Playing a short tournament like World Cup Fantasy is very different from a normal league season because there is no time to wait for players to find their form.
Every game matters, and fantasy managers need their expensive players to deliver points straight away. If you spend a lot of money on popular stars who fail to perform, your rank can drop quickly before the tournament really gets underway.
Unfortunately, that is exactly what has happened in the opening matches. Some of the most popular and
expensive fantasy picks have failed to live up to expectations, leaving managers disappointed with low scores and tough choices.
Whether through poor performances, difficult opponents, or missed chances, these players have become some of the biggest fantasy disappointments of the tournament so far. Here are five major World Cup Fantasy assets that are hugely disappointing managers:
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
Kevin De Bruyne has been one of the biggest fantasy disappointments of the 2026 World Cup so far after a quiet start to the tournament.
The former Manchester City star is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in world football, but he has struggled to make his usual impact for Belgium.
The creative passes and quality moments that fans are used to seeing from him have been missing, and he has looked below his normal standards.
In Belgium’s matches against Egypt and Iran, De Bruyne failed to score or assist and was given low ratings in both games.
For a player of his quality, especially against teams many expected Belgium to beat, that is a disappointing return and well below the standards fans have come to expect from him.
He did eventually get his goal against New Zealand before being subbed off as Belgium secured a 5-1 win.
Harry Kane (England)
Coming into the tournament, Kane was one of the most popular picks in World Cup Fantasy. Many managers expected the England captain to be a safe captaincy choice and a reliable source of goals in a strong England team.
So far, things have not gone as planned. England have struggled to create chances, and Kane has often been left without the service he needs to make an impact.
The biggest frustration came in the 0-0 draw against Ghana, where many managers who backed him, including those who used their 12th Man chip on him, were left without any attacking returns.
For a player who takes up a premium forward spot, Kane’s lack of goals and fantasy points has been a major disappointment.
With the tournament moving on, managers will be hoping England can improve and give their captain more opportunities to deliver.
Federico Valverde (Uruguay)
Federico Valverde came into the 2026 World Cup with high expectations after another strong season for Real Madrid, where he registered 20 goal contributions.
As Uruguay’s captain and one of their key players, many expected him to be the driving force in midfield.
So far, that has not happened. Uruguay have managed just two points from draws against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, and Valverde has struggled to make a real impact.
He was played out wide against Saudi Arabia and returned to midfield against Cape Verde, but he has still failed to influence games in the way fans are used to seeing.
Lautaro Martínez (Argentina)
Argentina have made a perfect start to the 2026 World Cup, winning their opening two matches, while Lionel Messi has stolen the headlines with his record-breaking performances.
However, Lautaro Martínez has quietly been one of the tournament’s biggest disappointments so far.
The Inter Milan striker came into the World Cup with high expectations and was expected to be one of Argentina’s main goal threats.
While he did win the penalty that Messi missed against Austria, his overall performances have been disappointing. He has struggled to make a real impact and has not looked as sharp in front of goal as fans are used to seeing.
As Argentina’s campaign continues, they cannot depend on Messi alone to score the goals. Other players will need to step up, and Martínez is one of them.
So far, he has not shown the level expected of one of Europe’s top strikers, and fantasy managers will be hoping he can find his best form in the matches ahead.
Which player has been the biggest fantasy disappointment of the 2026 World Cup so far, and do you think they can turn things around before the knockout stage? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
