With the group stages completed and the first round of the knockout phase of World Cup 2026 ongoing, a host of countries are already on their way home.
Tottenham Hotspur's Rodrigo Bentancur (Uruguay) and Andrew Robertson (Scotland) will be disappointed by their respective nations' group stage exits. Meanwhile, Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke's Netherlands, as well as Lucas Bergvall's Sweden, went crashing out in the Last 32 this week, with more set to join them in the departure lounge as the tournament progresses.
While players will undoubtedly be disappointed with their nation's misfortunes, it does provide Tottenham with ample opportunity to ramp up their preparations for the start of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign on several fronts.
Return to Pre-season
Over the next few weeks, eliminated players will have a chance to switch off and take their minds off football after a mentally and physically gruelling few weeks preparing for and competing in the North American humidity, high temperatures, and hype.
With Tottenham returning for preseason on July 10 and departing for the pre-season tour two weeks later, players will be able to join up with the squad for some portion of the tour, which will provide Robertson and Van Hecke with valuable time with their new teammates.
For head coach Roberto De Zerbi, the tour serves as a vital experience in working with a squad that he took over for just seven games towards the end of last year, and integrating his new signings will be a vital part of this process.
Solving players' futures
There has been much speculation about potential outgoings at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer as De Zerbi plans to overhaul the squad in a bid to further put his stamp on the club.
With seemingly imminent arrivals, competition in the engine room is set to be high this coming term. Lucas Bergvall has reportedly been subject to a bid from Nottingham Forest as they look to replace Elliot Anderson. However, Tottenham have sent a clear message to their Premier League rivals, claiming that they will have to significantly increase their bid if they are to secure the Swede's signing.
Furthermore, the future of midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, whose Senegal were knocked out in heartbreaking fashion at the hands of Belgium tonight, is unknown. The arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes are sure to knock Sarr further down the midfield pecking order, and with the club looking to recoup some of the funds spent in the window so far, difficult conversations may be awaiting Sarr when he returns to Hotspur Way.
Elsewhere in defence, Luka Vušković will be in action for Croatia against Portugal on Friday. The 19-year-old has reportedly finalised his move to Brighton this evening. Having already bolstered the backline, there is sure to be more than one departure. The club will be monitoring the progress of Cristian Romero's Argentina and Kevin Danso's Austria, with the former more likely to leave this summer.
There will always be speculation around this time of year, and as far as De Zerbi and Tottenham are concerned, the sooner these individuals return home, the better. It will give them a chance to sit down with players in person, answer some of these questions, and find resolutions that suit all parties.
Incoming Transfers
Similar to outgoings, targeting and contacting potential incomings can prove challenging when players are on international duty. Spurs did manage to secure the signings of Andy Robertson, Jan Paul Van Hecke and Marcos Senesi, but their interest isn't likely to stop there, with a host of World Cup talent likely to be on De Zerbi's shopping list.
One name that has been reported this week is USA and Monaco attacker Folarin Balogun, who spent some time as a youngster trialling at Spurs before eventually joining the other North London side's academy. Another said to be on the club's radar is RB Leipzig's Norwegian winger Antonio Nusa, who helped his nation to the Last 16 of the World Cup with a goal in this week's 2-1 win over Côte d'Ivoire.
As the number of teams involved at World Cup 2026 dwindles, De Zerbi and Tottenham's hierarchy are sure to be on high alert, with a high focus on player recovery and return, sorting out the futures that need sorting, and bringing in the talent they need to once again bring Tottenham back among the top places of the Premier League in 2026/27.
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