The 2026 World Cup is raging on. As we enter the quarter-final stage of the competition, let’s take a look at some of the tournament’s best free agents who have previously played in the Premier League.
Football, especially at the highest level, can be a cruel game. Top players are often let go on free transfers, even if they still have something to offer.
We’ll be looking at former Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool stars in this list – before we begin, can you guess who they are?
Casemiro
Casemiro had a World Cup of massive peaks, but also very deep valleys. Part of one of the weaker Brazil teams from across history, they were unceremoniously dumped out of the competition in the last 16 by Erling Haaland’s Norway.
The former Manchester United star was criticised for his lack of pace and poor positioning, but made up for it with his lion-esque heart, despite Brazil’s overall poor performance in the tournament.
At the age of 34, Casemiro’s time at the top now looks to be over. He has agreed a deal to join Inter Miami in the MLS ahead of next season, though the deal hasn’t been finalised of yet.
John Stones
John Stones’ later years have been marred by injury – it’s a shame. At Manchester City, the former Everton man developed into one of the best defenders in the world during his heyday.
Possessing technical mastery, combined with excellent anticipational skills and (eventually) a strong understanding of defensive fundamentals, Stones was one of the greatest centre-backs in Premier League history.
At 32, he isn’t that old, either. However, his spotty injury record will present an issue for any club looking to snap him up – even on a free transfer.
James Rodriguez
Best known for his outstanding campaign in the 2014 World Cup with Columbia, James Rodriguez never managed to hit those lofty heights in the years that followed.
Whilst clearly a wonderfully-talented football, he always tended to struggle with the physical side of the game. Not a particularly hard worker, his teammates often had to compensate for his lack of defensive contributions.
If Rodriguez was born 20 years earlier, we might be talking about him in a different light. Now a free agent and aged 34, it’s hard to see where he’ll go next.
Luka Modric
The oldest entry in our list by a considerable margin, Luka Modric was once amongst the finest players in world football. A former winner of the Ballon d’Or, his list of accomplishments is enough to rival any footballer from across history.
With six Champions League trophies and four La Liga titles under his belt, Modric was a key cog in Real Madrid’s machine during one of Los Blancos’ most successful eras.
Now, however, Modric is 40 years of age. He has slowed down an awful lot in recent years – we wouldn’t be surprised if he chose to call it a day.
Mohamed Salah
One of the greatest players to ever don a Liverpool shirt, Mohamed Salah was the driving force behind the Reds’ return to prominence after years of underachievment.
An utterly sensational winger with spectacular ball control and finishing ability, the Egyptian international was bitterly unlucky to have not progressed further in the World Cup.
He looks set to join a team in the Saudi Pro League during the summer – as one of the most famous Arabic players of all time, it seems to make sense.