TEN World Cup stars who could join Premier League clubs

Football writer Adrian Clarke identifies 10 stars of this summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup who may be playing in the Premier League next season.

Folarin Balogun (USA, Monaco)

Former Arsenal academy star Balogun is enjoying an outstanding World Cup, leading the line impressively for the US men's national team.

The 24-year-old has scored twice from seven shots across two man-of-the-match displays, and also forced Australia to score an own goal with a superb run and cross.

Balogun is right-footed, but his second goal against Paraguay proved his ambipedal ability, curling the ball into the top corner with his "weaker" left foot.

The Monaco striker is a well-rounded front man who is attracting admiring glances. Quick, intelligent with his movement, he's good at linking play and is also industrious in his work off the ball.

It is believed Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Everton, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland are all interested in him.

Bradley Barcola (France, Paris Saint-Germain)

Paris Saint-Germain’s pacy left winger has made a big impact from the bench in two of France’s World Cup matches so far and he will have more moments to shine as Le Bleus progress in the competition.

For his goal against Senegal, Barcola made a fabulous diagonal run to latch onto a through ball against Senegal, before cleverly dinking his finish over the goalkeeper. Then, late on in the emphatic 4-1 victory over Group I rivals Norway, the wide man delivered a great cross for Desire Doue to head home.

Barcola's electric pace provides tremendous dynamism, especially on the break, and his top-class dribbling skills make him a real entertainer. However, he has struggled for starts with PSG and could be on the move this summer, with Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande reported to be joining the European champions.

Liverpool and Arsenal are said to be monitoring Barcola's situation this summer.

Johan Manzambi (Switzerland, Freiburg)

Swiss football’s rising star has scored three goals and made one assist across just 129 minutes of World Cup action.

Manzambi scored a brilliant second-half brace as a substitute against Bosnia-Herzegovina, before starring from the outset in Switzerland’s decisive 2-1 success over Canada.

The 20-year-old plays as a No 10 behind the main striker, performing with great energy and athleticism. A strong runner who stretches opponents, Manzambi also has a top-class right foot and is capable of producing the spectacular.

The Freiburg midfielder is a powerful ball carrier, averaging a Swiss-high 14.4 metres per progressive carry, and is said to be firmly on Manchester United and Newcastle's radars.

Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco, Lille)

Morocco midfielder Bouaddi, aged just 18, is another breakout talent attracting plenty of admirers.

Off the back of a stellar campaign with Ligue 1 side Lille, the defensive midfield anchor dominated Brazil during an imperious performance for Morocco in their opening match.

Winning the ball back with the minimum of fuss, Bouaddi won 10 of 16 duels, and 10 ball recoveries across starts against Brazil and Scotland, before sitting out the Haiti match.

Map of Bouaddi's successful passes against Brazil

The youngster does the "dirty work" efficiently but is also a real asset in possession. The astute Moroccan teenager is calm, press-resistant and a good decision-maker who rarely gives the ball away. Bouaddi's pass accuracy was over 90 per cent in the games against Brazil and Scotland.

For someone so young, he has real maturity in his work. Arsenal and Liverpool are among his many suitors.

Maxi Araujo (Uruguay, Sporting)

Uruguay may be out of the World Cup, but the influence of in-demand Araujo was clear for all to see.

Playing on the left wing for Marcelo Bielsa’s side – but usually as a wing back for his club Sporting – the dynamic 26-year-old scored twice and made an assist across the games against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde.

The Sporting wide man loves getting into the danger zone to make things happen, as shown by his two poacher’s finishes, and a clever knockdown header.

Araujo is a strong attacking player who is blessed with good pace, nifty footwork and an accurate left foot. He created ten chances in three appearances, double that of any other Uruguay man.

He also knows how to defend. Araujo’s evenly contested battle with Noni Madueke over two legs in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal was a great watch.

Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal have all been linked with the Uruguayan.

Julian Quinones (Mexico, Al-Qadsiah)

Mexican forward Quinones has announced himself on the big stage at the age of 29.

The Saudi Pro League player has been deployed on the left but has regularly popped up infield in pockets of space to support the striker, racking up 10 shots in three appearances.

Quinones scored against South Africa and Czech Republic - and has also created four chances en route to the last 32. In short, he has been a constant menace to Mexico's opponents.

Map of Quinones' shots, key passes and successful dribbles against South Africa

Key: circle = shots, square = key pass, triangle = successful dribble

Quinones is Colombia-born, representing the South American team at Under-20 level before committing himself to Mexico. Colombian legend Radamel Falcao ruefully admitted in a recent interview, "For us it’s unfortunate because we lost a great player."

Last season, Quinones was the Saudi Pro League’s top scorer, with 33 goals. At club level he plays as a centre-forward, which shows he is also versatile.

Chelsea are one of several Premier League clubs reportedly tracking his progress.

Martin Baturina (Croatia, Como)

The brightest star of Croatia’s new generation is 23-year-old Baturina, who has been busy enhancing his reputation during the group phase.

It was his ferocious right-footed shot into the top corner from outside the box which levelled the score against England following Harry Kane’s opener, and the attacking midfielder backed up that fine start with a sublime display in a 1-0 success against Panama.

Completing six out of six dribbles in that contest, Baturina teased his markers throughout, winning 14 of 18 duels and seven fouls, and producing 19 ball carries with a combined progressive distance of 58.4 metres.

A natural attacking midfielder who is at his best playing wide on the left, the Como star – who created 63 chances in Serie A last season – has been linked with Aston Villa and Man Utd.

Ayase Ueda (Japan, Feyenoord)

A virtuoso display against Tunisia from Japan striker Ueda has catapulted the 27-year-old into the limelight.

The Feyenoord player drilled a magnificent low shot into the net from 18 yards in that encounter, before sealing a 4-0 victory with a class looping header. In between those goals he also produced a classy flick to release Junya Ito for a one-on-one situation which he scored from.

It was no surprise Ueda found the back of the net with a header, as he notched nine headed goals in Eredivisie during 2025/26, the joint-most across Europe’s top five leagues.

Showing good hold-up play, sharpness and intelligence, the forward has attracted reported interest from Everton and Leeds United.

Christ Inao Oulai (Ivory Coast, Trabzonspor)

He may be small in stature, but Inao Oulai is a huge driving force within Ivory Coast’s central midfield. Brimming with energy, he served up a midfield masterclass in his only start of the tournament so far, in a narrow 2-1 defeat to Germany.

In that contest, his composure in possession stood out greatly, along with a willingness to hold on to the ball and drive forward with it at his feet. Breaking the lines with ease, the gifted 20-year-old oozed confidence.

The Trabzonspor prospect, formerly of Bastia, made five successful dribbles against the Germans, all from inside his own half.

Map of Inao Oulai's successful dribbles against Germany

The Elephants' head coach Emerson Fae gave this description of the talented playmaker afterwards. "He possesses qualities that very few players have: he's technically gifted, unpredictable and, despite his age, knows all the tricks of the trade," he said.

Brentford, Fulham and Sunderland are among several English top-flight clubs reported to be monitoring Inao Oulai's progress.

Felix Nmecha (Germany, Borussia Dortmund)

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nmecha got his World Cup off to a flyer, scoring a fabulous curling strike in a 7-1 rout of Curacao, before supplying an equally impressive through-ball assist for Deniz Undav's late winner against Ivory Coast.

Happiest working in a double-pivot midfield, the former Manchester City youth-team player has displayed assurance on and off the ball for Julian Nagelsmann's Germany side. Just a handful of players have attempted more than his 12 tackles, he has passed the ball smoothly and boasts a joint team-high eight attempts on goal too.

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