2022 World Cup fantasy football: Everything you need to know
Lovers of FPL might be wondering what to do with themselves as the Premier League endures a lengthy hiatus to fit in the 2022 World Cup.
Well, fantasy lovers. Do not fear. A special fantasy football game is afoot.
Those who adore the fantastical realm of the sport would've prepared for this moment and got themselves ready for perhaps a less competitive iteration of fantasy football.
FIFA World Cup Fantasy is in the hot seat while the FPL takes a breather, and here are all the details regarding the concept that only comes around every four years.
World Cup Fantasy squad size
Managers pick squads of 15 in FPL, consisting of two goalkeepers, five defenders, five midfielders and three forwards. The budget is £100m and, during the group stage, you can select three players maximum from any nation.
However, once the tournament progresses into the knockout phase, the number of players you can select from one nation increases. For example, you can pick four in the round of 16, five in the quarter-finals, six in the semi-finals, and eight in the final.
Managers then select their starting XI, captain - who scores double points for the team - and vice-captain. If a captain doesn't play on a matchday, the vice-captain picks up double points. If neither play, no player's score is doubled.
How to make transfers in World Cup Fantasy
Once you've drafted your first squad, managers can make an unlimited number of transfers up until the first matchday.
Ahead of Matchdays 2 and 3 in the group stage, you can make a maximum of two transfers to refresh your squad.
With 16 teams being dumped out of the competition after the group phase, managers can then make an unlimited number of transfers before the round of 16. Four transfers are allowed ahead of the quarter-finals, five before the semi-finals, and six before the final.
During any stage of the tournament, you are able to exceed your transfer allocation for that round but each additional transfer you make will deduct 3 points off your total points.
What is a 12th Man in World Cup Fantasy?
The 12th Man allows managers to defy budget and team restrictions for one particular round. You can pick any player not yet in your squad to become your 12th Man and thus earn you points.
When selected, the 12th man cannot be substituted, captained or transferred.
What is a Power Captain in World Cup Fantasy?
Picking a skipper will be tricky for your fantasy team, especially given that Erling Haaland won't be jetting off to Qatar.
The Power Captain boost grants double points to the highest-scoring player on your team during any given round. This player will automatically be assigned the captaincy.
How many Wildcards are in Fantasy World Cup?
The Wildcard allows players to make unlimited free transfers within a specific round. It is an option when players wish to make multiple changes to their squads.
This booster cannot be used ahead of the first group game or before the start of the round of 16 as managers are already gifted unlimited transfers.
How to change formation in World Cup Fantasy
Managers can opt for any formation they like... within reason. Here are the eight that are available for World Cup Fantasy:
- 4-4-2
- 4-3-3
- 4-5-1
- 3-4-3
- 3-5-2
- 5-2-3
- 5-3-2
- 5-4-1
You can change your formation through the formation selector on the team page or by removing a player from one position and adding in a player from another.
World Cup Fantasy scoring
For the 2022 World Cup, fantasy points are awarded for the following:
- Appearance (60 minutes or more) - 1
- Assist - 3
- Yellow card -1
- Red card -2
- Own goal -2
- Winning a penalty - 2
- Conceding a penalty -1
- Clean sheet (GK & DEF) - 5
- Penalty save - 3
- Every 3 saves - 1
- Goal scored (defender) - 7
- Clean sheet (MF) - 1
- Every 3 tackles- 1
- Every 2 key passes - 1
- Goal scored (MF & FWD) - 5
- Every 2 shots on target - 1
All rules can be found on the official FIFA World Cup Fantasy website.
World Cup Fantasy deadlines
In the Fantasy Premier League, deadlines are always 90 minutes before the first match of the gameweek. For World Cup Fantasy, we should see something similar but the specific deadlines aren't outlined in the official rule book.