Whether in or out of form currently, each player knows that if they're picked to go on the plane for their respective countries and then put in a performance to rival James Rodriguez's for Colombia back in 2014, that a big payday could be just around the corner.
Eyes of the planet on World Cup 2026
Players coming to the end of their careers and who want one last hurrah, those in their prime who are looking to cash in with more lucrative contract terms, or those that are coming the to end of their current deals and can speak to clubs elsewhere... all will undoubtedly be laser focused on the showpiece footballing tournament that will have the eyes of the planet upon it.
Given that the World Cup this year is in the USA too, sometime USMNT vice-captain, Christian Pulisic is likely to be a player of huge interest.
The 27-year-old has been a revelation at AC Milan, whom he joined from Chelsea at the start of the 2023/24 Serie A campaign.
Indeed, by mid-January this year, eight goals in 14 league appearances to that point meant a goal every 98.3 minutes was an even better return than Erling Haaland's goal every 101.5 minutes.
42 goals and 22 assists in 121 games
Across his time with the Italian giants, the American has plundered 42 goals and provided 22 assists in 121 games in all competitions, which is a fine return for a player who is ostensibly utilised as a winger or a Number 10.
At 27 years of age, he is, theoretically, coming into his footballing prime, and so it's little surprise to understand that the Premier League vultures are already starting to circle with a view to obtaining his services from the start of the 2026/27 season.
Initial reports suggest that all of Man Utd, Tottenham and Arsenal are interested in bringing him back to the English top-flight, and whilst Milan themselves haven't delivered an outright snub to the thought of losing one of their talismen, it appears that the Rossoneri have made it clear that Pulisic wouldn't be available for anything less than €70-€80m.
Contract winding down
Such a significant outlay needs to be carefully considered, but given his contract with the Italian giants is up in summer 2027, it's entirely possible that interested parties would look to negotiate that figure down.
Milan clearly wouldn't want to lose Pulisic a year later for nothing, but nor are their finances in as poor a state as a few years ago, so a game of brinksmanship over any potential transfer is likely to result.
Assuming the Rossoneri board dig their heels in, what else could the player offer that would go some way towards justifying the spend on him?
Verstality is very underrated in today's game; however, Pulisic seamlessly delivers whether in a 3-5-2, 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 system.
Versatile and hard-working
His ability to find space between the lines has become a real feature of his game, and has given him time to either pick the right pass consistently, or drive forward to get at his direct opponent.
By drawing players to him, it's allowed the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Alexis Saelemaekers and others to exploit any space that's then left behind the back four.
With Pulisic's pass completion almost exclusively in the 80% range since his move to the San Siro, he has added a 'De Bruyne-esque' element to his game, which has helped the Rossoneri rise up the Serie A table this season in pursuit of neighbours Internazionale.
His shot accuracy has never dipped below 60% during his time in Italy, and his shot conversion has steadily improved to a high of 40%, adding further positive elements to his offering.
295 ball recoveries and the winning of almost half of the 921 one-on-ones contested also shed some light on a part of his game that is often overlooked. Indeed, it can't really be denied that Pulisic has the full package.
A player willing to get his foot in and do the dirty work when it's required, whilst also having an all-round skill set that's perfectly complementary to his attacking colleagues... and at just the right age with the required experience at the top level in Europe.
If nothing has been agreed before the World Cup, it won't be a surprise for the 27-year-old to have his pick of clubs to join thereafter.
As to whether that may be back in London, a city he knows well in Manchester to help the continuing revival of a once-great club, or elsewhere, will only be found out in due course.
