Every four years, football’s global showpiece provides the perfect platform for players to boost their career trajectory and attract some of the world’s biggest clubs.
From James Rodriguez’s high-profile move to Real Madrid in 2014 to Enzo Fernandez’s £107 million switch to Chelsea in 2023, many players have secured career-defining transfers on the back of impressive performances on the World Cup stage.
The 2026 edition was no different, and here at Flashscore, we’ve picked out five World Cup stars who could be on the move ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Ayyoub Bouaddi
Bouaddi underlined his status as one of the most promising young players in Europe with a terrific tournament in the heart of Morocco’s midfield.
The 18-year-old immediately caught the eye with a dominant showing against Brazil’s Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes in the Atlas Lions’ Group C opener, and he largely maintained that level as his side reached the quarter-finals.
Having already racked up 96 appearances for Lille at club level, Bouaddi certainly looks to be a top midfielder in waiting, with his accurate passing and strong press resistance a couple of leading qualities.
Bouaddi’s World Cup exploits have reportedly raised his value to around £100m, as Les Dogues prepare to fend off plenty of offers in the coming months.
However, with the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid all among the leading suitors, Bouaddi could well be lining up for a European heavyweight before too long.
Djed Spence
Spence emerged as an unlikely hero for England in their run to the last four, with the versatile defender starring on both the right and left flanks during the tournament.
Questions were asked when the 25-year-old was named in Thomas Tuchel’s squad at the expense of Trent Alexander-Arnold, but the Tottenham man stepped up to the plate to completely justify his inclusion.
While injuries and a suspension to Jarell Quansah placed greater responsibility on the shoulders of Spence in the knockouts, he showed no signs of being overawed by the occasion, producing excellent all-round displays against Norway and Argentina - including that tackle on Giuliano Simeone.
However, with Spurs well-stocked in defence, including World Cup winner Pedro Porro at right-back, Roberto De Zerbi could be prepared to cash in on Spence this summer.
The former Nottingham Forest defender, who will be keen for first-team action himself, is attracting interest from Liverpool, Everton and Inter Milan, according to reports.
Orlando Gill
Little was known of Paraguay goalkeeper Gill ahead of the tournament, with the 26-year-old having spent the last two seasons playing for San Lorenzo in Argentina’s Primera Division.
However, after a disappointing opening defeat to co-hosts USA in Group D, Gill rose to prominence for his country, keeping successive clean sheets against Turkey and Australia to seal Paraguay’s spot in the knockouts.
Gill’s stock continued to rise in the last 32, with the keeper saving penalties from Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade, as Los Guaranies secured a historic victory over four-time former champions Germany.
The San Lorenzo man then made another four saves in Paraguay’s narrow 1-0 defeat to France in the last 16, taking his tally for the tournament up to 23 and an impressive save percentage of 78.57%.
That deservedly earned Gill a spot in our World Cup Team of the Tournament - check out the full side here!
Manchester United are reportedly leading the race to sign the 26-year-old, with Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest among the sides also interested in his signature.
Manu Kone
Despite starting the World Cup as a back-up option to Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot, Kone ended the tournament as a key figure in the French midfield.
The Roma man provided a combative presence for Didier Deschamps’ side, making as many as 25 ball recoveries across his five appearances, facilitating the likes of Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe to wreak havoc in the final third.
Kone’s standout displays against Paraguay and Morocco in the knockouts made his omission from the starting line-up against Spain in the semi-finals all the more baffling - a decision that certainly backfired for Les Bleus as they exited the tournament.
The 25-year-old has played 82 times for Roma across the last two seasons, and is unsurprisingly being tipped for a high-profile move following his impact at the World Cup.
Arsenal and Manchester United have already been heavily linked with the Frenchman, while there’s also strong Saudi interest from Al Hilal and Al Ahli.
Julian Quinones
Mexico forward Quinones made an immediate impression at the World Cup, scoring the opening goal of the tournament against South Africa at a raucous Azteca Stadium.
The 29-year-old, who currently plies his trade for Al Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League, netted a further three times for the El Tri during their run to the last 16, as well as registering an assist for good measure.
Quinones’ all-round quality was clear to see in each of Mexico’s five matches, with his emphatic finish against Ecuador in the last 32 a particular highlight.
Having bagged 37 goals in just 35 games across all competitions in the 2025/26 season, interest will certainly be high in the forward this summer.
While Quinones has yet to play in Europe during his career, there are several Premier League clubs reportedly keeping tabs on his availability, including Aston Villa and Chelsea.