Dream team power-ups: how to build a 4-3-3 that pays you every day
The new dream team rules explained: 8 power-ups, the captain who scores double, and how to build a clever team that beats one picked only by rating.
Your dream team is the most underrated feature in HeyFootball. Set it up once and it earns you points and coins every single day. Since the power-ups update it's also a proper puzzle: the highest-rated eleven is often not the best team. Here's how it all works and how to build a winner.
How dream team points work
You pick 11 players you own, one for every position of a 4-3-3. Each day, every player scores:
- his rating, plus or minus 5 (a random number that's the same for everyone that day),
- plus his power-up bonus,
- and your captain scores double.
You also get coins worth half of your team's points every day, so a smarter team means more coins.
The 7 power-ups
Every card has one power-up, shown on the card in Cards, in packs and on the dream team pitch:
| Power-up | What it does |
|---|---|
| 🤝 Club link | +5 for each teammate from the same club (max +25) |
| 🌍 Nation link | +5 for each teammate from the same country (max +25) |
| 👑 Leader | doubles the power-up bonus of the players right next to him on the pitch (not other Leaders) |
| 🎲 Wildcard | scores between −7 and +15 around his rating instead of −5 to +5 |
| 🧱 Rock | +4 for each defender or goalkeeper in your team from his club or country (max +10) |
| 🎯 Finisher | +5 for each attacker in your team from his club or country (max +8) |
| 🌟 Wonderkid | +4 for every day you've used him in your dream team, up to +40 (every Rising Stars player has it) |
Plus the ©️ Captain: pick one player in your team and he scores double.
The eleven positions
| Line | Positions | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Defence & goal | GK · RB · CB · CB · LB | 🧱 Rock counts the players in this line |
| Midfield | CDM · CM · CAM | 👑 Leader doubles his neighbours |
| Attack | RW · ST (or CF) · LW | 🎯 Finisher counts the players in this line |
Not sure what a CDM is? Our football glossary explains every position.
How to build a clever team
1. Rocks love a back line from one club or country
A 🧱 Rock gets +2 for every defender or goalkeeper in your team from his club or country, and he can play anywhere. A Benfica midfielder with Rock behind three Benfica or Portuguese defenders scores +10 a day (the maximum). The same Rock behind a mixed defence might get nothing, so pick your defence around him.
2. Build links
Club link and Nation link players get +5 for every teammate who shares their club or country, up to +25. Five players from the same club, each with 🤝 Club link, add up fast. The United pack is perfect for this, since every card in it is a Manchester United player. See our pack guide.
3. Put your Leader between your best bonuses
A 👑 Leader doubles the power-up bonus of the players right next to him: a centre-back sits next to the goalkeeper, the other centre-back and his full-back, and a central midfielder sits between the CDM and the CAM. Put him next to your Club and Nation links and watch them double. Leaders don't boost each other, so one well-placed Leader beats two side by side.
4. Choose your captain carefully
The captain doubles everything, rating and bonus. The best captain is usually the player with the highest rating plus bonus, not just the highest rating. A well-linked player or a Wonderkid you've used for a while is often a great choice.
5. Wildcards are a gamble, and Wonderkids grow
A 🎲 Wildcard averages about 4 more than a normal player, but some days he'll score 7 under his rating. A 🌟 Wonderkid gets +4 for every day you keep him in your team, up to +40, so pick your Rising Stars early and stick with them. Great if you like risk, but don't make him your only star.
6. Strike partnerships for Finishers
A 🎯 Finisher gets +4 for every attacker in your team from his club or country, up to +8. Two Portuguese wingers next to a Portuguese Finisher is the dream.
7. Check expected, max and min per day
Above the pitch you'll see what your team should score on an average day, a lucky day and an unlucky day. It counts all the links, Leaders and your captain, so try a few line-ups and watch the numbers.
A sample upgrade path
- Week 1: fill all 11 slots with what you have, and pick a captain.
- Week 2: look for Rocks and Finishers, and build your defence and attack around their clubs and countries. Use daily coins and daily rewards on packs.
- Week 3 and beyond: build a club or nation core with Club and Nation links, then trade doubles with friends for the players you're missing.
Same power-ups in card battles
In ⚔️ card battles (Cards → Battles) you pick 3 cards to fight a friend's 3, and in ⚡ live battles you pick 5 and play them one by one against a friend who's online. Each card scores just like in the dream team: rating ±5 plus its power-up. Club link, Nation link, Rock and Finisher work between your cards, and a Leader doubles the cards picked just before and after him, so the order you pick in matters.
Dream team leaderboard
Your total dream team points add up every day, and the best managers appear on the dream team leaderboard in Cards. The earlier you build a clever team, the bigger your total grows.
Build your team now
Power-ups, a captain, and free coins every day.