World Cup 2026 absentees: Eight transfer targets who could seal major summer moves

World Cup 2026 absentees: Eight transfer targets who could seal major summer moves The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico is guaranteed to be a thrilling showcase of top-class international football. Hundreds of top players will have the chance to showcase their talents this summer. For some, the tournament could be the route to a lucrative transfer. However, numerous talented players will spend the next few weeks with their feet up after being denied the chance to take part in the World Cup. Some stars play for teams that failed to qualify, while others were omitted when their national team manager announced the squad. Intriguingly, there are a significant number of World Cup absentees who will garner plenty of interest when the summer transfer window opens. Read on as we look at some of the best transfers available from the players not going to the World Cup, starting with a midfielder who has every right to feel aggrieved. Adam Wharton – Crystal Palace & England Aside from Thomas Tuchel, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who thinks Jordan Henderson should be in the England squad ahead of Adam Wharton. The 35-year-old was underwhelming for the Three Lions when he was in his ‘prime’, but he has still been preferred ahead of the Crystal Palace star. Wharton’s performances for Palace have inevitably triggered transfer talk, and he looks destined to secure a major Premier League transfer this summer. His absence from the World Cup is undoubtedly one of the most baffling decisions ever made by an England manager. It may ultimately come back to haunt Tuchel. Mateus Fernandes – West Ham United & Portugal Mateus Fernandes has garnered plenty of interest in recent weeks, despite failing to help West Ham United avoid relegation from the Premier League. The 21-year-old has been left out of the Portugal squad, but a big-money move elsewhere could soften the blow of missing out on the World Cup. He has been linked with Manchester United, although they are unlikely to pay the £80 million asking price now that West Ham are a Championship club. The Red Devils have been keen to avoid overpaying for players in the transfer market over the past couple of years and may switch their attention elsewhere. Carlos Baleba – Brighton & Hove Albion & Cameroon Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba was previously touted as a £100m player after producing a series of impressive performances. However, after failing to hit the same heights last season, the 22-year-old is unlikely to generate that level of fee for the Seagulls this summer. Missing out on the World Cup with Cameroon would work to Baleba’s advantage, as he now has the chance to reset following a difficult campaign. Baleba has been linked with Man United and Real Madrid, and it would be no surprise if he secured a move elsewhere this summer. Riccardo Calafiori – Arsenal & Italy Riccardo Calafiori played a key role in Arsenal’s Premier League title success last season, and the club will be keen to keep him on board. However, new Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly a fan of the Italian international and wants the club to sign him. The chance to play for Madrid could be appealing to the former Bologna star, particularly if they give him assurances that he would play at centre-back. Representatives from Madrid have enquired about his availability, and it will be intriguing to see if he fancies playing under Mourinho. Alvaro Carreras – Real Madrid & Spain Madrid’s interest in signing Calafiori has triggered speculation about Alvaro Carreras’ future at the Bernabeu Stadium. Los Blancos also have Ferland Mendy in their squad, so the 23-year-old could drop down the pecking order if Madrid sign the Arsenal defender. Mourinho is reportedly not a fan of Carreras and has told the board that he lacks the quality to be a regular starter under him. Carreras struggled for consistency last season, resulting in him being overlooked by Spain. He could be on the move over the next few weeks. Eduardo Camavinga – Real Madrid & France Several high-profile players missed out on France’s World Cup squad, including Lucas Chevalier and Randal Kolo Muani. However, Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga’s omission from the squad overshadowed their absences by a considerable margin. Camavinga endured a difficult season with Madrid, most notably when he was dismissed in the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich. The Frenchman has been touted as a potential target for Man United, although they currently have their sights set elsewhere. Sandro Tonali – Newcastle United & Italy Despite being part of underachieving Newcastle United and Italy teams, Sandro Tonali has been heavily linked with a big-money move this summer. Tonali was a regular starter for the Magpies, who ended the season 12th in the Premier League table and outside the European qualification places. He was also in the team as Italy made unwanted history in March, becoming the first former World Cup winners to miss out on three successive tournaments. Newcastle have reportedly resigned themselves to losing Tonali this summer, with Man United and Arsenal his most likely destinations. Dusan Vlahovic – Juventus & Serbia Having flattered to deceive at previous major tournaments, Serbia went a step further by failing to qualify for the World Cup. Dusan Vlahovic is one of their poster boys for underachievement, scoring just 16 goals in 41 appearances at international level. It has been a similar story at Juventus, where he failed to live up to expectations after joining them from Fiorentina in 2023. He is out of contract this summer and could be heading to the Premier League. Newcastle and Chelsea have been linked with the striker.