World Cup 2026 is in full swing, and some of its brightest stars will play their way onto the transfer list of clubs like Tottenham
World Cup 2026 will no doubt produce some gems whose transfer stock skyrockets after the competition. Tottenham have pounced to sign similar performers in the past.
Even though most of Europe’s finest are currently competing in North America, transfer speculation continues. Spurs have already made some shrewd acquisitions this summer and on Wednesday, announced their fourth summer arrival.
So far, Roberto De Zerbi’s side have snapped up Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka on free transfers. They also parted with £52million for Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke.
But once World Cup 2026 concludes, there may be some stars who shone so brightly that Tottenham’s heads are turned. This has happened before, as football.london takes a look at players Spurs have signed after their exploits at World Cups.
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Brennan Johnson – World Cup 2022
Tottenham spent £47.5m when they signed Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest in September 2023, just a few months after he impressed for Wales at World Cup 2022.
The winger came off the bench for the Welsh in every one of their group games. This was Wales’ first trip to a World Cup since 1958. His pace and directness were there for all to see and he was a bright spark for his country, who drew with the USA and lost their other two group matches to Iran and England.
Spurs pulled the trigger and although his time in N17 wasn’t groundbreaking, he did grab the goal that won them the Europa League final in 2025, beating Manchester United 1-0. Johnson left the club in January 2026 and joined Crystal Palace for £35m, having been Tottenham’s top goal-scorer during the 2024/25 campaign.
William Gallas – World Cup 2010
France may have endured a dismal World Cup 2010, finishing dead last in their group and losing to Mexico and South Africa. But they perhaps wouldn’t have been there without William Gallas, who signed for Tottenham, despite being a former Arsenal player, soon after the tournament ended.
In 2009, France faced the Republic of Ireland in a two-legged play-off, with the winner heading to South Africa. With things locked at 1-1 on aggregate in the second leg, a now-infamous moment, dubbed the Hand of Gaul, took place.
Thierry Henry chased down a deep free kick in extra time and used his hand to control the ball. He squared it across the face of goal and Gallas headed home, sending his country to the World Cup in the most controversial of circumstances.
Although he wasn’t quite a hero at the tournament proper, he did start every single minute and Spurs signed him on a free transfer after his Arsenal contract expired in the summer. He had also played for Chelsea, but enjoyed his time with Tottenham, making 78 appearances and being handed the armband on occasion.
Jurgen Klinsmann – World Cup 1994
Jurgen Klinsmann’s arrival marked an immense coup for the club, after he had set the pitch alight with Germany at World Cup 1994. The striker bagged five goals in just five games, exiting in the quarter-finals, and was one of Europe’s finest marksmen at the time.
Then-Spurs chairman Sir Alan Sugar wanted to make a statement that summer and did, convincing Klinsmann to leave Monaco for north London in a £2m deal.
He did not disappoint either, scoring 30 goals in all competitions, becoming renowned for his belly slide celebration and winning the FWA Footballer of the Year award.
Klinsmann was also runner-up to George Weah in the 1995 Ballon d’Or and soon left for Bayern Munich. He returned in 1997 to almost single-handedly save the club from relegation, writing his name once again into Spurs folklore.
Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa – World Cup 1978
On the subject of coups, Tottenham’s double signing of Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa in 1978 didn’t just change the club’s trajectory, but the entire landscape of English football.
Until 1978, there was a strict ban on British clubs signing players from abroad. This was lifted right after the World Cup and Spurs manager Keith Burkinshaw swiftly flew to Argentina and pulled off the ultimate package deal.
Ardiles and Villa were signed for a combined £750,000, right after the pair had helped guide Argentina to the World Cup title. Both are uncontested Tottenham legends, having helped the club win the 1981 FA Cup and the 1984 UEFA Cup.
Villa left Tottenham in 1983 and will never be forgotten for his goal in the 1981 FA Cup final replay against Manchester City. Ardiles remained a Spurs player for a decade and even returned to manage them in 1993.
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