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Brandon's DraftKings and FanDuel WC DFS lineup picks for 2026 FIFA World Cup Soccer on 6/29/26 (Matchday 19). 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 Group Stage has come and gone, and now we start the Knockout Stage! Whose dreams and wishes can come true, and which ones will be crushed in the shocking upsets? Let's kick off Matchday 19!!
The top favorite for today is Germany (-700) vs. Paraguay (+480). I will guide you through this three-match slate starting at 1:00 p.m. ET on Monday, June 29.
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 19
Brazil 2 vs Japan 0
Germany 3 vs Paraguay 0
Netherlands 3 vs Morocco 1
EPL DFS Goalies
Zion Suzuki - DK $4K || FD $8
Opponent - vs. Brazil
The majority of the Daily Fantasy Managers will pay up for the goalkeeper today, and rightfully so. However, there are always upsets in the Knockout Stage at the FIFA World Cup. Zion Suzuki and Japan may not be one of those upsets, but they surely will see plenty of shots coming their way.
It is expected that Brazil will dominate possession in this match, and Japan is predicted to start with a defensive 4-3-3. It wouldn’t be surprising if they end up dropping into a flat five and ‘park the bus’ against Brazil’s elite offense and let the favorites take as many shots as they want.
In Suzuki’s first three World Cup appearances, he has made eight saves, conceded three goals, and recorded one clean sheet. Furthermore, since his transfer to Serie A's Parma FC, in two seasons and 57 starts, he has made 166 saves, conceded 81 goals, and recorded 12 clean sheets.
Suzuki is known for his prowess in the net, especially in high-stakes situations. If value is needed or a manager wants to zig while everyone else zags, this is the move, especially in GPP formats.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Manuel Neuer (DK $5.8K || FD $13) vs. Paraguay
- Bart Verbruggen (DK $5K || FD $11) vs. Morocco
EPL DFS Forwards
Matheus Cunha - DK $7.6K || FD $20
Opponent - vs. Japan
At the other end of the pitch is Manchester United striker Matheus Cunha. After riding the bench in the first Group Stage match, a 1-1 draw with Morocco. Cunha finished out Group Stage play with three goals, seven shots, one chance created, one cross, three tackles, two interceptions, and two clearances in two starts.
To reiterate from previous articles, the striker Cunha, in his 34 appearances and 30 starts for Manchester this past season, amassed 10 goals, two assists, 93 shots, 36 chances created, 52 crosses, five corners, 41 tackles, 21 interceptions, and 22 clearances.
As mentioned above, Japan conceded three goals and 15 shots on target in their three Group Stage matches. Japan's weakest performance came against the Netherlands in a 2-2 draw. Cunha is projected to reach value solely from shots and shots assisted.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Kai Havertz (DK $9.3K || FD $19) vs. Paraguay
- Brian Brobbey (DK $7K || FD $19) vs. Morocco
EPL DFS Midfielders
Florian Wirtz - DK $8.8K || FD $15
Opponent - vs. Paraguay
At this point, Florian Wirtz is becoming one of the few reliable players from Germany. In his three Group Stage starts, he produced two assists, eight shots, eight chances created, three crosses, three corners, five tackles, and two interceptions. Looking back at this past season with Liverpool, in his 48 appearances and 39 starts in all competitions, he produced seven goals, seven assists, 78 shots, 95 chances created, 50 crosses, 25 corners, 51 tackles, 13 interceptions, and 14 clearances.
In Paraguay’s ‘major’ test against the United States, they conceded seven total shots on target and four goals. They managed to record two clean sheets in the 1-0 win over Turkey and the 0-0 draw with Australia. Wirtz’s performance will depend on the rest of Die Mannschaft and on whether they deliver a performance similar to the Curaçao or Ecuador matches. Either way, Wirtz is the catalyst for the Germans and is predicted to reach value in this prime matchup.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Tijjani Reijnders (DK $7.9K || FD $14) vs. Morocco
- Lucas Paquetá (DK $6.2K || FD $17) vs. Japan
2ND MINUTE GOAL FOR GERMANY AT NY/NJ STADIUM 🇩🇪
Leroy Sané gets his team off to a flying start vs Ecuador pic.twitter.com/V9Furz7lJ2
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 25, 2026
EPL DFS Defenders
Achraf Hakimi - DK $7.3K || FD $16
Opponent - vs. Netherlands
Achraf Hakimi is considered a ‘LOCK’ in all contests heading into the second day of the Knockout Stage. The wingback has been the heartbeat of Morocco without surprise. In his three Group Stage starts, he managed one goal, one assist, 10 shots, 11 chances created, 18 crosses, nine corners, eight tackles, two interceptions, and two clearances. Surprisingly, the bulk of his production has come on the offense. That may change here, however.
The Oranje will look to capitalize on their Group Stage success in a well-contested matchup with Morocco. The Dutch have surprised some with their surge in offense. In their three Group Stage fixtures, they produced 10 goals, averaging just over three goals per 90 minutes.
They also showed that they were not invincible defensively, as some may have thought. Considering Hakimi’s majority role in set pieces and the fireworks ahead, his potential for a ceiling performance is not out of the question.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Joshua Kimmich (DK $7.7K || FD $13) vs. Paraguay
- Douglas Santos (DK $4K || FD $10) vs. Japan
Morocco finds the EQUALIZER against Haiti 🇲🇦
It's Achraf Hakimi pic.twitter.com/9HCNo6pOhF
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 24, 2026
Corner Takers
- Brazil: Bruno Guimarães
- Japan: Daichi Kamada
- Germany: Joshua Kimmich/Nathaniel Brown
- Paraguay: Julio Enciso
- Netherlands: Tijjani Reijnders
- Morocco: Achraf Hakimi
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
