5 Players to Watch in their Domestic Leagues from the 2026 World Cup
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Mon Jul 20, 2026, 4:00 pm ET
Read Time: 6 minutes
FIFA World Cup
After a glorious extended tournament, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has come to a close. Congratulations to Spain, who are now the reigning EURO and World Champions after defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. The competition brought soccer to the forefront of the American people's minds, something that doesn't happen quite often. Many are looking to follow some of these players throughout their club season until the next international tournament. Everyone knows Erling Haaland, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe. But here are some of the more underrated players to watch and follow until 2030.
Check out the best odds on the market and tons of picks in different soccer leagues across the world.
5 Players to Watch Domestically
Ismael Saibari is making the move to the Bundesliga, where he will play for Bayern Munich this fall
Ismael Saibari: Morocco, Bayern Munich (Bundesliga)
Ismael Saibari was Morocco's leading goal scorer in the 2026 World Cup, netting three throughout five matches, despite sitting against France. He's spent the last few seasons with PSV in the Dutch Eredivisie, scoring double digit goals in each of the last two seasons with 20+ starts in each. This includes 11 goals and assists in 2024-25, and 15 goals with eight assists last season in league play. Plus he has Champions League experience, netting seven goals across 18 UCL starts with an assist.
The 25 year old is making the move to Bayern Munich, where he likely plays behind Harry Kane. But expect him to see the final half hour of plenty of matches, as well as starting against some of the weaker Bundesliga opponents. The Moroccan has 12 goals in 35 caps for the senior team.
Cucurella head to La Liga where he will play left back for Real Madrid
Marc Cucurella: Spain, Real Madrid (La Liga)
As a former left back, Cucurella was the MVP of the tournament for me. Not only did the (almost) 28 year old fullback add two assists, he was involved plenty in the attack, and he was arguably the best defender at all times. Tasked with locking down Pedro Neto, Leandro Trossard, Ousmane Dembele, and Lionel Messi in the knockouts is no easy task. He held them all (and more) scoreless.
After spending the past four years in the English Premier League with Chelsea, Cucurella makes the move to his home country to rock a Real Madrid kit. This guy has the spirit of Marcelo inside him, and he's the prefect fit to lockdown his international teammate, Lamine Yamal, in El Clásico.
Brian Brobbery: Netherlands, Sunderland (EPL)
Brobbery played fantastic as the No. 9 for the Dutch this tournament, scoring three goals, co-leading the team with Cody Gakpo. After a couple standout seasons with Ajax, the 24 year old made the move to Sunderland last year, making 22 starts for the Black Cats, netting seven goals with an assist. There was talks of him moving to Bayern, but after signing Saibari, they are set. But Brobbery could be set for a breakout Premier League season.
Sunderland is one of my favorite dark horses in the EPL, as they play very sound, tactical, defensive soccer, looking to shutout their opponent. Maybe Brobbery can make some noise for them offensively this year, alongside Granit Xhaka, who is pure class on the pitch.
Sebastian Berhalter and the Vancouver Whitecaps are in first place of the Western Conference
Sebastian Berhalter: United States, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS)
I had to throw a USMNT player on here, and Flo Balogun was the easy answer. He plays in Ligue 1 for AS Monaco, but may be making a move after his phenomenal tournament. We will find out in a month or so. But the MLS is back in action, which means Sebastian Berhalter is back in action with the Whitecaps. They are currently leading the Western Conference, and the 25 year old has six goals and four assists to help them.
He was a spark off the bench for the USMNT, almost scoring a screamer after coming on against Belgium. But he can be a game changer, he's a set piece specialist, and I definitely liked what I saw from him attitude-wise despite being minutes away from being eliminated in the World Cup. He'll be a staple of the team in 2030, so see if he can held Vancouver capture the MLS Cup this fall.
Julian Quinones led the Saudi Pro League in goals last year with 33 in just 31 starts
Julián Quiñones: Mexico, Al Qadsiah (Saudi Pro League)
The 29 year old just led Mexico with four goals in the FIFA World Cup, adding an assist as well. He bounced around several Liga MX teams before heading over to the Saudi Pro League where he has excelled for Al Qadsiah, leading them to a top four finish the past two seasons. In 2024-25, he had 20 goals and five assists in 28 starts, and followed that up with 33 goals in 31 starts last year leading the entire league.
After his standout performance, some EPL teams came calling, such as Aston Villa and Chelsea. But apparently his club views him as untouchable, and of course they should. He could easily notch another 30+ goals this upcoming season.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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