The Scout assesses how the FIFA World Cup 2022 has impacted the most-popular players in Fantasy Premier League during the current unlimited free transfers period.
Goalkeepers
The most-popular goalkeeper in Fantasy, Leicester City’s Danny Ward (£4.1m), has continued to grow in ownership over the season break.
The Foxes’ No 1 is the most-bought stopper in the current period, earning 246,000 new owners.
Although he was part of the Wales squad in the FIFA World Cup 2022, Ward started only one of their three matches, the 3-0 defeat against England on 29 November.
Most popular goalkeepers in Fantasy
| Ward | Pope | Alisson | Ederson | |
| Fantasy ownership | 28.6% | 21.6% | 16.0% | 13.8% |
| World Cup mins | 94 | 0 | 380 | 90 |
| Last World Cup app | 29/11 | - | 9/12 | 2/12 |
Ward was the top form ‘keeper heading into the season break, with 52 points in his final eight fixtures.
Pairing him with his deputy Daniel Iversen (£3.9m), at a cost of only £8.0m, looks an absolute bargain.
Pope in front
Newcastle United’s Nick Pope (£5.3m), the top-scoring goalkeeper in Fantasy, has amassed more than 180,000 transfers in across the break.
He was named in the England squad, but failed to feature in any of their five outings.
FPL fixture analysis: Newcastle primed for more success
Pope now looks well-placed to maintain his spot at the top of the goalkeeper standings.
According to the Fixture Difficulty ratings (FDR), five of Newcastle’s next seven matches score just two.
Alisson well rested
Brazil’s elimination at the quarter-final stages is good news for owners of Liverpool’s Alisson (£5.5m), as well as Manchester City’s Ederson (£5.4m).
Alisson was Brazil’s favoured goalkeeper, playing four of their five matches.
Nonetheless, as his last appearance was on 9 December, he will have had more than two weeks' rest before the season resumes on Boxing Day.
Finally, two of the 'keepers among the World Cup semi-finalists are from Premier League clubs.
However, each of the players concerned, Argentina and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez (£4.9m) and Hugo Lloris (£5.5m) of France and Tottenham Hotspur, are low-owned in Fantasy and are found in no more than five per cent of squads.
Also in this series
Part 2: Key defenders return with fresh legs
Part 3: Managers recruit rested midfielders
Part 4: Nunez gaining popularity among forwards