Eight men's footballers hoping for a big 2026

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Antoine Semenyo, Igor Thiago, Claudio Braga and Nico O'Reilly are all hoping for big years for differing reasons

Footballers across the globe will be hoping for a big year for a multitude of reasons.

They can range from impressing their new clubs, hoping for transfers, World Cup dreams and returning from injury frustrations to trying to win a first trophy.

BBC Sport has a look at some players from leagues in Britain and abroad who really fancy having a 2026 to remember.

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Antoine Semenyo will hope to make his European debut later this season

Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo is close to joining Manchester City after they activated a £65m release clause in his contract.

The 25-year-old is likely to complete the move after making a final appearance for the Cherries in Saturday's game against his soon-to-be-club's title rivals Arsenal.

Most of the big-spending clubs in the Premier League had been interested in the Ghana international after he became one of the stars of the 2025-26 season.

Semenyo is the third top scorer in the league with nine goals, plus has three assists.

And now the former Bristol City man will finally have the opportunity to play in Europe - and the Champions League.

But the question is - and this is why Semenyo is facing a big 2026 - how quickly can he break into the City XI with so much competition for attacking places?

Troy Parrott

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Troy Parrott reacts to Ireland fan celebrations

AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott will be looking to continue his international heroics in 2026.

His five goals in four days against Portugal and Hungary got the Republic of Ireland to March's World Cup play-offs.

But it is a big year for the 23-year-old ex-Tottenham man at club level too.

He has scored 16 goals in 22 games for AZ this season, leading to suggestions he could be on his way back to one of Europe's top leagues.

Nico O'Reilly

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Nico O'Reilly, player of the match in Manchester City's recent win over Real Madrid, is hoping to go to the World Cup with England

Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly is an attacking midfielder by trade - but his hopes of going to the World Cup with England probably rely on him continuing to play at left-back.

The 20-year-old played the Three Lions' final two World Cup qualifiers at left-back - his first two caps - having played in that position for City in Rayan Ait-Nouri's absence.

He seemed to have kept his City place in that spot after Ait-Nouri's return from injury and with the Algerian now at the Africa Cup of Nations - O'Reilly has longer to cement that role.

Eli Junior Kroupi

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Eli Junior Kroupi caught the eye in his first few weeks in English football

Can French teenager Eli Junior Kroupi build on his electric start to life in the Premier League for Bournemouth?

His first four league goals came at an average of 64 minutes per goal goal, even better than Erling Haaland was managing at that stage.

The goals stopped flowing quite so much after that, but with five goals in the first half of his debut Premier League season the 19-year-old will turn heads if he can maintain this form.

Harvey Elliott

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Harvey Elliott has not played a game since 2 October

Harvey Elliott needs to start playing games of football.

The 22-year-old moved from Liverpool to Aston Villa on loan, with an obligation to buy if he plays in 10 Premier League games.

But that seems unlikely to happen - and he has dropped out of contention entirely. His last game was on 2 October, almost three months ago.

Unfortunately for Elliott he cannot join another team in January because he played for Liverpool in August - so he either needs to try to break into the Villa team or go back to Anfield and try to play there.

Yoane Wissa

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Yoane Wissa made his Champions League debut in December against Bayer Leverkusen

It might seem strange to put a striker who cost £55m last summer on this list, but Yoane Wissa could do with a big 2026.

An injury on international duty for DR Congo ruled Wissa out until making his Newcastle debut on 6 December.

But the 29-year-old seems to be making up for lost time - and has scored in his first two Toon starts.

Ex-Brentford man Wissa had never played in Europe before this season, so will really want to prove himself at the top level now that he is back.

Igor Thiago

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Igor Thiago has scored 12 goals in 18 games for Brentford this season

Could Brentford striker Igor Thiago play himself into Brazil's World Cup squad?

The 24-year-old has never won a cap at any age level, or even been in a senior squad, but he has 11 Premier League goals - only behind Erling Haaland.

If he ends up hitting 20, could Carlo Ancelotti ignore him? And could the Bees keep him?

Claudio Braga

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The Norwegian second tier was the highest level Claudio Braga had played at before this season

Uncapped Portuguese forward Claudio Braga has been one of the key attacking players in Hearts' remarkable challenge for the Scottish Premiership table.

The 26-year-old, a summer signing from Norwegian second-tier side Aalesunds, has scored eight goals in the league so far.

He had never played in a top flight before this season. Now could he help them achieve the seemingly impossible and win the Scottish title?