Supercoach World Cup Watchlist: Buy, Hold, Sell round 3

There were a lot of learnings from the second round of Supercoach World Cup 2026. 

I made all my transfers before the first game kicked off, which in hindsight was the wrong move.

Given there’s no budget and you can pick all the best players, it’s actually more important to utilise loopholes in order to get the best scores on the field. 

For that reason, I’ll be delaying some of my transfers this week. 

Complicating matters this week is that some teams will start to rest players, having already secured a spot in the following round. 

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I suspect the teams that could effect include Germany, Argentina, Mexico and USA in particular.

If it’s not a total rest, we could also see some guys hooked earlier than usual. 

This week I scored 171 points, which saw a modest rise into 2,886. 

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BUY

DENZEL DUMFRIES (NED – DEF)

The Dutch right back should be at the very top of your shopping list for round three. A pair of assists against Sweden in round two and the Netherlands will want to top Group F, so still have plenty to play for. Dumfries offers a nice balance of attacking returns and defensive points.

CODY GAKPO (NED – FWD)

The Liverpool forward was on fire against Sweden, providing two goals and an assist in the 5-1 demolition job for a total of 33 SC points. Tunisia have leaked nine goals in their two games so far, so Gakpo could well and truly deliver again. 

YAN DIOMANDE (CIV – FWD)

This 19-year-old young gun is an absolute baller. Sure, Curacao managed a draw against Ecuador but they leaked seven goals in round one against Germany and the underlying data says they should’ve conceded against Ecuador, too. Diomande is averaging 9.5 SC points per game but is yet to deliver an attacking return this tournament. That tells me, the floor is high, and so too is the ceiling. 

GUELA DOUE (CIV – DEF)

Buy a guy who just scored one point against Germany? I expect Doue to start at right back for Ivory Coast against Curacao, after Wilfried Singo suffered a hamstring injury. He’s a super point of difference, in less than one per cent of teams. 

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ACHRAF HAKIMI (MOR – DEF)

Hakimi is already highly owned, but he looms as a must-have ahead of a fixture against Haiti. Offers plenty from an attacking perspective and is a great way into the Moroccan defence. 

ISMAEL SAIBARI (MOR – MID)

Saibari has provided both of Morocco’s goals this tournament and is playing at striker, despite being listed as a midfielder in Supercoach World Cup. I think he’s a rogue captaincy option. 

EL HADJI MALICK DIOUF (SEN – DEF)

I watched this guy closely at West Ham this year and he loves to get forward. Senegal will have plenty to play for against Iraq and I think Diouf offers a nice balance of clean sheet and attacking potential. Took some set pieces against France in round 1. 

SADIO MANE (SEN – FWD)

This guy is one of the best footballers to watch when he’s up and going and was Senegal’s most prolific attacker during qualifying. 

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MOHAMED SALAH (EGY – FWD)

The Egyptian King looms as a great buy ahead of the clash against Iran. Despite a win against New Zealand in round 2, Group G is super tight so Egypt will be looking to solidify their place in the tournament moving forward. Salah is involved in everything good for Egypt and after posting 21 SC points against the Kiwis and 11 against Belgium, another big return looms. 

HARRY KANE (ENG – FWD)

Kane was on fire in round one, but didn’t quite reach the same heights in round two against Ghana, blowing a golden chance late to win the game. England enter their final group stage match against Panama in need of a win and I expect to see the best version of the Bayern Munich star in that game. 

JORDAN PICKFORD (ENG – GKP)

England kept a clean sheet against Ghana and are likely to against Panama as well, so I’m keen to try and find a way into that. I’ve gone for Pickford, partly because I’m worried about rotation in Thomas Tuchel’s defence. 

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HOLD

VINICIUS JUNIOR (BRA – MID)

Hopefully you all jumped on board last week and enjoyed the star Brazilian’s 20 SC point return. In a Brazil team with plenty to play for still, Vini Jr should be another to consider for the captaincy this week against Scotland. Gun. 

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BRUNO FERNANDES (POR – MID)

The Manchester United star found some form against Uzbekistan, amassing 16 SC points. Portugal are currently first in second in Group K and a tough clash against Colombia awaits. However, destiny is still in their hands and if Portugal are to win that game, then Bruno Fernandes will need to be at the peak of his powers.

NUNO MENDES (POR – DEF)

I’m keen to hold Nuno Mendes this week, for the same reason as Bruno Fernandes above. Although the matchup is tough, the PSG left back has a great role and a huge ceiling.

KEVIN DE BRUYNE (BEL – MID)

De Bruyne is yet to deliver this tournament, but will need to be at his best if Belgium are going to progress into the knockout stages. As it stands, Belgium have had two draws this tournament, although a juicy matchup against New Zealand awaits. The Napoli gun is on set pieces and is a creative genius. 

THIBAUT COURTOIS (BEL – GKP)

This may be the Belgian goalkeeper’s final World Cup and I think he’s one of the best keeper options heading into round three. The Belgians kept a clean sheet against Iran on Monday morning but the appeal with Courtois is that he’s a nailed on starter. Belgium’s defence has been rotated a little bit already, but you can bank on the Real Madrid star to be there between the sticks. 

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GABRIEL MAGALHAES (BRA – DEF)

He doesn’t offer the same attacking threat for Brazil as he does for Arsenal, but he’s still a great buy. Should keep a clean sheet against Curacao, but if you’re not an owner, I don’t mind looking at a different Brazilian defender to try and go against the grain a little bit.

FRANCE PLAYERS

France have gone two from two so far in this tournament, but a clash against the in-form Norway awaits. The French will want to top their group, so you’d imagine the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Dayot Upamecano will at least start this one. Perhaps temper expectations slightly though, Haaland’s vikings are no pushovers. 

ARGENTINA PLAYERS

On paper, Argentina have an appealing matchup against Jordan, but given they’ve already locked themselves into first place, there’s a high chance Lionel Scaloni rests or manages some of his players. If they start, the likes of Lionel Messi and Emiliano Martinez are great players to own, but they could be rested. 

SELL

Raphinha (BRA – FWD)

If you’re a Raphinha owner, you’ll need to trade ahead of round 3. The Barcelona star suffered a thigh injury against Haiti and looks set to miss some time. 

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ERLING HAALAND (NOR – FWD)

Yep, I’m recommending taking out one of the best players in the world. Norway comes up against powerhouse France in round three, so I just think there are better options than Haaland this week. He’s undoubtedly a star, but I reckon you can make up some ground by going against the pack here. 

DAVID RAYA (ESP – GKP)

Unai Simon is Spain’s first-choice keeper right now, so it’s time to trade Raya. He’s not even a good loophole because he limits you to one other Spanish player.

GERMANY PLAYERS

Like Argentina, Germany have already locked themselves into first place in their group. A fixture against Ecuador awaits, but there’s a good chance the likes of Joshua Kimmich, Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala don’t feature as prominently as they have previously.