Group play comes to a close this Saturday with the final six games from Group J, Group K and Group L on the scoreboard. The Knockout Stage, with a single-elimination bracket of 32 teams, is starting to come into focus, but the final slots will all be filled by the end of the day Saturday. The first two games kick off at 5:00 p.m. ET, with the second pair at 7:30 p.m. ET and the night games at 10:00 p.m. ET closing it out. Let’s take a look at the 12 teams taking the pitch this Saturday and highlight some strong World Cup DFS picks for Saturday’s DraftKings contests. There are contests available in the lobby for the whole slate of six games along with contests that just focus on each pair of matches

Just a reminder of what the teams are playing for today — the top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout round of 32 teams. Since there are 12 groups, eight of the 12 third-place teams will also advance. Seeding is especially important as well, since third-place teams will have a difficult matchup against a top team from another group in the first stage of the knockout round.. For the latest odds of each team to advance and to make your own futures picks, be sure to check out the current odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.

This article was written before starting lineups were announced, so be sure to check back as lineups are announced and adjust your squad if necessary. With plenty of high-priced superstar options and some great value plays, it should be another great day of fantasy action at the World Cup, so let’s dive in and pick out my top World Cup DFS picks this Saturday.

Make your DraftKings World Cup DFS picks here: WC $80K Chip Pass [$20K to 1st]

Forward

Stud

Harry Kane, England, $10,500 — With Argentina already through in the top spot of their group, Lionel Messi ($11,500) is not expected to start against Jordan. Several other star forwards are on the board, though, with Kane standing out as the top pay-up play to build around. Kane and the Three Lions will be looking to bounce back after being held goalless by Ghana in a 0-0 draw on Tuesday. They’ll need a win over Panama, who is already eliminated, to win the group stage. If Kane starts and plays his usual role, he brings both a high upside and a high floor against winless Panama, who have lost each game 1-0.

Kane has been the clear focus of the attack for England in both their games, earning 33.3 FPTS with a nice brace in the opener before only managing 5.6 FPTS against Ghana. He had three shots (one on goal) and two fouls drawn while playing the full 90 minutes. Kane could be pulled early if England gets a lead, but if that’s the case, Kane will likely be involved in getting them there.

He has proven to be one of the best goal-scorers in the history of the World Cup and racked up 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern Munich across all competitions last season. The 32-year-old has outstanding finishing ability in every aspect of the game, and is a great place to start your roster if you’re paying up for a top-flight forward with goal-scoring upside on Saturday.

Value

Yoane Wissa, Congo DR, $6,600 — Wissa has featured in the Congo offense in both games as the team’s primary striker. He had a strong showing against Portugal in the opener, racking up 15.8 FPTS by scoring his team’s goal in the 1-1 draw and recording three fouls drawn, one tackle won, and two shots (one on goal). He was held quiet in the team’s second match, a 1-0 loss to Colombia, but he should be in a favorable matchup to get back on track against Uzbekistan.

Congo can advance with a win against Uzbekistan, which was just soundly defeated by Portugal, 5-0. Wissa is the key to Congo’s offense, which makes him a great value to build around with both a high floor and a high ceiling. He has shown the ability to both score and create chances for his teammates, and with this favorable matchup, he can help Congo DR secure their first trip to the Knockout Stage with a win on Saturday.

Midfielder

Stud

Luis Diaz, Colombia, $8,700 — In one of the best matches of the day, Diaz and Colombia will take on Portugal. Colombia is at the top of the group coming into the match and can secure that spot with a win or a draw. Portugal can also claim the top spot with a win, though, so this game matters even though both teams are likely through to the next stage.

Diaz has impressed as the key creator on the wing for Colombia in their wins over Congo DR and Uzbekistan. He had a goal and an assist in the opener and finished with 27.8 FPTS, and he followed that up with a solid 8.1 FPTS against Congo DR, producing five shots (two on goal) and two chances created. He had a pair of goals disallowed in that contest, so he was close to an even bigger game.

The 29-year-old starred alongside Kane for Bayern Munich last season, totaling 15 goals and 14 assists in the Bundesliga alone. He has has been the most dangerous and productive player on the pitch, and this matchup against Portugal gives him a chance to step up and establish Colombia as one of the teams to beat moving into the Knockout Stage.

Value

Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Uzbekistan, $5,000 — Uzbekistan still has a chance to move on in the World Cup despite their 0-0-2 record, but they would need a win by a wide margin to erase the goal differential from their tough loss to Portugal. The team has already made history this tournament, when Fayzullaev scored the team’s first-ever World Cup goal in their 3-1 loss to Colombia.

The 22-year-old posted 18.8 FPTS in that game with six crosses to go with his goal. In the team’s disappointing loss to Portugal, he still finished with 7.0 FPTS with one shot (one on goal), one cross and one chance created. Fayzullaev is the focus of the team’s offense and will look to create scoring chances for himself and others against Congo in a spot that he should be able to find some space.

He’s one of the rising young stars in Asia and earned honors as AFC Youth Player of the Year for 2023, along with Breakthrough of the Season in the 2023–24 Russian Premier League. He became Istanbul Basaksehir’s record signing in a $9.5 million move on a five-year contract last summer after starring for CSKA Moscow.

As the focus of the attack, he brings a high ceiling and a high floor for Uzbekistan on Saturday, and he can save salary while providing a key contributor if he can help get his country on the board again on Saturday.

Defender

Stud

Daniel Munoz, Colombia, $5,400 — Munoz has been one of the most impressive wing-backs in all of international soccer over the last year, starring for Crystal Palace in the EPL and carrying over that success on both ends of the pitch to the World Cup wtih Colombia. He made 46 appearances for Crystal Palace across all competitions and contributed five goals and four assists, including one goal and one assist in the UEFA Conference League.

Munoz scored a goal in each of Colombia’s first two games of this tournament, producing 15.4 FPTS against Uzbekistan and 16.6 FPTS against Congo, when he connected on the only goal of the match. Munoz has also pressed forward and hit crosses in each game, giving him potential as a creator as well as a finisher going forward.

Colombia will look to make their mark and win their group in their big matchup against Portugal, and Munoz stands out as one of the best defenders on the board who regulalry press forward and gets involved in the offense in addition to solid work in the back.

Value

Marvin Senaya, Ghana, $3,400 — Ghana has great value along its backline coming into Saturday’s matchup with Croatia, since the Black Stars have yet to concede a goal in the tournament. Senaya stepped up with 8.6 FPTS in the first game against Panama, hitting three crosses and grabbing an interception while getting the clean sheet bonus against Panama.

Against England, he was even better with 12.5 FPTS on one shot (none on goal), two crosses, five tackles won and two interceptions. His strong defensive numbers are boosted by his potential upside pressing forward as well, so Senaya can be a great cheap option to include in the backfield, especially if Ghana continues its oustanding defense as a unit.

Goalkeeper

Stud

Emiliano Martinez, Argentina, $5,800 — Martinez has only had to make one save in his first two games but has turned in a pair of clean sheets in his two wins, earning 10.6 and 12.4 FPTS. While Argentina won’t start Messi with the group secured, they should still leave enough of the defense to give Martinez a good chance to keep another clean sheet.

The 33-year-old keeper finished the club season with 125 saves, 13 clean sheets and 49 goals conceded in 44 appearances for Aston Villa in the EPL. He won the Golden Glove award in the last World Cup while helping Argentina to the win and also secured the 2022 The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper award.

Jordan is a favorable matchup, although they did get a goal against Algeria before being eliminated with a late loss. The starting lineup will be key to confirm, but Martinez has an opportunity to get through the Group Stage with three clean sheets if he keeps the ball out of the net on Saturday night.

Value

Benjamin Asare, Ghana, $4,000 — Asare replaced the injured Lawrence Ati Zigi ($3,900) at halftime of Ghana’s first game, and the 33-year-old has been up to the challenge, earning 7.1 FPTS for finishing that shutout and then earning another clean sheet by keeping England off the board on Tuesday.

He earned 11.3 FPTS in that goalless draw against England, recording three saves to get to double-digit FPTS despite not getting the win bonus. He gets an easier matchup against Croatia and will look to rise to the challenge andd secure his team’s passage as the runner-up with a victory.

Even though Asare isn’t as well-known on the international scene since he plays for the for Accra Hearts of Oak in the Ghana Premier League, he has proven he can make stops when called upon and flourish behind a solid Ghana defense.