The World Cup is finally here, but a number of the stars headed to North America this summer don’t currently know where they will be plying their trade next season. As is the case with every summer, a slew of big-name players will see their contracts with their current clubs expire and ultimately move on to pastures new.
The likes of Real Madrid-bound Ibrahima Konate, Spurs-bound Andrew Robertson, and Barcelona-bound Bernardo Silva all know where they will be strutting their stuff from July 1st onwards. Others, however, do not.
Out-of-contract players heading to the World Cup is certainly nothing new. England famously took Joe Cole to the 2010 tournament in South Africa despite him being released by Chelsea, and the campaign would ultimately end in disaster for the Three Lions as they were thumped 4-1 by rivals Germany in the Round of 16. Iconic midfielder Andres Iniesta’s contract with boyhood club Barcelona expired during the 2018 World Cup, and he too would have to endure a summer of heartache as La Roja were shockingly dumped out by hosts Russia, also in the second round.
So, which out-of-contract players who don’t currently have their next move lined up will be featuring at the World Cup this summer? Here are the biggest names.
John Stones
For the first time in a generation – perhaps more than a generation – there is genuine hope that England can actually win the World Cup this summer and end 60 long years of hurt. Online betting sites certainly believe so, as do English supporters. The latest odds from Lucky Rebel position the Three Lions as a 6/1 third-favourite to leave MetLife Stadium with the famous gold trophy in tow on July 19th, with only Spain (9/2) and France (5/1) considered more likely champions.
Plenty of eyebrows were raised with manager Thomas Tuchel’s squad selection. Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and Harry Maguire were all left out, while soon-to-be free agent John Stones was included, despite the fact that he has played hardly any football over the last two years. The current Manchester City man – until June 30th, anyway – has played just 86 minutes of Premier League football since the turn of the year, but the centre back has clearly proven his fitness to his manager, who knows just how important his tournament experience could well be.
Stones is expected to start at the heart of England’s defence for the tournament opener against Croatia in Dallas on June 17th, alongside fellow Manchester City man Marc Guehi, despite the imperious form of Aston Villa captain Ezri Konsa. Once the tournament concludes, however, the future of the 32-year-old is very much up in the air. Bayern Munich are currently considered the favourites to land his signature on a free transfer, but that’s far from a done deal.
Leon Goretzka
Leon Goretzka has been a reliable cog in the midfield of both Bayern Munich and the German national team for over a decade now. He shot to prominence with Schalke between 2013 and 2018, before then drawing the ire of Royal Blues supporters when he moved to Bavaria on a free transfer, despite being one of the hottest commodities in German football at the time. Now, at the age of 31, he is poised to move on a free transfer once again, but first, the small matter of representing Die Mannschaft at the World Cup.
The former Bochum youngster has only known heartache with Germany at the World Cup. He was just 19 years of age the last time the Germans won the World Cup back in 2014, and wasn’t selected to the squad that headed to Brazil, despite a breakout year in Gelsenkirchen. Since then, he has twice headed to the World Cup, and on both occasions, his Germany team was shockingly eliminated in the group stage.
Fast forward to now, and Germany have hope of returning to prominence. They reached the quarterfinals of Euro 2024, and with a young squad centred around the likes of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, Goretzka’s experience will be crucial if Die Mannschaft are to break their eight-year rut. Much like Stones, however, the veteran midfielder’s first port of call after the tournament concludes is still unknown. Newly minted Premier League champions Arsenal are considered the frontrunners, but both Milan clubs are thought to be lurking.
Fabinho
Brazilian holding midfielder Fabinho was once considered arguably the best on the planet in his position. He was a crucial piece of the Liverpool midfield that won the 2019 UEFA Champions League and the 2020 Premier League title. However, injuries would take their toll somewhat, and he departed for Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023. After three years in the Arabian Gulf, he is set to be a free agent this summer, but first, he will feature for Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil at the World Cup.
Fabinho’s selection was somewhat of a surprise. At the age of 32, younger options such as Manchester United-bound Éderson and Chelsea’s Andrey Santos were considered more likely selections at defensive midfield. Instead, Don Carlo has opted for experience, selecting both Fabinho and Casemiro, aged 32 and 34, respectively. Whether that decision turns out to be inspired or a disaster remains to be seen.
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