World Cup 2026: Who are the players without a club?

The World Cup is becoming more and more exciting. The tournament has already entered the knockout stages, the path to the final is defined and expectations are growing about which two teams will compete for the biggest prize in world football at the New York and New Jersey Stadium on July 19th. But for a small group of players, there's an extra incentive to stand out. As of July 2, 14 of the players still active in the World Cup are technically without a club. After the tournament is over, they will have nowhere to go. Among them are well-known names, although it is unlikely that Casemiro, James Rodríguez and Mo Salah are too worried about how they will support themselves financially. However, they still have the chance to impress potential prospects – and of course there is the possibility of getting hurt. BBC Sport looks at the short-term futures of some of the most notable players who are out of contract and still dreaming of World Cup glory.

John Stones, 32, England (Last club: Manchester City) He left City after a decade at the club, where he won 15 major titles. Called up to the national team by Thomas Tuchel despite recent injury problems, Stones has been linked with his former club Everton and Italian giants AC Milan.

Casemiro, 34, Brazil (Last club: Manchester United) Released by United due to his high salary, even after an exceptional last season at Old Trafford. Casemiro's World Cup form has been patchy, but he scored a crucial goal in Brazil's comeback victory against Japan in the group stage. He is expected to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami once the World Cup is over.

David Alaba, 33, Austria (Last club: Real Madrid) He left Real Madrid this summer after five years at the club. The former Bayern Munich player had a remarkable career, winning 12 league titles and four Champions League titles. Although there was speculation about interest from a number of clubs as his contract with Real came to an end, Alaba has so far not signed for anyone.

Fabinho, 32, Brazil (Last club: Al Ittihad) The former Liverpool midfielder has ended his spell in the Saudi Pro League. In an interview with Marca in January, Fabinho said he is in no rush to sort out his future and would like to return to Europe at some point. At the World Cup, he has mainly been used as an option on the bench by manager Carlo Ancelotti and is clearly an important part of his team.


Mohamed Salah, 33, Egypt (Last club: Liverpool) Salah's last few months at Anfield have not been easy, as his relationship with manager Arne Slot appears to have deteriorated. Both left Liverpool. Salah is expected to move to the Saudi Pro League once the World Cup ends, but for now, his focus is entirely on leading Egypt through the knockout stages.

James Rodríguez, 34, Colombia (Last club: Minnesota United) MLS side Minnesota United have the option to extend Rodríguez's contract for another six months until the end of the year. However, that has yet to happen and whether it is realistic, given the Colombian midfielder made just six appearances in the first half of the season and started just two, is an open question. Rodríguez may soon be on the huntof his fifth club in less than three years.

Luka Modric, 40, Croatia (Last club: AC Milan) Milan have the option to extend Modric's contract for a further year, but it remains unclear whether this will happen or whether the veteran midfielder will continue his career elsewhere or retire completely. Modric struggled in Croatia's group stage defeat to England but bounced back in wins over Panama and Ghana to help set up a thrilling qualifier against Portugal.

Vozinha, 40, Cape Verde (Last club: Chaves) The Cape Verde goalkeeper went viral for his heroic performance in the goalless draw against Spain and has since helped his team advance to the knockout stages for the first time, where they will face Lionel Messi's Argentina on Friday. The veteran revealed in an interview with a Brazilian journalist that his contract with Chaves, in the Portuguese second tier, has ended, but that he wants to continue playing.

Complete list of players still at the World Cup who are out of contract: - David Alaba, 33, Austria (Last club: Real Madrid) - Nabil Bentaleb, 31, Algeria (Last club: Lille) - Casemiro, 34, Brazil (Last club: Manchester United) - Fabinho, 32, Brazil (Last club: Al Ittihad) - Gideon Mensah, 27, Ghana (Last club: Auxerre) - Thomas Meunier, 34, Belgium (Last club: Lille) - Luka Modric, 40, Croatia (Last club: AC Milan) - Abdul Mumin, 27, Ghana (Last club: Rayo Vallecano) - Orjan Nyland, 35, Norway (Last club: Sevilla) - Thomas Partey, 32, Ghana (Last club: Villarreal) - James Rodríguez, 34, Colombia (Last club: Minnesota United) - Mohamed Salah, 33, Egypt (Last club: Liverpool) - Xaver Schlager, 28, Austria (Last club: RB Leipzig) - John Stones, 32, England (Last club: Manchester City) - Vozinha, 40, Cape Verde (Last club: Chaves)

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