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Sam Tighe
Multiple Authors
The FIFA World Cup represents the pinnacle of sports competition. When players shine for their nations under the watchful eyes of the world, they can greatly enhance their careers, gaining heightened reputations, lucrative transfers, and a surge in social media followers.
Conversely, a poor performance or a significant blunder can have lasting negative effects. While it might not end a career, a disappointing tournament can hinder success in the short term.
So, who has seen their stock rise and who has seen it fall during the 2026 tournament? We’ve selected 20 players, dividing them into two groups.
– Tighe: Transferring during a World Cup
– Carlisle: Forecasting USMNT’s 2030 World Cup roster
– Men’s summer transfer assessments
STOCK UP
Vozinha, 40, GK, Cape Verde/Free agent
Vozinha was at the heart of Cape Verde’s remarkable journey to the knockout stages, where they gave Argentina a real challenge, ultimately losing 3-2 after extra time. This 40-year-old goalkeeper, nearing the end of his contract with the Portuguese second-tier side Chaves, unexpectedly gained 29 million followers on Instagram, becoming one of the most-followed players worldwide. His stellar performances have opened new opportunities for him.
The world is eager to see where his next move will take him, with strong links suggesting he may join knockout rival Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.
Michael Olise, 24, FW/AM, France/Bayern Munich
Olise’s rise mirrors that of fellow French star Kylian Mbappé during the 2018 World Cup. Both were already recognized as world-class players before the tournament but elevated their profiles significantly through extraordinary performances on the global stage.
Now, a potential €150 million transfer for Olise seems less risky; it may even be viewed as a bargain. Although Bayern Munich sees him as untouchable this summer, should Real Madrid decide to make a move for another high-profile player, Olise would likely be top of their wishlist.
Johan Manzambi, 20, AM, Switzerland/Freiburg
Despite limited playing time due to a knee injury, Manzambi made a huge impact, contributing five goals and assists in just 200 minutes on the pitch. Having previously demonstrated his talent with Freiburg, leading them to the UEFA Europa League final last season, his performances at the World Cup have generated substantial interest. Newcastle United agreed to a £49 million fee for him, but Aston Villa successfully persuaded him to sign instead, propelled by the excitement surrounding his World Cup debut.
Folarin Balogun, 25, ST, United States/AS Monaco
Balogun emerged as a key figure for the USMNT, leading their attack with three goals amidst political controversy. His strong performances followed a prolific season at AS Monaco, where he scored 13 goals in 26 Ligue 1 appearances. His development as a forward is evident, potentially paving the way for a significant career move.
Alex Freeman, 21, RB, United States/Villarreal
Freeman’s electrifying displays on the right flank captivated fans during the World Cup, where he contributed a goal and an assist while exhibiting exceptional stamina. After joining Villarreal in January, his playing time has been limited to 340 minutes in La Liga, leading to speculation about potential moves that could benefit both him and Villarreal.
Gilberto Mora, 17, AM, Mexico/Club Tijuana
At just 17, Mora made history as the youngest player to represent Mexico in a World Cup, leaving a lasting impression with his courageous performances against South Africa and Ecuador. His recent contract extension with Club Tijuana before the tournament has attracted interest from top clubs worldwide.
Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, CM, Morocco/Lille
Bouaddi’s stock skyrocketed during the World Cup, thanks to his composed performances in Morocco’s midfield. Having only recently declared for the national team, his exceptional play at such a high level has established him as one of Europe’s top young midfield talents, drawing attention from elite clubs like Manchester City, who are reportedly willing to offer €100 million for him.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi, 20, CB, South Africa/Chicago Fire
South Africa rebounded from a shocking start to the World Cup, showcasing resilience to reach the knockout stage, a feat greatly aided by Mbokazi’s standout defensive performances. The 20-year-old impressed scouts with his aerial abilities and duel-winning skills, raising his profile, particularly as a left-footed defender is highly sought after. Having just joined Chicago Fire FC, he could be on the move again soon.
Zion Suzuki, 23, GK, Japan/Parma
If teams are hesitant about signing Vozinha, they are likely to consider 23-year-old Suzuki, who delivered impressive performances for Japan. His shot-stopping abilities and command of the air have attracted interest, especially after his experience in top-level football with Parma.
Charles De Ketelaere, 25, AM/ST, Belgium/Atalanta
Although De Ketelaere struggled in the group stage, he made a impactful comeback in the knockout rounds, helping Belgium eliminate the US before scoring a stunning header against Spain. Often compared to Arsenal’s Kai Havertz, he’s viewed as a versatile player, whether as a forward or an attacking midfielder, solidifying his rising reputation.
STOCK DOWN
Federico Valverde, 27, CM, Uruguay/Real Madrid
Uruguay’s manager, Marcelo Bielsa, attempted different tactics to position Valverde as the team’s star player, moving him to various roles, including the wing. Unfortunately, none of these strategies proved effective as Uruguay faced an early exit in the group stage. Valverde’s lackluster performances have continued a rough year for him, following a public fallout with teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni earlier this year.
Igor Thiago, 25, ST, Brazil/Brentford
After a standout season with Brentford, where he netted an impressive 22 goals, Thiago was named Brazil’s first-choice striker, but failed to live up to expectations. His chances were overshadowed by the emergence of Bournemouth’s talented 19-year-old winger Rayan, who seized the opportunity instead.
Omar Marmoush, 27, FW/ST, Egypt/Manchester City
Prior to the tournament, expectations for Marmoush were high, especially with Egypt making its first-ever knockout stage appearance. However, he had a lackluster tournament, contributing no goals or assists and losing his place in the lineup against Argentina. The €70 million signing has seen his stock decline significantly due to this show.
Matt Freese, 27, GK, USA/New York City FC
Freese’s solid performances in MLS earned him a starting role in the World Cup, creating expectations for future opportunities. Unfortunately, a critical error against Belgium has overshadowed his achievements, potentially affecting his prospects for club transfers this summer.
Neymar, 34, FW, Brazil/Santos
Neymar’s aspirations for a significant post-World Cup transfer were dashed following a disappointing tournament where he played a mere 37 minutes due to injury. Although he scored a late penalty against Norway in the Round of 16, it was overshadowed by Brazil’s exit and resulted in his announcement of international retirement following the match.
Leroy Sané, 30, FW, Germany/Galatasaray
After signing a lucrative deal with Galatasaray, Sané’s World Cup performances were disappointing, leading to a decline in interest from other clubs. His lack of impact against Juventus in the Champions League playoffs resulted in him being left out of the knockout rounds against Liverpool, further tarnishing his reputation.
Luis Suárez, 28, ST, Colombia/ Sporting CP
Suárez’s impressive 38 goals last season for Sporting CP set high expectations for his performance in the World Cup. Unfortunately, he failed to score, reflecting Colombia’s larger struggles in converting chances. With multiple teammates also underperforming, Suárez’s exit from the tournament is a significant disappointment.
Vitinha, 26, CM, Portugal/Paris Saint-Germain
Highly regarded as one of the best central midfielders, Vitinha disappointed in the World Cup. While Portugal’s exit in the round of 16 against Spain may not solely rest on his shoulders, teams interested in him, including Real Madrid, might now question how he would perform outside PSG’s supportive structure.
Theo Hernández, 28, LB, France/Al Hilal
After transferring to Al Hilal for €30 million, Hernández failed to impress in the World Cup. He was quickly outperformed by Lucas Digne in France’s opener, and went on to play only a limited role for the remainder of the tournament. His performances may adversely affect any chances for a return to an elite European club.
Manuel Ugarte, 25, CM, Uruguay/Manchester United
A potential transfer for Ugarte seemed likely after being deemed surplus to requirements at Manchester United, but a torn ACL during his group’s final match against Spain ended both his tournament and any chances for a summer transfer, a devastating setback for the midfielder.