World Cup 2026 will undoubtedly unearth some talents whose market value rockets following the tournament. Tottenham have moved swiftly to secure similar performers previously.
Despite most of Europe’s elite currently competing across North America, transfer talk continues to rumble on. Spurs have already completed some astute business this summer, announcing their fourth new arrival on Wednesday.
Thus far, Roberto De Zerbi’s side have brought in Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka on free transfers. They’ve also splashed out £52million for Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke.
However, once World Cup 2026 wraps up, there could be some who shine so brilliantly that Tottenham’s attention is captured. It wouldn’t be the first time, as Mirror Football examines players Spurs have recruited following their World Cup displays.
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Tottenham forked out £47.5m when they secured Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest in September 2023, mere months after he caught the eye for Wales at World Cup 2022. The winger emerged from the bench for the Welsh in each of their group fixtures. This marked Wales’ first World Cup appearance since 1958.
View 5 ImagesJohnson played for Wales at World Cup 2022 in Qatar(Image: Getty)
His speed and attacking intent were plain to see, and he provided a glimmer of hope for his nation, who drew with the USA and suffered defeats in their remaining two group clashes against Iran and England.
Spurs made their move and, while his stint in N17 wasn’t exactly earth-shattering, he did net the decisive goal that secured them the Europa League title in 2025, defeating Manchester United 1-0. Johnson departed the club in January 2026 and linked up with Crystal Palace for £35m, having finished as Tottenham’s leading scorer throughout the 2024/25 season.
France may have endured a torrid World Cup 2010, finishing bottom of their group and suffering defeats to Mexico and South Africa. Yet they perhaps wouldn’t have even been there without William Gallas, who joined Tottenham, despite his previous association with Arsenal, shortly after the tournament concluded.
In 2009, France faced the Republic of Ireland across a two-legged play-off, with the victors earning a place in South Africa. With the tie deadlocked at 1-1 on aggregate during the second leg, a now-notorious incident, dubbed the Hand of Gaul, unfolded.
View 5 ImagesGallas couldn’t stop France from crashing out of the group stages in 2010(Image: Getty)
Thierry Henry chased a deep free kick in extra time and used his hand to bring the ball under control. He rolled it across the goalmouth and Gallas headed home, sending his nation to the World Cup in the most contentious of fashions.
Although he wasn’t quite a standout performer at the tournament itself, he did feature for every single minute and Spurs secured his signature on a free transfer after his Arsenal deal expired that summer. He had previously turned out for Chelsea, but flourished at Tottenham, making 78 appearances and being handed the captaincy on occasion.
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Jurgen Klinsmann’s signing represented a remarkable coup for the club, after he had dazzled on the pitch with Germany at World Cup 1994. The striker netted five goals in just five matches, bowing out in the quarter-finals, and was considered one of Europe’s deadliest forwards at the time.
Then-Spurs chairman Alan Sugar was determined to make a statement that summer and delivered, persuading Klinsmann to swap Monaco for north London in a £2m deal. He certainly didn’t disappoint, netting 30 goals across all competitions, becoming iconic for his belly slide celebration and claiming the FWA Footballer of the Year award.
View 5 ImagesThe German was on fire at World Cup 1994(Image: Getty)
Klinsmann also finished runner-up to George Weah in the 1995 Ballon d’Or before departing for Bayern Munich. He returned in 1997 to almost single-handedly rescue the club from relegation, once again etching his name into Spurs folklore.
On the subject of remarkable signings, Tottenham’s double acquisition of Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa in 1978 didn’t merely alter the club’s direction, but transformed the entire landscape of English football.
View 5 ImagesArdiles and Villa are Spurs royalty(Image: Getty)
Prior to 1978, a strict prohibition existed on British clubs recruiting players from overseas. This was lifted immediately after the World Cup and Spurs manager Keith Burkinshaw wasted no time in flying out to Argentina to pull off the ultimate double deal.
Ardiles and Villa were brought in for a combined £750,000, immediately after the duo had helped steer Argentina to World Cup glory. Both are undisputed Tottenham legends, having contributed to the club’s 1981 FA Cup triumph and the 1984 UEFA Cup success.
Villa departed Tottenham in 1983 and will always be remembered for his strike in the 1981 FA Cup final replay against Manchester City. Ardiles remained a Spurs player for ten years and even came back to take charge of them in 1993.
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