How Tottenham have twice raided World Cup stages to land key signings

Tottenham have a track record of using the World Cup as a scouting window, and with the 2026 edition now underway across North America, history suggests Spurs could again move for players who catch the eye on the global stage.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side have already been active this summer, completing four signings ahead of the tournament’s conclusion. Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka arrived on free transfers, while Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke cost £52 million.

Brennan Johnson — World Cup 2022

The most recent example of Spurs acting on a World Cup audition came in September 2023, when they paid Nottingham Forest £47.5 million for winger Brennan Johnson. The Wales international had caught the eye at Qatar 2022, coming off the bench in each of his country’s three group games during their first World Cup appearance since 1958.

Johnson’s pace and directness were evident even in limited minutes, as Wales drew with the United States before losing to Iran and England. Tottenham moved quickly, and while his time in north London was mixed, he delivered one of the club’s most significant goals — the only strike in a 1-0 Europa League final victory over Manchester United in 2025. He finished as Spurs’ top scorer in 2024/25 before joining Crystal Palace for £35 million in January 2026.

William Gallas — World Cup 2010

The signing of William Gallas in the summer of 2010 raised eyebrows given his long association with Arsenal, but Tottenham moved for the French defender shortly after that year’s World Cup in South Africa.

Gallas had played a central, if deeply controversial, role in France even reaching the tournament. During a 2009 play-off against the Republic of Ireland, with the tie level at 1-1 on aggregate in extra time of the second leg, Thierry Henry controlled the ball with his hand before rolling it across goal for Gallas to head home. The goal, widely known as the Hand of Gaul, sent France to South Africa amid fierce protest from Ireland.

France’s tournament itself was a disaster — they finished bottom of their group, losing to Mexico and host nation South Africa — and Gallas was not among the standout performers. Nevertheless, Tottenham saw enough to bring him to White Hart Lane, where he added experience to their defensive options.

With World Cup 2026 still in progress, Spurs’ history suggests they will be watching closely for the next player to earn a move to north London on the back of a tournament performance.