Eight men’s footballers hoping for a big 2026

For a variety of reasons, football players from all over the world will be hoping for a successful year.

They can range from attempting to win their first trophy to impressing their new clubs, hoping for transfers, World Cup ambitions, and recovering from injury pain.

The 25-year-old will likely complete the move after making his debut for the Cherries against his soon-to-be-leaguered Arsenal counterpart on Saturday.

After his inclusion as one of the stars of the 2025-26 season, the majority of Premier League’s major-spending clubs had been interested in him.

With nine goals and three assists, Semenyo ranks third in the league in terms of goals.

The former Bristol City man will now finally have the chance to play in Europe and the Champions League.

Troy Parrott, the AZ Alkmaar striker, will aim to carry out his heroics in 2026.

The Republic of Ireland advanced to the World Cup play-offs in March with five goals scored in four days against Portugal and Hungary.

However, the 23-year-old former Tottenham man has a significant club year ahead of him.

Nico O’Reilly, a left-back for Manchester City, is a skilled attacking midfielder, but his chances of winning the World Cup with England depend largely on him staying there.

In his first two caps, the 20-year-old played at left-back for City in Rayan Ait-Nouri’s absence, making it one of the team’s final two World Cup qualifiers.

Even better than Erling Haaland was able to at the time, with an average of 64 minutes per goal.

Elliott, Harvey needs to start playing games of football.

The 22-year-old signed for Aston Villa on loan and is required to pay up if he participates in ten Premier League games.

But it seems unlikely, and he has completely gotten out of the woods. His most recent game was on October 2nd, almost three months ago.

Yoane Wissa could use a significant 2026 increase, even though it might seem strange to list a striker who cost £55m last summer.

Wissa was sidelined until he made his Newcastle debut on December 6 due to an injury sustained while on international duty for the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The 29-year-old has scored in his first two Toon starts, but he seems to be making up for lost time.

Igor Thiago, a Brentford striker, could he make the Brazil squad for the World Cup?

The 24-year-old has 11 Premier League goals, just behind Erling Haaland, and has never won a cap at any age level or even played for a senior team.

Claudio Braga, an uncapped Portuguese international, has been one of the key attacking players in Hearts’ remarkable search for the Scottish Premiership.

The 26-year-old, who signed for Norwegian second-tier Aalesunds in the summer, has so far scored eight goals in the league.