Red Devils are currently waiting at the airport for their flight home, unless they find a way to break through in their final fixture. The ‘darkhorse’ has been underwhelming, drawing 1-1 with Egypt and drawing 0-0 with Iran. However, despite their inefficiencies in front of the opposing net, their midfield maestro, Kevin de Bruyne, has remained their catalyst and focal point of the attack.
In two matches, he produced nine shots, five chances created, 14 crosses, five corners, and one tackle. Furthermore, in 21 appearances and 16 starts for Napoli of Serie A this season, de Bruyne gathered five goals, four assists, 30 shots, 40 chances created, 64 crosses, 43 corners, 16 tackles, six interceptions, and five clearances. Given the urgency, it is expected that the star midfielder will lead an aggressive attack and deliver a ceiling performance to keep Belgium’s chances alive.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Musab Al Juwayr (DK $4.7K || FD $11) vs. Cape Verde
- Patrick Berg (DK $3.9K || FD $11) vs. France
EPL DFS Defenders
Ramin Rezaeian - DK $5K || FD $14
Opponent - vs. Egypt
Ramin Rezaeian may be one of the older players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup; however, he has not shown any signs of slowing down. The majority set piece taker for Iran managed one goal, one assist, one shot, five chances created, 14 crosses, five corners, three tackles, and one interception in his first two matches in the Group Stage. In the wingback’s three trips to the World Cup and seven starts, he has produced two goals, one assist, four shots, ten chances created, 33 crosses, five corners, 18 tackles, six interceptions, and 16 clearances.
This match will be close, with both international clubs needing a win. This will enable Rezaeian to push up the pitch and generate both offensive and defensive peripherals. Considering his salary and role for Iran, he could be considered a ‘LOCK’ in all formats.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Pedro Porro (DK $6.5K || FD $15) vs. Uruguay
- El Hadji Malick Diouf (DK $4.6K || FD $12) vs. Iraq
🏴 0 x 2🇮🇷
⚽️Roozbeh Cheshmi - 90'+8'
⚽️Ramin Rezaeian - 90'+11'Até o último minuto! 😮💨#Qatar2022 | #CopadoMundoFIFA pic.twitter.com/FG7i5ftudg
— Copa do Mundo FIFA🏆 (@fifaworldcup_pt) November 25, 2024
Corner Takers
- France: Kylian Mbappé/Ousmane Dembélé
- Norway: Patrick Berg
- Iraq: Amir Al Ammari
- Senegal: El Hadji Malick Diouf/Krepin Diatta
- Spain: Álex Baena/Lamine Yamal
- Uruguay: Maximiliano Araújo
- Saudi Arabia: Musab Al Juwayr
- Cape Verde: Jamiro Monteiro
- Belgium: Kevin de Bruyne
- New Zealand: Timothy Payne
- Iran: Ramin Rezaeian
- Egypt: Mohamed Salah
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
