2026 World Cup: Three Out-of-Contract Stars Looking to Put Themselves in the Shop Window This Summer

FT Desk

• 22 Feb 2026 03:01 GMT

News

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching, and for some, the tournament will represent the perfect opportunity to put themselves in the shop window for a big-money transfer. Spanish giants Real Madrid are one team in particular that has been known to swoop for superstars after their impressive displays on the grandest stage. Both Mesut Ozil and James Rodriguez were signed after blistering displays in 2010 and 2014, respectively, and they could well be in the headlines once again this summer.

That's because the mighty Los Blancos are rumoured to be making a move for Liverpool's French international defender Ibrahima Konate. The former RB Leipzig man is out of contract at Anfield in the summer, meaning by the time Les Bleus' tournament gets underway on June 16th against Senegal, he will have just 14 days remaining at Merseyside, should he not pen an extension before. And when he pulls on that France shirt in North America, he will do so with the weight of expectation being thrown at him by the bookies.

The popular Lucky Rebel makes Didier Deschamps' side a 7/1 third-favourite to leave MetLife Stadium with the trophy on July 19th. If they were to live up to the billing, it would make three straight World Cup final appearances for France, and potentially their second tournament win in three instalments. Konate will be imperative to any success his side will have, playing a crucial role in the heart of the defence, alongside Arsenal's William Saliba.

But the 26-year-old Frenchman isn't the only out-of-contract star headed for the World Cup this summer. And while his anticipated move to Real Madrid may well be one of football's worst-kept secrets at the moment, some have no idea who their next team may be. So, with that being said, let's take a look at three out-of-contract stars who are looking to put themselves in the shop window at this summer's World Cup.

Weston McKennie

The current Juventus side is one of the weakest in recent memory. The Bianconeri currently sit way down in fifth place in Serie A, some 18 points behind runaway league leaders Inter Milan. But for all the misery around Turin, American midfielder Weston McKennie has been one of the few glimmers of hope. The former Leeds United loanee has four goals and four assists since early January, his best run of form since he initially headed to the Allianz Stadium from Schalke back in the summer of 2020.

His recent displays have seen manager Luciano Spalletti deploy the American in several positions, including central midfield, right wing, and most recently as a striker. However, for all his brilliance, he is out of contract in the summer, and there is no guarantee that he will pen a new deal to remain in Turin.

If that doesn't happen, then McKennie will be looking to position himself for a blockbuster free transfer, and he will have the perfect opportunity as he leads the co-hosting USA through the tournament. The 27-year-old is the current jewel in the US soccer crown, and expectations are high for a deep tournament run. If the Stars and Stripes talisman can score goals and provide assists as he leads his country to the quarter-finals, or perhaps even better, no end of potential suitors will be lining up to secure his services, offering huge wages in the process.

John Stones

John Stones has been regarded as one of the best defenders in the Premier League for some time now. The Englishman has won six league titles with Manchester City and the UEFA Champions League. He was a stalwart at the heart of England's defence in the run to each of the last two European Championship finals, and he remains as important as ever under new manager Thomas Tuchel.

But at 31 years of age and after an injury-hit couple of years, Pep Guardiola is expected to allow his long-serving centre back to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer. As such, the World Cup suddenly becomes an audition for the former Barnsley youngster to prove that he still has the ability to be a world-class central defender.

Starting at the heart of a Three Lions defence that is currently considered the second-favourite to win the tournament, he is already under pressure to deliver. If he does, don't be surprised if some of Europe's biggest names make their move in a bid to add an experienced centre back to their squad.

Leon Goretzka

German midfielder Leon Goretzka has already informed his current club Bayern Munich that he will be leaving in the summer. He is widely expected to make a move to Barcelona, but nothing is yet set in stone. If Germany stumbles throughout the current World Cup as they have in the last two, the Blaugrana may well pull out of any prospective deal.

Die Mannschaft have suffered shocking group stage exits at the end of the last two World Cups, with defeats to Mexico and South Korea sending them packing in 2018, while a 2-1 stunner to Japan ended their hopes four years later. For Goretzka, he needs to power the German midfield to a deep tournament run, just as he did at Euro 2024. Failure to do that could result in a reunion with former manager Hansi Flick in Catalonia falling apart.