Transfer Rumors: Who's Moving Before the World Cup?
The biggest confirmed moves, hottest summer rumours, and how the transfer market will shape World Cup 2026 squads.
The transfer market never sleeps — and in a World Cup year, every move carries extra weight. A change of club can transform a player's form, confidence, and ultimately, their place in a 26-man squad. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicking off on June 11, the January window has already reshaped several national team pictures, and the summer rumour mill is spinning at full speed.
Here's everything you need to know about the biggest confirmed moves and the hottest summer speculation shaping the road to North America 2026.
💰 The January Strategy: Moves for Minutes
The January transfer window was dominated by players seeking regular playing time to secure their international spots before the World Cup.
Key Confirmed Transfers
| Player | From | To | World Cup Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| N'Golo Kanté 🇫🇷 | Al Ittihad | Fenerbahçe | Returning to European football to boost his chances of a final World Cup run with France. |
| Endrick 🇧🇷 | Real Madrid | Lyon | A crucial loan/transfer for the Brazilian sensation to gain consistent first-team minutes and secure his spot in the Seleção squad. |
| João Cancelo 🇵🇹 | Al Hilal | Barcelona | Returning to La Liga, driven heavily by his desire to improve his standing in the Portuguese national setup. |
| Thiago Silva 🇧🇷 | Fluminense | Porto | A shock return to Europe aimed at making one last glorious World Cup appearance at age 41. |
| James Rodríguez 🇨🇴 | Free Agent | Minnesota United | The veteran playmaker heads to MLS to maintain match fitness and lead Colombia. |
| Marc-André ter Stegen 🇩🇪 | Barcelona | Girona | Seeking a fresh start to solidify his status as Germany's number one. |
| Dominik Livaković 🇭🇷 | Fenerbahçe | Dinamo Zagreb | Returning home to Croatia to guarantee playing time ahead of the tournament. |
🦅 The USMNT Transfer Shuffle
With a World Cup on home soil, United States Men's National Team (USMNT) players are at the center of the transfer market as they jockey for elite experience.
- Malik Tillman: Reportedly set to move from PSV Eindhoven to Bayer Leverkusen. A massive step up into a Champions League-caliber German side.
- Timothy Weah: Heavily rumored to be on Juventus's transfer list, with potential destinations including Nottingham Forest, Marseille, Leeds United, or AS Monaco. Finding the right tactical fit is critical for his World Cup role.
- Johnny Cardoso: Already secured a massive transfer from Real Betis to Diego Simeone's Atlético Madrid, further cementing his status as a key piece of the US midfield.
- Damion Downs: The highly-rated FC Köln prospect is heavily linked with a move to Premier League side Southampton.
🔥 Summer 2026: The Hottest Rumours Blockbusters
While January was about securing minutes, the upcoming summer window is gearing up for absolute blockbusters involving established superstars.
🌴 Casemiro → Inter Miami? 🇧🇷
Brazilian midfield general Casemiro is reportedly considering a monumental move to Inter Miami after the 2026 World Cup concludes, but initial talks are already underway. Following Sergio Busquets' expected retirement, Miami views Casemiro as the perfect anchor, though FC Porto remains interested in keeping him in Europe.
🔴 Julián Álvarez → Arsenal? 🇦🇷
The Argentine forward is heavily linked with a blockbuster move to Mikel Arteta's Arsenal. Seeking to be the undisputed leading man at a top club, his potential transfer is one of the most talked-about deals in the Premier League.
👑 Harry Kane → Barcelona? 🏴
In one of the most surprising rumors of the year, England captain Harry Kane is being linked with a spectacular switch from Bayern Munich to Barcelona to eventually replace Robert Lewandowski.
🔵 Ousmane Dembélé → Chelsea? 🇫🇷
The French winger is reportedly keen on a Premier League switch and has allegedly contacted Chelsea directly. A settled club situation by June would be ideal for Les Bleus' title challenge.
⚪️ Enzo Fernández → Real Madrid? 🇦🇷
The Argentine midfield engine is currently embroiled in ongoing discussions amid heavy interest from Real Madrid. His departure from Chelsea could trigger a massive domino effect across European midfields.
🏜️ The Saudi vs. Europe Debate
The Saudi Pro League continues to attract high-profile names, but the World Cup question looms large for national team managers: will players based outside Europe's top leagues arrive match-sharp?
Players like Kanté and Cancelo clearly felt the need to return to European intensity to catch their respective managers' eyes. However, the reduced physical load of the Saudi league could also mean fresher legs — a highly debated topic as we approach June.
How Transfers Shape World Cup Squads
A move between clubs in a World Cup year is a high-stakes gamble. Here's how it cuts both ways:
✅ The Upside:
- A player stuck on the bench (e.g., Livaković, Ter Stegen) gets regular game time and surges back into national team contention.
- A move to a bigger club (e.g., Cardoso to Atlético) signals to the manager that the player is performing at the absolute highest level.
❌ The Downside:
- An unsettled period of house-hunting, new teammates, and adapting to a new league can severely disrupt form.
- Injuries during the adjustment period can torpedo World Cup dreams entirely.
Follow WC26News for confirmed transfer news and squad impact analysis as we count down to kick-off. The transfer market is the World Cup's shadow tournament — and it's already delivering intense drama. ⚽