Published 2026-06-03 12.15
Everyone has selected their 26-man squads for this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
Here you have another squad – with only players for a bargain price for the World Cup eleven.
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Goalkeepers:
Hernan Galindez, Ecuador, SEK 3.5 million
We’ll start with the obvious one in the list. Ecuador’s first keeper, when this squad is taken out, is already the most chosen goalkeeper in the entire game. And it is of course because SEK 3.5 million to get a goalkeeper in a team that cannot concede goals is too good not to take.
Gregor Kobel, Switzerland, SEK 4 million
Switzerland are early favorites in Group B with Bosnia, Canada and Qatar. And the defense is strong. Above all, they have an extremely skilled Gregor Kobel at the back between the posts. For obvious reasons also already chosen by many.
Mostafa Oufa Shobeir, Egypt, SEK 2.5 million
I will say that this is a small, small gamble. Because after all, it is not completely impossible to imagine that veteran Mohamed El Shenawy (SEK 3 million) will be the first choice when it comes down to it. But Al Ahly keeper Shobeir has been in the limelight lately. And it is not easy to find a starting goalkeeper for SEK 2.5 million. Especially not in a team that is actually extremely defensively polished.
Slopes:
Joel Ordonez, Ecuador, SEK 2.5 million
On the same track as with Galindez before. The Club Brügge defender is two regulars along with Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapie. Above all, he is cheaper than the two Champions League finalists.
Antonee Robinson, USA, SEK 2 million
One really wonders what the price setters were thinking when Fulham’s American full-back star landed in the same price category as a bench warmer in Curacao. But yes, Antonee Robinson, back from injury, actually only costs SEK 2 million. For a USA that is in an affordable group with a chance to win every game.
Luka Vuskovic, Croatia, SEK 2 million
Based on what Tottenham’s back super talent actually did on loan in Hamburg, it will probably be difficult for the Croatian national team captain Zlatko Dalic to actually select the 19-year-old. Now they face England in and of themselves in the premiere. So maybe it’s time to wait a round and sneak in the traveling back talent for later rounds. Bargain price, of course.
Stepan Chaloupek, Czech Republic, SEK 2m
Slavia Prague’s 23-year-old started in a Czech back three in both playoff matches that took the Czech Republic to the championship. It seems that the over 190-centimeter-tall Chaloupek is supposed to start in the WC as well. And in a Czech Republic that is strong on set pieces, you can definitely see Chaloupek poking a ball into a tangled situation inside a penalty area. A 2-million choice you will learn to stand out with if nothing else.
Nico O’Reilly, England, SEK 4 million
Lewis Hall was left at home. Luke Shaw as well. And shouldn’t (?) Thomas Tuchel actually start the lighthouse Dan Burn as left-back? You never know with Tuchel. But it should be an open door for Manchester City’s star shot to step into the English starting eleven this summer. Those who have followed City know what O’Reilly can do, if nothing else also offensively. SEK 4 million is a bargain price.
Ferdi Kadioglu, Turkey, SEK 3.5 million
Turkey is good, no doubt about that. And Ferdi Kadioglu is a left back with offensive upside. In short, a smart and affordable option if you believe in a long Turkish WC summer. Which there is every reason to believe.
Jesus Gallardo, Mexico, SEK 3 million
When we’re still stuck on left-backs, we can also take a look at the host country. Gallardo is dangerous for points, hyper-offensive and should be self-signed on the left in Javi Aguirre’s back line. For SEK 3m, he can, just like Kadioglu above, prove to be a wise choice for the eleven.
Jurrien Timber, Netherlands, SEK 2.5 million
I understand that the price tag has dropped on the Arsenal defender due to his injury situation. But Timber actually came back and played in the Champions League final. After all, he has an offensive upside in fixed situations where he was incredibly sharp for Arsenal during the start of the season. Dutch national team captain Ronald Koeman, who built this “Oranje” from the back, may well start Timber next to Van Dijk in the back four. If he starts, he is a bargain for SEK 2.5 million, of course.
Phillipp Mwene, Austria, SEK 2.5 million
Ordinary right back in a really good Austria. Absolutely, they will face Argentina in the group stage. But they will also face both Jordan (too defensively) and Algeria in the group. There is a chance of zeros. If you would rather have a centre-back, Spurs Austrian Kevin Danso also costs SEK 2.5m. Also he a good choice.
Midfielder:
Bruno Guimaraes, Brazil, SEK 4.5 million
Colleague Frida Fagerlund has already classified this as “an extreme bargain” as she poked Newcastle’s versatile midfielder into her World Cup XI. I’m ready to sign.
Kenan Yildiz, Turkey, SEK 4 million
Many sharp offensive midfielders/wingers stand as strikers in the WC eleven. Kenan Yildiz, perhaps Turkey’s sharpest offensive, decisive star, goes as a midfielder. And he does it for SEK 4 million. Juventus’ super talent could become one of the World Cup’s great treasures. Bargain price.
Antonio Nusa, Norway, SEK 3.5 million
Speaking of bargain prices. For those who saw Norway pulverize Sweden in the training match at Ullevål, surely noted that the Swedish defense had extreme problems with a Norwegian, blonde winger. The fact is that Antonio Nusa is extremely good in the national team in particular – even though it has faltered all the more in the club team environment. That X-factor, combined with heavy strikers at the top, gives good opportunities for points.
Alan Franco, Ecuador, SEK 2.5 million
No, I know Ecuador is basically just about defense. But if you REALLY want to stand out and go against the flow, you can also look at the price tags on the offensive pieces. If you have another million, Gonzalo Plata for SEK 3.5 million feels like the “safer” choice. But Franco will start with him. And who knows if it is at the World Cup that Ecuador’s weak offensive will finally start to pay dividends?
Jhon Arias, Colombia, SEK 3 million
Those of you who saw Jhon Arias in a Wolves shirt may now be thinking that I need a good man who will get pli on my World Cup eleven investments. But forget the failed Premier League stay. In Colombia’s national team, Arias, now in Palmeiras, has an important role to play. And he has it in an attack with players like Luis Diaz, Luis Suarez and James Rodriguez.
Gilberto Mora, Mexico, SEK 2.5 million
The 168-centimeter-tall 17-year-old is the WC’s youngest player. But he is also a player who could very well start for the host nation. Here, of course, I suggest that you wait until the premier starting eleven in the premier match and make your choice based on that (right-winger Roberto Alvarado is also available for SEK 2.5 million). But Mora can have his big, big international breakthrough this summer.
Alexander Bernhardsson, Sweden, SEK 2 million
The fact that this is written shortly after Sweden’s loss against Norway may affect the judgement. But surely it feels like Alexander Bernhardsson can actually be the first choice as right wingback in Sweden after Emil Holm’s injury? If so, you get an offensively enterprising right winger in a system that suits him for the minimum price of SEK 2m. It’s actually good. And it’s never a bad idea to have a little domestic in the eleven either.
Sebastian Tounekti, Tunisia, SEK 2 million
If you rather believe in a Swedish fiasco this summer, already in a premiere, Hammarby’s old dribbling winger actually costs only SEK 2 million. Now Tunisia are not exactly known for any attacking football. But the attacking football they stand for goes through tricky exteriors. Where Celtic’s Tounekti is one of them.
Tajon Buchanan, Canada, SEK 3.5 million
Villarreal’s windy winger is cut and cut for Jesse Marsch’s rock n’ roll football in Canada. With that in mind, SEK 3.5m is not a completely stupid price.
Strikers:
Matheus Cunha, Brazil, SEK 4.5 million
Vini Junior, Raphinha and Neymar in all glory. Another forward who will actually start, if it is at the front or as a “tie” is Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha. SEK 4.5 million for a starting offensive player in Brazil? Sold.
Giuliano Simeone, Argentina, SEK 4 million
Do I think Atlético Madrid’s energetic winger will actually make a debut for Argentina? No, right now I don’t. But it is not impossible. However, I think it is even more likely that Simeone will be able to force his way into national team captain Scaloni’s starting eleven with his will to run, skill and youthful spirit. Could turn out to be a super find.
Luis Suarez, Colombia, SEK 4.5 million
Viktor Gyökeres’ replacement at Sporting Club poured in goals in Gyökeres’ fashion in the Portuguese league last season. As soon as there is even a hint of a goal chance, the one-tier forward is there and stabs. In an offensively free Colombia, he may well be right once or twice.
Ayoub El Kaabi, Morocco, SEK 3.5 million
Morocco is one of Africa’s best teams and, at least according to the Confederation of African Football, reigning Afcon champions. Of course, you can stick an Ismael Saibari (SEK 3.5 million) in the midfield or go for a decisive Abde Ezzalzouli (SEK 3 million) in the attack instead. But El Kaabi is said to be the starting nine. He knows where the goal is. And for SEK 3.5 million, he feels like…just that, a bargain.
Daizen Maeda, Japan, SEK 2.5 million
Of course, I couldn’t avoid bringing one of my compatriots here. I’m far from certain that Celtic’s title hero will actually start in any of the left wing positions given the competition and given how difficult the Japanese eleven under Hajime Moriyasu actually is (who knows, he might rotate already in the premiere). Above all, I don’t think that Daizen Maeda will start as a forward. But he can score if he gets the chance. He is fast as few. And he actually only costs SEK 2.5 million.
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