10 World Cup Stars Ready for the Premier League
The World Cup is over, the confetti has been swept away, and the Premier League is about to reclaim the spotlight. A summer dominated by the 2026 men's tournament has left some of England’s biggest clubs with players returning as champions, breakout stars, or men on a mission.
Here are 10 World Cup standouts who look ready to rip into the 2026-27 Premier League season.
10. Pedro Porro – finally in his element
Pedro Porro returns from the World Cup as a winner. Spain’s right back was excellent throughout their run to the trophy, a constant outlet, aggressive in the press and fearless going forward.
At Spurs, he now looks perfectly aligned with Roberto De Zerbi’s approach. The system suits his marauding style, encouraging him to fly high, combine, and arrive in scoring areas. Goals, assists, chaos from the right flank – Porro has the platform and the manager to squeeze every drop out of his attacking instincts.
9. Elliot Anderson – City’s new conductor
A big World Cup, then a big move. Elliot Anderson has swapped Nottingham Forest for Manchester City and walks into Enzo Maresca’s midfield with serious momentum.
He was central to England’s third-place finish, snapping into tackles, reading danger early, and recycling possession with calm authority. Few players at the tournament won the ball back and set the tempo as sharply. At City, that profile is gold. Anderson looks ready to run games, not just play in them – the heartbeat of every side he joins.
8. Martin Ødegaard – refreshed and under pressure
Martin Ødegaard needed this World Cup. After a stop-start, injury-hit season with Arsenal and dips in form, he rediscovered his sharpness and influence as Norway produced a magical run.
He comes back to London energized but under genuine pressure. Arsenal have made a statement by bringing in Bruno Guimarães, and Ødegaard will have to scrap for his place. That competition could be exactly what he needs. A fully tuned Ødegaard, with something to prove, is a dangerous proposition for Premier League defenses.
7. Florian Wirtz – ready to explode at Liverpool
Germany’s early exit has pushed Florian Wirtz out of the wider World Cup conversation, but that ignores how good he actually was. Sharp between the lines, inventive on the ball, always looking to break through.
Now look at his preseason with Liverpool. Impressive again. Settled. Confident. In his second Premier League campaign, he is expected to take on the No. 10 role for Andoni Iraola, operating behind the forwards in a high-pressing, high-tempo system. That means more touches in the final third, more chances to create and score, and more responsibility as Liverpool’s creative hub.
6. Youri Tielemans – built for Old Trafford
Youri Tielemans dragged Belgium into the last eight with big-game moments and a relentless drive from midfield. Then came the move he has long coveted: Aston Villa to Manchester United.
He feels like a natural fit. United need a midfielder who relishes the ugly work and still has the quality to arrive late and decide matches. Tielemans does both. He tackles, screens, presses, then suddenly appears on the edge of the box to lash one in. Old Trafford demands character as much as talent; Tielemans has shown he thrives under that kind of scrutiny.
5. Bukayo Saka – Arsenal’s main man, again
Bukayo Saka’s World Cup was played on a knife-edge. Managed through injury, he missed England’s semifinal defeat to Argentina, a huge loss on the night. Yet when he did play, he reminded everyone of his ceiling.
An assist against Mexico. A hat trick in the third-place game against France. Lively cameos off the bench. Every touch looked decisive, every involvement carried threat. Back at Arsenal, nothing changes: he is the main man in attack. If his fitness holds, the right flank at the Emirates belongs to him.
4. Lisandro Martínez – United’s enforcer returns
When Lisandro Martínez is missing, Manchester United look different. Softer. Less sure of themselves. His World Cup only reinforced his importance.
The Argentina center back was a rock on their run to the final, snarling into duels, organizing the line, and setting the tone with his aggression. Having to come off with a minor injury in the final was a major blow for his country. For United, a fit Martínez means leadership, bite, and clarity at the back as they try to push their comeback further.
3. Bruno Guimarães – Arsenal’s statement signing
Four assists for Brazil at the World Cup. Only Michael Olise registered more at the tournament. That tells its own story about Bruno Guimarães.
His move from Newcastle United to Arsenal feels like a transfer that can tilt a title race. Arsenal are not just buying quality; they are buying edge and hunger. Guimarães brings leadership in midfield, a relentless work rate, and the vision to unlock defenses. The $101 million fee is a huge statement. Arsenal expect him to change games. He has shown, for club and country, that he can.
2. Declan Rice – the barometer of a champion
When Declan Rice is not fully fit, both Arsenal and England sag. You can see it in the press, in the tempo, in the way the ball moves – or doesn’t.
At the World Cup, he still delivered a strong tournament despite juggling illness and injury at various stages. He covered ground, snapped into challenges, and dictated rhythm. Arsenal’s entire structure leans on him: he sets the tone out of possession and decides the speed of their attacks. If they are to chase back-to-back titles, Rice’s form and availability will be non-negotiable.
1. Erling Haaland – the inevitable force
Of course Erling Haaland tops this list. How could he not?
Seven goals at the World Cup. Norway, not traditionally a powerhouse, marching to the quarterfinals with their No. 9 as the face of the tournament, on and off the pitch. His global profile somehow grew even bigger.
Back at Manchester City, the equation is familiar and frightening. Enzo Maresca’s tactics should give City plenty of opportunities to spring forward quickly. Haaland will be waiting on the shoulder, ready to finish moves with ruthless efficiency. Another 30-goal league season is not a prediction so much as an expectation.
And with his goals – and his ever-present social media circus – the Premier League spotlight will keep finding him, whether defenders like it or not.
