John Stones, 32, England (Last club: Manchester City)
He has now left City after ten years at the club, during which he won 15 major trophies. Selected in the England squad by Thomas Tuchel despite recent injury problems, Stones has most recently been linked with former club Everton and Italian giants AC Milan.
Casemiro, 34 years old, Brazil (Last club: Manchester United)
Sacked by United due to huge wages despite outstanding final campaign at Old Trafford. Casemiro’s form at the World Cup was patchy, but he scored an invaluable equalizer in Brazil’s comeback win over Japan in the round of 16. Casemiro is expected to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami after the World Cup.
David Alaba, 33, Austria (Last club: Real Madrid)
This summer he left Real Madrid after five years at the club. The former Bayern Munich star enjoyed a legendary club career that included 12 league titles and four Champions League victories. He was also voted Austrian Footballer of the Year 10 times. Despite rumors of interest from a number of clubs as his contract with Real Madrid comes to an end, Alaba has yet to sign with anyone.
Fabinho, 32, Brazil (Last club: Al Ittihad)
The former Liverpool midfielder has ended his stint in the Saudi Pro League. In an interview with Marca in January, Fabinho said he was in no rush to decide his future and would like to return to Europe at some stage. At the World Cup, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti mainly used him off the bench and he is clearly an important part of his team.
Mohamed Salah, 33, Egypt (Last club: Liverpool)
Salah’s last few months at Anfield have been rocky as his relationship with manager Arne Slote appeared to be on the rocks. Both have already left Liverpool. Salah is widely expected to move to the Saudi Pro League after the World Cup ends, but for now his focus is solely on leading Egypt in the knockout stages.
James Rodriguez, 34, Colombia (Last club: Minnesota United)
MLS team Minnesota United has the option to extend Rodriguez’s contract by an additional six months before the end of the year. That hasn’t happened yet and whether that’s realistic is questionable given the Colombian playmaker made just six appearances in the first half of the season and started just twice remains in question. Rodriguez could soon be looking for his fifth club in less than three years.
Luka Modric, 40, Croatia (Last club: Milan)
Milan have the option to extend Modric’s contract for another year, but it is unclear whether this will happen and whether the experienced midfielder will continue his career elsewhere or leave altogether. Modric struggled mightily after Croatia’s defeat to England in the World Cup group stage but bounced back with wins over Panama and Ghana to help set up a mouth-watering knockout showdown with Portugal.
Vozinha, 40, Cape Verde (Last club: Chaves)
The Cape Verde goalkeeper went viral for his heroics in his side’s opening 0-0 draw with Spain and has since helped them reach the knockout stages for the first time, where they will face Lionel Messi’s Argentina on Friday. The 40-year-old footballer told a Brazilian journalist that his contract with Portuguese second division club Chaves has ended, but he wants to continue playing.
Full list of players still competing in the World Cup who are out of contract
– David Alaba, 33 years old, Austria (Last club: Real Madrid)
– Nabil Bentaleb, 31, Algeria (Last club: Lille)
– Casemiro, 34 years old, Brazil (Last club: Manchester United)
– Fabinho, 32 years old, Brazil (Last club: Al Ittihad)
– Gideon Mensah, 27 years old, Ghana (Last club: Auxerre)
– Thomas Meunier, 34 years old, Belgium (Last club: Lille)
– Luka Modric, 40, Croatia (Last club: Milan)
– Abdul Mumin, 27 years old, Ghana (Last club: Rayo Vallecano)
– Orjan Nyland, 35 years old, Norway (Last club: Sevilla)
– Thomas Partey, 32 years old, Ghana (Last club: Villarreal)
– James Rodriguez, 34, Colombia (Last club: Minnesota United)
– Mohamed Salah, 33 years old, Egypt (Last club: Liverpool)
– Xaver Schlager, 28 years old, Austria (Last club: RB Leipzig)
– John Stones, 32, England (Last club: Manchester City)
– Vozinha, 40, Cape Verde (Last club: Chaves)