A World Cup never really stops at the pitch’s edge. While teams compete in North America, agents have never stopped working. Some players see their value rise match after match. Others complete a transfer even before the tournament ends. Here’s how the 2026 World Cup is already shaking up the summer transfer market.
A transfer window that never stops, even during the tournament
Contrary to popular belief, the World Cup does not pause the transfer market. Negotiations continue behind the scenes, sometimes up to signing, without the players involved missing a second of their sporting preparation.
“The World Cup doesn’t change much. Agents continue to negotiate with clubs (...). The player is aware of everything happening, even if he pretends otherwise,” recently said the agent of a player expected to make a major transfer, speaking anonymously. This truth explains why so many deals progress quickly, precisely because the tournament’s global exposure acts as a catalyst.
Rising valueThese players whose value rises with each match
A major tournament is an opportunity for some players to change dimension in just a few weeks. Their performance on football’s biggest stage immediately impacts the market.
The typical profile that overperforms in these rankings is almost never an established star. It’s the squad players who become starters, those who score at the right moment in front of the right cameras. The 2026 World Cup, broadcast worldwide from North America, amplifies this magnifying effect like never before.
Hot topicsTransfers taking shape during the tournament
Out of contract at Liverpool, the 27-year-old French defender is very likely to join Real Madrid. A free transfer that confirms the Spanish club’s ongoing appetite for French international defenders.
Having left FC Barcelona last May, the Polish striker is set to continue his career in MLS. According to Fabrizio Romano, his transfer to Chicago Fire is almost finalized.
While Liverpool seemed to have taken the lead, the RB Leipzig winger has reportedly ultimately chosen PSG in case of departure from the German club, according to The Athletic. Leipzig expects a Parisian offer in the coming days.
At 33, the Swiss international midfielder has reportedly been identified as a serious target by Chelsea, who are looking for experience to guide a still young squad.
Les Bleus, major movers in this transfer window
No national team moves the transfer market this summer as much as the French team. Between contract expirations, questioned statuses, and performances that raise questions, about ten French internationals are directly concerned.
The Konaté case perfectly illustrates the post-World Cup transfer market mechanics: a player at the end of his contract, already courted before the tournament, whose destination is confirmed during the competition without any official announcement disrupting his preparation. Conversely, players like Pavard or Koné, excluded from the squad or on the fringes of their club, see their situations stirring quietly in the background, away from the spotlight focused on the American fields.
While these files are being written, the show continues on the fields. Find all our 2026 World Cup jerseys and all our official club jerseys on Elite Fanstore to follow the rest of the summer, both on the field and in the transfer market.