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Goalkeeper: Vozinha, 40
As late bloomers and cult heroes go, few have made an impact on a World Cup quite like the goalkeeper who first defied Spain’s attackers and, after Cape Verde’s qualification for the knockouts, reduced Lionel Messi to a single goal. Vozinha departed Chaves in Liga Portugal 2 at the end of last season, having previously played in Cyprus, Slovakia and Moldova. With 27.5m Instagram followers, he would be a social media marketer’s dream, as well as a handy goalkeeper with a taste for the big occasion.
Right-back: Takehiro Tomiyasu, 27
Arsenal fans never got to see anything like the best of a defender of whom Mikel Arteta was a confirmed fan. A late recall for Japan’s squad after two years of injury absence have given “Tomi” a chance to reassert his qualities. Capable of playing across the defence, a player released by Ajax and the Gunners played all of Japan’s last-32 loss to Brazil. It is hoped his knee problems are behind him.
Centre-back: John Stones, 32
England’s greatest centre-half, Bobby Moore, almost entered the 1966 World Cup without a club contract, which would have made him ineligible. No such rules prevent Stones, whose time at Manchester City has come to an end, from being at this tournament. Now at 92 caps, he showed off his command of his position in leading England’s rearguard effort at the Azteca after coming on. A Premier League club will surely come calling for him a decade of glory at City. He has much left to give.
Centre-back: Chancel Mbemba, 31
Previously best known for his pre-match wearing of a tuxedo when a Newcastle player and a 2013 controversy where his reported four birthdays required investigation, the Democratic Republic of the Congo captain has departed Lille after seeing out a one-year contract. His displays for the DRC showed off his usefulness as a centre-back and defensive organiser.
Left-back: David Alaba, 34
Austria’s star man for so many years, capable of playing at full-back, centre-back and even in midfield, Alaba will not be part of the Real Madrid revolution under José Mourinho. Few players have such top-level experience as the four-time Champions League winner. Injuries did curb his impact at Madrid but he has expressed a desire to “stay at the highest possible level”. A Serie A move is mooted.
Midfielder: Luka Modric, 40
His farewell to the World Cup came when Croatia lost to Portugal in the last 32 and North America did not see the best of a player who has decorated the international stage since 2006. A contract extension at Milan remains unsigned but is reportedly a priority for the new coach, Ruben Amorim.
Midfielder: Franck Kessié, 29
Highly experienced, coming off three seasons in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli, the Côte d’Ivoire captain was a big tournament hit until his country were given the Erling Haaland treatment in Dallas after reaching the knockouts for the first time. That has made him the target for a number of Serie A clubs, including Roma, Juventus and Atalanta – he first played European football for the last of that trio.
Midfielder: Leon Goretzka, 31
The Bayern Munich mainstay departed the club he had served since 2018. Selected by Julian Nagelsmann, his former FC Hollywood coach, he will hope his wage demands as a free agent have not been harmed by Germany’s latest World Cup disappointment. His next club will have the use of an all-action player, though ought to beware that Bayern rarely let top players depart without good reason.
Right-side forward: James Rodríguez, 34
The breakout star of the 2014 finals was released by Minnesota United after the latest short move in a nomadic career that has never quite hit the expected heights that looked likely when he took Colombia to the quarter-finals 12 years ago. Like Neymar, also 34, he never managed to make the unbridgeable gap to the Messi-Ronaldo axis but his performances with his country in 2026 have shown there remains significant latent talent.
Centre-forward: Bamba Dieng, 26
A World Cup where a number of teams have struggled to find a serviceable centre-forward is replicated in the free agency market. Dieng had a very limited role for Senegal, playing only as a sub against France, the in-demand Nicolas Jackson being the incumbent, but has been linked with a number of Championship clubs, including Portsmouth and Derby,
Left-side forward: Mohamed Salah, 34
The biggest name of all is saved until last. At one point, there were wild rumours of a return to Liverpool now that Arne Slot has departed but that never seemed likely. Even wilder was a suggestion on Egyptian TV that staying on Merseyside and playing for Everton was a possibility. David Moyes was forced to swerve that, calling such a move “impossible”. Salah’s future is opaque, a carefully guarded secret, because he has preferred to focus on inspiring his country to the last 16. Saudi Arabia remains the most likely destination.
