Just eight matches remain of this year’s World Cup, the first of which gets underway at 3pm in Nizhny Novgorod as Uruguay take on France in the opening quarter-final.

Kylian Mbappe‘s (£9.0m) two-goal performance in Les Bleus’ 4-3 win over Argentina has attracted over 430,000 new Fantasy managers (the highest number of the round) and the 19-year-old forward is now the most-owned French asset, having been selected by 30.8% of those who are playing McDonald’s FIFA.

Antoine Griezmann (£10.0m) has yet to score from open play at this year’s tournament but simply being on spot-kick duties for his country in this World Cup of penalties means he warrants consideration. The Atletico Madrid forward, who has already scored twice from 12 yards, is owned by 17.4% of Fantasy managers.

The curious case of N’Golo Kante (£6.0m) drags on. While the Chelsea star admittedly remains the cheapest route into the French midfield, his lack of goal involvement (no goals, assists, shots or big chances created) has not deterred over a fifth of McDonald’s FIFA bosses from drafting the defensive midfielder into their squads.

Benjamin Pavard‘s (£4.5m) wonder strike in the win over Argentina, coupled with his budget price tag, has attracted the interest of over 150,000 new managers: the full-back now has a double-digit ownership, along with Raphael Varane (£6.0m) and Hugo Lloris (£6.0m).

Edinson Cavani (£9.5m) produced an excellent display in the 2-1 win over Portugal, scoring twice, but the Uruguayan striker misses out this afternoon with a calf injury.

Cavani’s strike partner Luis Suarez (£10.0m), who has two goals and an assist to his name at this summer’s World Cup, is owned by just 8% of McDonald’s FIFA managers. Suarez and Cavani have had more big chances than all of France’s squad combined this summer.

Diego Godin, Jose Gimenez and goalkeeper Fernando Muslera (all £5.7m) have been backed by 30.6%, 14.5% and 14.4% of McDonald’s FIFA managers respectively. Uruguay have yet to concede a goal from open play in 2018, with Pepe’s header from a corner-kick in the last-16 tie with Portugal the first goal Uruguay have conceded at this World Cup.

Uruguay XI (4-3-1-2): Muslera; Caceres, Gimenez, Godin, Laxalt; Nandez, Torreira, Vecino; Bentancur; Suarez, Stuani

France XI (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez; Pogba, Kante; Tolisso, Mbappe, Griezmann; Giroud

World Cup Data

We’re delighted to offer World Cup data as an early addition to our regular season offering to help those playing Fantasy games over the summer.

We’ve secured Opta data, not only for the tournament itself, but also from the Qualifying Rounds for Europe and South America and for international friendlies involving the participating nations. This includes all the matches played right up to the tournament kick-off.

Just to stress, this World Cup offering comes packaged with the regular Fantasy Football Scout membership.

Check out this new trailer detailing the World Cup content below…

McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Fantasy

Join our McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Fantasy league ‘FantasyFootballScout’ using the code: HEWJPVYR

Fantasy iTeam

Fantasy Football Scout is supporting Fantasy iTeam, a free World Cup game available on a number of mobile devices, including iPhone, iPad, iPodTouch and Android. We have an official Fantasy Football Scout League open to UK users only, with a £1000 of Amazon vouchers to give out, split between the top three performers. There’s also the small matter of £10k worth of prizes available in the main competitions: Overall World Championship and Manager of the Gameround.

Click here for details and here to sign up.

Our League name is Fantasy Football Scout and the pin is 1887.

Please note, users must be over 18 and based in the UK to join our league.