Salah, Silva and Alaba are key players in out-of-contract World Cup starting XI
The Athletic has prepared a starting XI of players who are out-of-contract while playing at the World Cup, including stars such as Mohamed Salah, Bernardo Silva and David Alaba. These players, whose contracts often expire on June 30, are using the tournament to impress new clubs.
Great performances in the World Cup can change the direction of a player's career. It is the biggest showcase of men's football.
While most players will be focused on glory with their countries over the next few weeks, for those players who are out of contract, this tournament is the perfect opportunity to impress new clubs. Most players' contracts expire on 30 June, which is during the World Cup round of 32.
In this World Cup, more than 30 players are out of contract. From major league champions to captains of international teams, here (for fun) is The Athletic's combined XI of the soon-to-be free agents competing in North America.
Goalkeeper
Orange Nyland, NorwayNyland, once a Championship goalkeeper with Aston Villa and Reading, has played the majority of La Liga matches for Sevilla in the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons. He prevented around 1.8 goals in 59 matches and showed the ability to play with his feet. But Sevilla's performance in regular play remained close to the relegation zone.
The 35-year-old Nyland will make his first men's World Cup appearance for Norway and has more than 70 international caps and experience of English and Spanish football.
Possible Club: Greuther Fürth, 2. Bundesliga
Defenders
Zeki Celik, Türkiye
Celik was Ligue 1 champion with Lille in 2020-21 and has been playing at Roma for the last four seasons.
Possible Clubs: Juventus, Liverpool
Ibrahima Konate, France
Demand for Konate has increased after his contract was not renewed at Liverpool this summer.
Possible Club: Real Madrid
John Stones, EnglandStones finished a trophy-filled decade with Manchester City last season.
Possible Club: Bayern Munich
David Alaba, Austria
Alaba, 33, will leave Real Madrid this summer.
Possible Clubs: AC Milan, Red Bull Salzberg
midfield
Casemiro, Brazil
Casemiro announced the termination of his contract to Manchester United in January.
Possible Club: Inter Miami
Leon Goretzka, Germany
Goretzka spent eight seasons at Bayern Munich.
Possible Club: AC Milan
Frank Casey, Ivory Coast
Casey is terminating his contract with Saudi club Al-Ahli.
Possible Clubs: Juventus, Inter
Forwards
Mohammed Salah, Egypt
Salah will leave Liverpool as one of the club's greatest players.
Possible Club: Al-Ittihad
Bernardo Silva, PortugalSilva has been a key player and his consistency will make him an asset anywhere.
Possible Clubs: Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid
Bamba Dieng, Senegal
Dieng has played in France since 2021 and has battled injuries over the past few seasons.
Possible Clubs: Hull City, Real Betis
###Options:
**Axel Tuanzebe (28, DR Congo, centre-back; last club: Burnley); Thomas Meunier (34, Belgium, right-back; last club: Lille); Fabinho (32, Brazil, midfielder; last club: Al-Ittihad), Daichi Kamada (29, Japan, midfielder; last club: Crystal Palace), Luka Modric (40, Croatia, midfielder; last club: Milan — have a one-year extension option.
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