FIFA plans to submit a proposal within the next year that would tighten the role of homegrown players and shift the priorities of many clubs. The precise definition of “homegrown” has not yet been determined, but the aim is clear: to accelerate the development of younger players and change how squads are assembled.

Under the current Premier League requirement a 25-player squad may include “no more than 17” players who are not homegrown, leaving eight slots reserved for locally trained talent. That rule does not mandate how often those players must appear on the pitch. A similar provision exists in the UEFA Champions League. Both competitions currently define a homegrown player as one who has played at least three full seasons between the ages of 15 and 21 within a club or another club in the same country.

The proposed change would alter more than registration lists. It could influence substitution patterns, transfer-window activity and long-term roster construction. Clubs might be deterred from importing large numbers of veteran stars and instead invest greater resources in their youth systems. For teams that rarely field young homegrown starters, the adjustment would be significant.

There are four Premier League teams that have not included a homegrown player under 21-years-old in their starting lineup this season: Brentford, Leeds United, Aston Villa and recently-relegated Burnley. Those clubs would be among the most affected, facing the task of accelerating development or finding new young talent quickly.

By contrast, Manchester City would be best placed. Thirty of their 33 league matches so far included a U21 homegrown player in the starting XI, per The Times. Nico O’Reilly, 21, worked his way up City’s youth ranks since the age of eight and has started 26 league matches this season.

Manchester United are also relatively well positioned. Twenty of their 34 league games featured a U21 homegrown starter, with Kobbie Mainoo influential. The 21-year-old has made 12 starts in the last 13 league matches, shining under interim manager Michael Carrick’s tutelage.

Erling Haaland reinforced his commitment to Manchester City at the start of 2025 by signing a 10-year contract extension, underlining that he is not planning to leave the Etihad despite persistent links to Barcelona and Real Madrid. He originally arrived on a five-year deal, and speculation about a move to one of Spain’s so-called big two has continued even after the new long-term agreement.

City have taken their time to settle into the 2025/26 campaign after last season’s disappointment. Haaland began the season scoring freely but has been less prolific since the turn of the year. Last week at Burnley he reached his 24th Premier League goal of the season and remains the leading candidate to reclaim the Golden Boot.

No matter how the final month unfolds, with City chasing a domestic treble, Haaland played down transfer talk and pointed to the club’s project. “I’m super happy, and I’m looking forward to what’s next because I think it’s exciting times for City as a club and also me as a player,” he told ESPN. “I’m looking forward to continuing with City.” He has also said that “exciting times” beckon at the Etihad.

Barcelona-linked talk resurfaced during their recent presidential contest when Victor Font said he was negotiating a “preferential option” to sign the striker should he decide to leave. Haaland’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, insisted at the time that his client is “very happy” in Manchester. Real Madrid were known to have shown interest before Haaland’s rise, but there is less evidence of a concrete move being planned for the Norway international.

Within City, Haaland’s statements provide reassurance: the club never expected to need a replacement for him in 2026. There has been substantial squad turnover since last summer, and a pair of key January signings have helped shape a side now capable of challenging on multiple fronts. City are planning midfield activity this summer, with Rodri potentially joining Bernardo Silva in the departure lounge, and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández both mentioned as targets. “It’s been a lot of change now the last couple of years, I would say in the last year,” the 25-year-old said.

The run-up to the 2026 World Cup is shaping as much around rehabilitation as selection. Across Europe several of the game’s most influential internationals are carrying injuries that have already curtailed club seasons or left their participation in doubt.

Lamine Yamal’s hamstring problem has ruled him out for the remainder of the season with Barcelona, though the club have insisted he should feature at the World Cup. Estêvão and Arda Güler have also suffered hamstring injuries and been ruled out for the rest of their club campaigns at Chelsea and Real Madrid respectively. Reports say Güler is still set to appear at his first World Cup.

Some long-serving figures have been struck down too. Luka Modrić suffered a fractured cheekbone in AC Milan’s match with Juventus and will miss the rest of the Serie A season. Cristian Romero suffered a season-ending knee injury in Roberto De Zerbi’s first game in charge of Tottenham and was in tears at the time; his availability for the tournament remains unclear.

Mohamed Salah’s club season ended with an unflattering final touch for Liverpool, and his previous World Cup involvement in Russia was affected by fitness concerns after a dislocated shoulder in the Champions League final. Éder Militão has again gone down with a hamstring issue and has been ruled out for the rest of the club season alongside Güler, with recent reports suggesting his injury may be worse than first feared.

Mikel Merino has been absent since undergoing surgery on a fractured foot in January but is expected to be considered by Spain. Dejan Kulusevski is still working his way back after nearly a year out and admitted: “I haven’t played in a year. I know what the chances are,” and added, “But if there is one person on the planet who can do this, I would bet on myself. And we are not just going there to participate. Sweden will aim to be one of the best.”

Other concerns include Matthijs de Ligt, sidelined since November with a back problem but back on the grass at Carrington, Reece James with a fresh hamstring setback, Mohammed Kudus whose comeback was ended by a new quad issue and Joško Gvardiol after a broken leg in the new year. For all of them the coming weeks will determine whether they travel in June.