There’s a weird kind of privilege in missing the World Cup. While 736 players grind through a month in North America chasing glory, another group gets a full summer of pool time and contract negotiations. And some of them are very, very good at soccer.
So we built an XI of elite talents who won’t be playing in the 2026 tournament but will almost certainly be changing addresses before the window closes. These are guys whose agents have been working overtime.
Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham)
Vicario became a symbol of Tottenham’s collapse last season, partly because Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher made him their personal punching bag on Monday Night Football. Now he’s being linked with Juventus, who might pivot to him if Emiliano Martinez’s price tag proves too steep (it will). Napoli’s also interested, but they need to move some bodies first.
Right Back: Matteo Palestra (Chelsea)
Chelsea paid Atalanta £43 million for a 21-year-old with fewer than 10 Serie A starts. That’s either brilliant scouting or a panic buy. He made his Italy debut during the cursed World Cup qualifying playoffs that kept Italy home again. The kid can play though. Cagliari loan last season was a revelation.
Center Back: Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen)
The Burkina Faso international isn’t exactly A-list on Chelsea’s radar, but the links exist because he worked well with Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen. That’s enough these days. Leverkusen is trying to extend his contract to ward off interest. The 27-year-old is steady, good on the ball, and available for the right price.
Center Back: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan)
It’s been a rough year for Bastoni. Sent off in Italy’s playoff loss to Bosnia. Inter’s domestic form wobbled. Then Giuseppe Bergomi, an Inter legend, basically told him he needs to leave Italy for his own good. Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Barcelona are sniffing around. Inter wants £60 million. Someone will pay it.
Left Back: Álvaro Carreras (Real Madrid)
Carreras got overlooked by Spain for the World Cup squad. Then Real Madrid went and signed Marc Cucurella for the same position, basically just to have a Spanish rep in the national team. Jose Mourinho doesn’t fancy Carreras either. Real is open to selling the former Manchester United academy kid. United has been mentioned but not seriously. Yet.
Midfield: Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Jordan Henderson took his quiz nights to the World Cup instead of Wharton, which at least gives the Crystal Palace midfielder a clear summer to figure out his future. Chelsea and Liverpool are interested but neither has made a real move yet. Palace wants £75 million. Considering Newcastle turned down £80 million for Sandro Tonali, that seems fair.
Midfield: Sandro Tonali (Newcastle)
Italy’s absence from the World Cup means Tonali is available for transfer conversations instead of tournament football. His agent has been shopping him since January. Tottenham is a real possibility. He could anchor their midfield for years if the deal gets done.
Midfield: João Félix (West Ham)
Félix might be the unluckiest guy in this XI. Made his Portugal debut in March, played well enough to help keep West Ham from getting relegated earlier than they did, and still got left home. Tottenham wants him too. Whether Manchester United makes a move for their supposed top target will determine where he ends up.
Wing: Harry Wilson (Fulham)
Wales didn’t qualify, which is a shame because Wilson had a solid season. His Fulham contract expires this week. Leeds United has been chasing him for a while and looks like they’ll finally land the 29-year-old winger on a free transfer. Smart business if they pull it off.
Wing: Jack Grealish (Manchester City/Everton)
Injury killed Grealish’s slim chance at making England’s World Cup squad. Thomas Tuchel prefers direct, flying wingers anyway. So Grealish gets the summer off to swim in pools and figure out his next move. It’s almost certainly not at Manchester City. Most likely, he’ll be back at Everton on loan.
Striker: Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)
Guinea never really threatened to qualify, so the Dortmund striker’s absence isn’t surprising. But his numbers are ridiculous: 60 goals in 96 games since joining from Stuttgart. At 30 years old, AC Milan and Juventus are circling. He’s probably the biggest Bundesliga name not at the World Cup.
That’s 11 guys who could slot into almost any starting lineup in Europe. And they’re all home watching the tournament on TV, waiting for their phones to ring.
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