3 Serie A players who can be key at the World Cup | OneFootball

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is upon us. While Italy are sitting out another edition of the Mondiale, several stars from other countries plying their trade in the Italian top flight will be attending the premier quadrennial event looking to make their nation proud.

Here, we are looking at three relatively under-the-radar Serie A players who will be at the World Cup and could be key for both their national teams and their individual fortunes.

Leo Østigård

The 26-year-old Norwegian centre-back has been on the move frequently for most of his career, having only found his latest permanent home in Genoa this January.

However, after putting in crucial performances to ensure the Rossoblù’s Serie A survival, the former Brighton man has the chance to become the next sought-after Scandinavian former Seagull after Viktor Gyökeres this summer.

Norway are at the World Cup, set to field a top-heavy side led by none other than Erling Haaland. Playing in Group I alongside France, Norway, and Iraq, they’ll fancy their chances to at least ensure a third-place finish, which will allow eight teams to make the last 32.

Norway have a great chance to make the knockouts. Every step they take from thereon will raise the profile of some of the lesser-known players in the team, which Østigård is. He has also just begun regular regular appearances for the senior team. This is a great opportunity for him to show the larger football community what he brings to the table.

Ardon Jashari

The 23-year-old arrived at Milan last year amid a lot of expectations but never managed to nail down a starting spot under Max Allegri.

Now, with Allegri gone, alongside most of those who put him in the Milan dugout, Jashari’s future is up in the air. He could find himself in demand by whoever takes over at Milan next, or he could increase his number of suitors; either way, the World Cup has arrived at the perfect time for him.

Switzerland are in Group B, alongside Canada, Qatar, and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Knockout qualification from this group will be the bare minimum for them, and moreover they have a reputation of bloodying a few noses at big tournaments. At 23 Jashari is already regular presence in the Swiss midfield; if his Milan stint is already nearing its end, then Jashari has an excellent opportunity to show his potential suitors what he’s capable of.

Tarik Muharemović

Sassuolo’s Tarik Muharemović will be sharing Group B with Jashari representing Bosnia, also in with a good chance to reach the round of 32.

The 23-year-old centre-back is likely on his way out of Sassuolo, whose CEO Giovanni Carnevali was in London recently to discuss a potential Premier League move, with Spurs having been prominently linked with him recently.

For both him and Sassuolo, the World Cup has a arrived at the perfect time. If Bosnia & Herzegovina make it out of the group stage, it will mark a great achievement for the young nation and, by extension, would open more potential exit doors for Muharemović and a higher price tag for the Neroverdi.

Anshuman Joshi | GIFN