The World Cup has always been a showcase for talent, and the 2026 edition was no different.
Players from around the globe rocked up in North America, with some looking to put elite clubs on alert and others aiming to earn their big break at the highest level. Even veteran players can use the World Cup as a shop window, proving they still have what it takes to cut it with the very best.
With that in mind, here are 12 2026 World Cup stars who could be on the move off the back of this summer’s tournament.
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Bradley Barcola
- Country: France
- Position: Winger
- Current club: PSG
Bradley Barcola was a key part of that much-feared France forward line this summer. He featured in all eight matches, starting four, and helped himself to three goals and an assist. Only Michael Olise (7), Ousmane Dembele (8) and Kylian Mbappe (14) registered more direct goal involvements for Les Bleus.
That comes off the back of a successful club season for Barcola, who hit 13 goals and eight assists across all competitions for double winners Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Barcola is not a nailed-on starter in Paris, facing stiff competition from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue. The 23-year-old will want to change that sooner rather than later. And he must surely have his head turned by links to Liverpool, who are on the hunt for a Mohamed Salah replacement. The Egyptian departed Anfield at the end of last season and has been subject to a recent offer from Besiktas. Arsenal have also been whispered as a potential destination.
Ayyoub Bouaddi
- Country: Morocco
- Position: Central midfielder
- Current club: Lille
Ayyoub Bouaddi pulled the strings for Morocco this summer, with his standout performance coming in the 1-1 draw against Brazil. He completed all but six of his 66 passes and mopped up with four tackles. This was all against elite established stars like Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes.
His level of maturity made it easy to forget that Bouaddi is just 18 years old, but he is, indeed, the second-youngest player ever to feature in a World Cup quarter-final, behind only Pele.
Ligue 1 side Lille will be expecting a serious battle to keep their teenage sensation around this summer. Chelsea are heavily linked with Bouaddi’s signature after selling fellow midfielder Andrey Santos to Manchester United. The likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, PSG, Real Madrid and Barcelona have also been mentioned.
Yan Diomande
- Country: Ivory Coast
- Position: Winger
- Current club: RB Leipzig
Yan Diomande was already drawing serious transfer speculation before the World Cup, following a 13-goal, nine-assist season for RB Leipzig. But while he only managed one assist in four games at the tournament, he certainly caught the eye. The teenager averaged 2.99 chances created and 2.72 successful take-ons per 90 minutes.
Liverpool have already made a push for Diomande this summer but failed to meet Leipzig’s £100m demands. The 19-year-old still looks destined to leave Germany this summer, with Man Utd and PSG heavily linked. The player is understood to be favouring the latter, which could open the door for Liverpool to swoop for Barcola.
Gilberto Mora
- Country: Mexico
- Position: Attacking midfielder
- Current club: Tijuana
Gilberto Mora was certainly a wildcard inclusion in Mexico‘s World Cup squad. He entered the tournament with just 53 club appearances for Tijuana under his belt. Now, however, he’s the sixth-youngest player ever to appear in the competition, the youngest-ever Mexican and the youngest player at the 2026 edition.
Mora certainly showed plenty of flashes of his talent. And, now, the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Arsenal are being linked with his signature.
Regardless of what happens, Mora will remain with Tijuana until he’s 18 due to Fifa regulations. However, his impact at the World Cup could have his next step signed and sealed in advance.
Zion Suzuki
- Country: Japan
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Current club: Parma
Japan came so close to dumping Brazil out in the last-32, before succumbing to a second-half comeback. But they still departed North America with plenty of credit in the bank. Not least thanks to the efforts of goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
The Parma shot-stopper averaged 3.0 saves and 1.75 high claims per 90, with his standout showing coming in the 1-1 draw with Sweden that secured second-place in Group F. He made four saves, four punches and one high claim in the crucial result.
Suzuki’s form this summer was an extension of his excellent performances for Parma over the last couple of years, and now, Newcastle United and Leeds United are thought to be monitoring him.
Djed Spence
- Country: England
- Position: Full-back
- Current club: Tottenham
Djed Spence was one of Thomas Tuchel’s most scrutinised call-ups this summer. That scrutiny hit fever pitch as England scraped past DR Congo in the last-32. The Tottenham Hotspur man came under heavy fire for his performance.
However, you have to give huge credit to Spence, who completely turned his tournament around with sensational performances against Mexico, Norway and Argentina, as well as France in the third-place playoff.
Despite being versatile and fast, Spence struggles to command a starting spot when Tottenham are at full strength. However, his showings for the Three Lions this summer have put him on the radar of multiple clubs, including Liverpool, Inter Milan and Everton.
John Stones
- Country: England
- Position: Centre-back
- Current club: Free agent
Centre-back John Stones was another eyebrow-raising inclusion for England this summer. He was the first-ever free agent to feature for the Three Lions at a major tournament — released by Man City having made just nine Premier League appearances for them last season.
However, Stones called upon his considerable experience and lasting quality to provide serious composure at the heart of the England defence and has more than proven his capability to continue on at the highest level.
Arsenal have been linked with Stones as they monitor the fitness of William Saliba, while the 32-year-old is being looked at by other elite clubs such as Inter, Juventus and Bayern Munich. Stones is also linked with a host of sides where he’d be a nailed-on starter, including Everton and Marseille.
Vozinha
- Country: Cape Verde
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Current club: Free agent
Cape Verde were the story of this World Cup, with the debutants going unbeaten in a group containing Spain and Uruguay, before twice coming from behind and taking Argentina to extra time.
If Cape Verde are the story of the World Cup, then Vozinha was the main protagonist. The 40-year-old goalkeeper entered the World Cup without a club, then became the oldest-ever stopper to keep a clean sheet in the tournament against Spain, making seven saves to keep the eventual winners out.
Vozinha averaged 4.15 saves throughout the tournament, but the biggest metric from this World Cup is his insane growth on social media, going from 37,000 followers to a whopping 29.4 million and counting.
Inter Miami were briefly linked with the goalkeeping sensation, while now, it looks like he’s destined to join Chilean giants and former Copa Libertadores champions Colo-Colo.
Rayan
- Country: Brazil
- Position: Winger
- Current club: Bournemouth
Rayan only joined Bournemouth from Vasco in January, but did enough during his few months in the Premier League — five goals and two assists in 15 appearances — to convince Carlo Ancelotti to call him up.
Even though they’re not at their peak, Brazil still brought some massive names to this tournament, including Vinicius Jr, Neymar, Matheus Cunha and Gabriel Martinelli.
However, it was the 19-year-old Rayan who commanded a starting spot, providing an assist against Scotland, while averaging 3.11 chances created per 90 and 85.7% take-on success.
Liverpool look to be at the front of the queue after hiring Rayan’s Bournemouth manager, Andoni Iraola, to replace Arne Slot.
Former England striker and BBC pundit Alan Shearer has given his seal of approval, saying: “Rayan obviously worked with Iraola last year and he’s clearly going on to big things. That would be a big one for Liverpool.”
Brian Gutierrez
- Country: Mexico
- Position: Central midfielder
- Current club: Chivas
Just over seven months ago, Brian Gutierrez was a Chicago Fire player and uncapped for Mexico, having featured in two friendlies for the United States under Mauricio Pochettino. Now, he’s a key player for El Tri, starting their first two group games and winning a penalty from Harry Kane against England in the last-16.
Gutierrez plays in a deeper role for Chivas than he did in Chicago, so his direct goal involvements have taken a hit. However, he still averaged 2.06 chances created, 1.27 successful dribbles and 47.1 successful passes per 90 in the recent Liga MX Clausura.
Several Ligue 1 clubs have been linked with the 23-year-old Gutierrez, while there are now whispers that multiple Bundesliga sides admire his midfield control.
Folarin Balogun
- Country: United States
- Position: Striker
- Current club: Monaco
You have to feel for Folarin Balogun, who was harshly sent off in the last 32 against Bosnia-Herzegovina and then put under the ultimate microscope against Belgium due to matters out of his control.
Focusing strictly on the football, the former Arsenal striker enjoyed a strong World Cup, scoring three goals and providing pace and movement for the United States.
After a couple of average seasons, Balogun found his feet at Monaco last season, scoring 19 goals across all competitions, including five in the Champions League.
PSG are being linked with the 25-year-old, while a return to the Premier League also looks likely, with the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham thought to be interested.
Elijah Just
- Country: New Zealand
- Position: Winger
- Current club: Motherwell
New Zealand came about as close as they ever have to reaching the knockout rounds so far, twice throwing away the lead against Iran to draw 2-2, before surrendering another 1-0 advantage to lose 3-1 against Egypt. However, that, coupled with a 5-1 thrashing to Belgium, saw them exit bottom of Group G.
However, one All White who left with his reputation significantly enhanced was Elijah Just. The 26-year-old winger netted three goals in total, registering a brace against Iran before bagging a late consolation against eventual quarter-finalists Belgium. The list of players to score more goals than Just at the tournament is short and absolutely stacked: Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembele, Harry Kane, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ismaila Sarr, Vinicius Jr, Julian Quinones.
Just notched seven goals and seven assists in 35 Scottish Premiership appearances last season as Motherwell briefly flirted with the title race, with only seven players managing more direct goal involvements — five of whom played for one of the top three.
All of that has combined to make the 47-time international a wanted man, with Swansea City seemingly on the verge of bringing Just to the Championship.