Unlimited transfers helped World Cup Fantasy managers set up their teams for the round of 32 — and the transfer strategy doesn’t change there.We now have a generous number of transfers between each stage of the knockouts, and the number of players permitted for each country increases too.So, how should we be structuring our transfers for the round of 16 (deadline July 4 at 6pm UK time/1pm ET) and beyond? And who are the key players to target?Get free access to the most comprehensive World Cup coverage in The Athletic appTransfers 101In the round of 32, Fantasy managers were allowed a maximum of three players per country, similar to the rules we see in Fantasy Premier League. However, from the round of 16 onwards, that number increases, with a maximum of four players per country for the round of 16.That increases to five for the quarter-finals, six for the semi-finals and eight for the final, which also includes the third-place play-off.The number of free transfers available for each round also increases, but crucially, these cannot be rolled over; use them or lose them. We have four free transfers ahead of the round of 16 and quarter-finals, plus five free transfers for the semi-finals and six for the final.This will allow managers to transfer out players who have been knocked out in the first instance, before targeting the best fixtures for each round.Chip strategyMost managers opted to play the Wildcard ahead of the third round of the group stage, knowing that transfers between the knockout rounds were generous.In addition, plenty used the Qualification Booster for the round of 32, given the potential one-sided match-ups at that stage of the competition. We learned that the Qualification Booster wouldn’t count towards captaincy points and that the same applies to other chips.This leaves the Clean Sheet Booster still to play, with the round of 16 the obvious candidate, as the competition remains open with varying quality of remaining sides. The Clean Sheet booster means that goalkeepers, defenders and midfielders wouldn’t lose their clean sheet points if they concede just one goal.With that in mind, defensive transfers will be increasingly important going into the round of 16.Attacking targetsWe already have some fixtures confirmed for the round of 16. Morocco will be favourites when they take on hosts Canada in the opening game of this round.Ismael Saibari ($6.8m) returned to his role out of position as a striker, who could easily have notched a goal and a couple of assists in the defeat of the Netherlands.Ismael Saibari scored from the penalty spot to send Morocco into the last 16 (Carl Recine/Getty Images)Norway and England both have tough draws going into the round of 16, facing Brazil and Mexico respectively, but their premiums Erling Haaland ($10.5m) and Harry Kane ($10.5m) have been so consistent with five goals apiece, central to the Golden Boot race.It feels paramount to own one of them, with three premiums now the template. Kane feels like a must-have at this stage in the competition, with Haaland unlikely to disrupt that, with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi also boasting six goals in the tournament at the time of writing.Jude Bellingham ($8.3m) is also an option from the England attack, in terms of guaranteed minutes and potential, if you want to back England to beat Mexico. He has two goals and one assist in the tournament so far.France are one of the standout sides from the knockout stages to date. They take on Paraguay on Saturday, with Kylian Mbappe ($10.5m) essential on six goals and two assists from 21 shots on goal. Michael Olise ($9.5m) is another key pick, creating everything for this side, with this pair playing significant minutes under Didier Deschamps.There’s been rotation on the left wing, but the triple-up on the France attack is now very tempting with Ousmane Dembele ($10m), who has amassed three goals and two assists in the tournament to date.Both midfielders are eligible for clean sheet points, with this side keeping two clean sheets and not conceding more than one goal per game in the competition.What is your first World Cup memory?Defensive TargetsIdentifying the starters is the challenge in the France defence, particularly at left-back, where Lucas Digne ($5.0m) and Theo Hernandez ($5.0m) each have two starts. Getting the call right would earn you a scouting bonus over the other defensive picks.Plenty of managers will be forced into a defensive transfer, especially with Germany and the Netherlands’ elimination from the tournament. Joshua Kimmich, Denzel Dumfries and Virgil van Dijk were among the most-owned defenders in the game, dominating that premium price bracket.Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi ($6.0m) will be among the leading replacements. He has one goal, one assist and one clean sheet to show from the tournament so far, with three shots in the win against the Netherlands. Clean sheet potential will be high.When it comes to defensive targets, we must note that Mexico have failed to concede a goal in this competition and will have home advantage once again in a hostile Azteca on Sunday night. They have lost just twice there in 89 years.Jorge Sanchez ($4.0m) is their highest-scoring defender, starting all of their last three games, with one assist in that time. He’s also eligible for a scouting bonus, in 3.4 per cent of teams.I also like the look of U.S. for their round-of-16 fixture against Belgium, particularly for clean-sheet potential, with Mauricio Pochettino’s two clean sheets already in this tournament, against Australia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.Sergino Dest ($4.3m) is the highest-scoring defender in the game at the time of writing, continuing to play high and advanced in his wing-back role, with two assists from three starts.We may see a slightly more conservative and defensive approach from the U.S. in this game, with Folarin Balogun ($6m) now suspended. The Clean Sheet booster could help support a double up in defence, with Matt Freese ($4.2m) in goal eligible for scouting bonus too, in 3.9% of teams.