Every four years the World Cup offers a stage for players to reshape career trajectories and Nicolas Jackson arrives in 2026 needing one of those moments. The returning Chelsea loanee has seen a campaign of mixed returns: eight Bundesliga goals, half of them scored in the final five weeks of the season, and only 15 starts across the Bundesliga and Champions League compared with the 40 starts set out in his loan agreement.

That limited game time and intermittent productivity have left Jackson’s future at Chelsea unresolved. The tournament in Qatar could provide a platform to press his case to new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso or to attract interest elsewhere. Instead he has added another question mark.

Discipline has been a recurring issue. Late in 2024–25 Jackson received a red card 35 minutes into a costly Blues defeat against Newcastle United. He was sent off again two games into that year’s Club World Cup and barely featured afterwards, an episode that may have sealed his Chelsea fate in the eyes of then manager Enzo Maresca. This past season he missed two Bayern matches because of a red-card suspension precisely when he was being given opportunities to start.

In Senegal’s World Cup warmup friendly against Saudi Arabia this week, a 0–0 draw, Jackson was shown two quickfire yellow cards which equalled a red. The 24-year-old will not be forced to miss World Cup matches by that suspension, which will instead carry over to Senegal’s next friendly, but the manner of the dismissal is unhelpful. Recklessness and immaturity to be sent off in that way risk undermining the case he needs to make on the biggest stage.

Jackson’s situation is simple in its complexity: he needs minutes and impact, not interruptions. The World Cup remains available as an opportunity, but the red card in the warmup has made an already delicate reintegration at Chelsea more difficult and left his club future in limbo.

Barcelona will have 15 players at the World Cup this summer, but the club’s recruitment team will also be watching a group of possible additions competing in Qatar. The club has already completed the signing of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United and remains intent on strengthening defence, midfield and the forward line.

João Cancelo spent the second half of last season on loan at Barcelona from Al Hilal and is determined to make the move permanent. The versatile fullback will represent Portugal this summer and will be eager to impress to enhance his value in negotiations.

Marc Cucurella appears increasingly likely to leave Chelsea and has emerged as a contender for Spain’s left back position. Alejandro Grimaldo, Spain’s understudy in that role, is thought to be interested in a return to La Liga from Bayer Leverkusen, and Barcelona have been linked with him.

Two central defenders under observation will wear the Croatia shirt. Joško Gvardiol has been linked with a Spanish move this summer, with Real Madrid leading the race if he does not sign a new contract at Manchester City. Barcelona remain interested if the finances are right. Luka Vušković could be an alternative after a strong loan at Hamburg, and his parent club Tottenham Hotspur might be forced to sell following a difficult season.

Midfield interest centres on Bernardo Silva, available on a free transfer after his exit from Manchester City. Barcelona are described as being in the driver’s seat for any potential deal, which would likely be discussed after Portugal’s World Cup campaign.

On the wings, Barcelona have already added Gordon but remain linked with Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain, despite his second successive Champions League win with the French club. Up front, Marcus Rashford, who spent last season on loan from Manchester United, remains of interest. Barcelona will not trigger the permanent buy option but could open negotiations with Manchester United at a lower price; Rashford would also need to reduce his wages.

Julián Alvarez is described as the club’s priority target this summer, though talks with Atlético Madrid are expected to be awkward and expensive. Real Madrid saw their $173 million bid for the Argentina international rejected. For now, Alvarez will focus on securing a second World Cup title.

Group stage matches for each player are listed in the tournament schedules and will form key opportunities for Barcelona to assess potential signings.

MetLife Stadium will be one of the tournament’s centrepieces in 2026, staging group fixtures, a round of 32 and a round of 16 tie in East Rutherford and the final on July 19 where over 82,000 people will watch the 2026 world champion crowned. Several marquee group games and knockout matches will bring Brazil, France, England and Germany to New York and New Jersey, and five of the sport’s top players are guaranteed to appear at least once at MetLife.

Kylian Mbappé arrives for France’s match with Senegal on June 16. He is the reigning World Cup Golden Boot winner and picked up the individual honour, as well as a runners-up medal, back in 2022 when France fell short against Argentina in Qatar. Four years after the disappointing finish and eight years after Les Bleus won their second World Cup title, Didier Deschamps’s men return with a potent attack led by Mbappé. Despite the 27-year-old’s turbulent time at Real Madrid, he comes into the tournament off the back of a 42-goal season and appears fully free of the knee injury that hindered his 2025–26. Mbappé was held quiet in France’s two tune-up friendlies, but it’s only a matter of time before he gets back on the scoresheet, and he has his first opportunity to do so at MetLife Stadium against Senegal. Should he bag a brace, Mbappé will become France’s all-time leading goalscorer.

England’s meeting with Panama on June 27 will feature Harry Kane. The No. 9 scored 61 goals for Bayern Munich in 2025–26, a career-best haul ahead of the biggest tournament of his life. The Three Lions are one of the pre-tournament favourites, desperate to claim their first major honour since 1966, having finished as runners-up at the last two European championships. So much of England’s hopes rest on Kane’s shoulders, and there is likely no player in the world Thomas Tuchel would rather have leading his line than the captain, who is in the form of his life at age 32.

Brazil’s group meeting with Morocco on June 13 still carries huge star power. Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Díaz lead the visitors while Vinicius Junior and Neymar Jr headline Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. Another injury setback likely rules Neymar out of the opener at MetLife, leaving Vinicius Jr to take the spotlight. After eight seasons at Real Madrid, the winger brings confidence from 32 goal contributions for Los Blancos last season and a goal and an assist in Brazil’s 6–2 rout over Panama, performances he will seek to replicate as Brazil chase a record-extending sixth World Cup title.