The summer 2026 transfer window has officially slammed shut — and it has left behind one of the most extraordinary collections of unsigned footballers in the history of the game. Decorated Champions League winners, World Cup veterans, Premier League title holders and Ballon d’Or winners are all available on a free transfer. Here is the definitive Free Agent XI of 2026.
Free Agent XI: At a Glance
| Position | Player | Age | Last Club | Why Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Neto | 37 | Botafogo | Contract terminated |
| RB | Dani Carvajal | 34 | Real Madrid | Contract expired |
| CB | Francesco Acerbi | 38 | Inter Milan | Contract expired |
| CB | David Alaba | 34 | Real Madrid | Contract expired |
| LB | Raphaël Guerreiro | 30 | Bayern Munich | Contract expired |
| CM | Paul Pogba | 33 | Monaco | Contract terminated |
| DM | Yves Bissouma | 30 | Tottenham Hotspur | Contract expired |
| AM | Philippe Coutinho | 34 | Vasco da Gama | Contract terminated |
| RW | Riyad Mahrez | 35 | Al Ahli | Contract terminated |
| LW | Jadon Sancho | 26 | Free Agent | Permanent home sought |
| ST | Karim Benzema | 38 | Al Hilal | Released |
GK — Neto, 37 (Last Club: Botafogo)
Neto returned to Brazilian football in August 2025 when Bournemouth let him leave for Botafogo, but the move lasted barely a year. The 37-year-old Brazilian terminated his contract with the Rio club this summer and is now a free agent once again.
A Serie A and Coppa Italia winner with Juventus and a Copa del Rey winner with both Valencia and Barcelona, Neto has long operated as a dependable understudy at the highest level, including two years at Bournemouth and a loan spell as backup at Arsenal. His experience across four major European leagues makes him a low-risk pickup for any club needing reliable goalkeeping depth.
RB — Dani Carvajal, 34 (Last Club: Real Madrid)
One of the most decorated right-backs in the history of football. Carvajal has already made clear that he intends to continue playing, meaning one of the most decorated defenders of his generation remains available.
He has spent the summer training at the Spanish Football Federation’s facilities in Las Rozas alongside fellow free agent Joselu, and no club has yet been credibly linked with a signing. Real Madrid sanctioned the exits of both Carvajal and Alaba after injury-hit final seasons at the Bernabéu.
CB — Francesco Acerbi, 38 (Last Club: Inter Milan)
Inter have just allowed Francesco Acerbi to leave, with the 38-year-old still able to do a job after 28 appearances for the Italians last term. Despite his age, the veteran Italian defender’s reading of the game and positional intelligence remain a genuine asset for any club looking for experienced defensive cover.
CB — David Alaba, 34 (Last Club: Real Madrid)
Alaba left Real Madrid in May after five years at the club, during which he made 131 appearances and won 11 trophies, including two Champions League titles. The Austrian can operate at centre-back, left-back or in midfield and previously enjoyed more than a decade at Bayern Munich.
His main problem is not quality but fitness — serious knee injuries significantly reduced his playing time in recent years. At the beginning of August, interest from AC Milan and Inter Miami was reported, but no deal with either club materialised before the deadline. MLS and a return to Germany are among the possible destinations.
LB — Raphaël Guerreiro, 30 (Last Club: Bayern Munich)
The former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich player is capable of operating across the left side or in central midfield and has been without a club since leaving Bayern in July. Guerreiro fell five games short of a century of appearances for Bayern Munich during his time at the club — a fine player available entirely for free.
CM — Paul Pogba, 33 (Last Club: Monaco)
Monaco brought Pogba back into football after his 18-month doping ban ended in March 2025, but he only played six times in Ligue 1 for them before his deal was terminated due to persistent injuries. Monaco and Pogba agreed to terminate a contract that had been scheduled to run until June 2027 — another chapter that never truly got going.
There will inevitably be questions over fitness, but few available midfielders possess Pogba’s combination of physicality, passing range, and experience. The 2018 World Cup winner is still only 33 years old.
DM — Yves Bissouma, 30 (Last Club: Tottenham Hotspur)
Tottenham confirmed in June that Bissouma would leave following the expiry of his contract after four seasons in north London. He made 111 appearances for Spurs and was part of the side that won the 2025 Europa League.
Knee and muscle injuries derailed his final season, limiting him to just 11 Premier League appearances. At 30, he is still a physical, ball-winning midfielder capable of adding toughness to any squad, with Fulham among the clubs credited with interest.
AM — Philippe Coutinho, 34 (Last Club: Vasco da Gama)
At 34 years of age, Coutinho is young enough to still be able to pull the strings in the centre of the park anywhere in the world. A star name during his time with Liverpool, he was seen as a huge loss to Anfield when he joined Barcelona.
Coutinho terminated his contract with Brazilian side Vasco da Gama in February, saying he was “tired mentally,” and the former Liverpool and Barcelona star remains without a club. The MLS has long been linked with the South American as a potential destination.
RW — Riyad Mahrez, 35 (Last Club: Al Ahli)
One of the greatest African players of his generation is searching for his next club. Mahrez left Al Ahli this summer after scoring 37 goals and providing 50 assists in 122 appearances across three seasons in Saudi Arabia, including back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles.
Mahrez enjoyed enormous success in England, winning the extraordinary 2015-16 Premier League title with Leicester before collecting four more league titles and the Champions League at Manchester City. He also appeared at the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Algeria. At 35, clubs would be signing him for the short term, but his technique and ability in the final third remain obvious attractions. Reports suggest he has reached an agreement in principle with Al-Shabab.
LW — Jadon Sancho, 26 (Last Club: Free Agent)
Arguably the most intriguing free agent on the list because of his age. Sancho is still only 26 and is searching for a permanent home after a turbulent few seasons involving Manchester United and loan spells away from Old Trafford. The England international has the profile, age and ability to rebuild his career entirely — and at 26, whichever club lands him could be getting one of the best value signings in world football.
ST — Karim Benzema, 38 (Last Club: Al Hilal)
Benzema was one of the world’s best strikers. A five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid — for whom he scored 354 goals in 648 games — and winner of the Ballon d’Or in 2022, the France international joined Al Hilal in February after a spell with fellow Saudi side Al Ittihad. His future is unclear, though there has been speculation he could retire.
