2026 World Cup Stars and Hair Transplant Speculation: 5 Footballers to Watch Out For

Key Takeaways

1. The 2026 World Cup will place footballers’ changing appearances under fresh scrutiny
   Well-established stars, with or without hair transplants, will be at the 2026 World Cup, showcasing their talent and helping their teams compete for the prestigious trophy.
   
2. Hair transplant conversations are now part of modern football culture
   Hair transplant has become more openly discussed, helped by high-profile football figures such as Wayne Rooney and Jurgen Klopp.
   
3. While some football figures have confirmed hair transplants, other players at the 2026 World Cup with suspected hair transplants have not publicly commented.
   

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, some of football’s biggest names will once again be in the spotlight, not only for their performances on the pitch but also for the changes in their appearance over the years.

In the last decade, the culture around hair transplants has changed dramatically. What was once a private or rarely discussed procedure has become far more accepted, accessible, and openly talked about, partly because of high-profile football figures.

@treatmentroomslondon

Has your FAV celebrity had a hair transplant? 🤨 TTR thetreatmentroomslondon #hairtransplant fuehairtransplant surgery hair hairtransplantlondon fyp unshavenhairtransplant shavenhairtransplant ufuehairtransplant besthairtransplant besthairtransplantlondon #celebrity #celebrityhairtransplant #elonmusk lebron james #waynerooney #stevecarell #jimmycarr #jordanpeterson #jeremypiven #jamesnesbitt #mosalah #androstownsend #joeswash #dimitarberbatov

♬ original sound – Hair Transplant Clinic – Hair Transplant Clinic

With stars like David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, and Jürgen Klopp openly discussing or displaying their hair transplants, the procedure has shifted from a taboo subject to a widely accepted choice.

Historically, there is always an increased interest in hair transplants when football stars have a hair transplant, with more people getting some form of validation of confidence in doing the same.

Mohammed Salah

Known as the Egyptian King, Mo Salah has been a big influence both with his National team and at the club level. In the 2024/2025 period, there was a sharp difference in his hairline when compared to the previous year, with many speculating he had a hair transplant.

Although Salah has not publicly confirmed this, visible changes around his temples and hairline have led to comparisons with previous seasons and give a convincing indication that a hair transplant may have been done.

Sadio Mané: Ex-Liverpool Player and Senegalese Captain

Sadio Mané is a well-known ex-Liverpool striker with a successful career and a strong influence on the Senegalese national team. His hairline recession started earlier in his career, with visible hair loss in the temple area. Over the years, he has developed a fuller hairline, with no public admission of a hair transplant.

The new hairline has consistently remained thick and full, with speculation that he has had a hair transplant. As he leads the Senegal national team in the FIFA World Cup 2026, he is expected to be a formidable force, helping his team with both his experience and leadership qualities.

Harry Kane

Harry Kane’s hairline changes appear more subtle compared to those often mentioned in hair transplant discussions. Known for his prolific scoring ability and composed personality, Kane has maintained a fairly consistent look throughout his career.

However, some fans have pointed to earlier signs of a receding hairline, which sparked speculation about a previous hair transplant procedure. Over time, his hairline appears more balanced and fuller, particularly around the frontal area.

Unlike more dramatic transformations, a subtle approach would be designed to preserve a natural appearance, improve density, and avoid any obvious change to his overall look.

Gabriel Magalhães

Gabriel Magalhães reportedly had a hair transplant in 2022 after a noticeable change in his hairline. The procedure was documented by the Turkish clinic that performed it, showing the improved hairline design, treatment process, and immediate post-transplant results.

Before the procedure, Gabriel had visible temple recession, especially around 2019 and 2020, suggesting early male pattern hair loss. By age 25, he appeared to have chosen surgery to restore a straighter and fuller hairline. His results now look much denser and more natural.

We estimate he had had an FUE hair transplant, as images showed tiny wounds around the donor area. The successful procedure and full hairline also highlight the importance of careful graft planning, especially for younger patients who may need future procedures.

Noussair Mazraoui Hair Transplant

Manchester United right back Noussair Mazraoui has attracted attention for his noticeably fuller hairline, with many observers suggesting he may have undergone more than one hair transplant. 

By 2022, his hairline appeared stronger and more defined, and his naturally curly hair may have helped create the appearance of thicker coverage.

Further speculation followed in 2025 when Mazraoui appeared with signs commonly associated with a recent hair transplant, including a closely cropped style and visible redness around the graft recipient area. By early 2026, his hair again looked fuller, suggesting a successful top-up procedure.

While Mazraoui has not publicly confirmed having a hair transplant, previous footage and images from his time at Ajax and Bayern Munich, where he appeared to have a thinning hairline, along with pictures showing visible redness around the graft recipient area, strongly indicate that he may have had an FUE hair transplant.

Conclusion

At the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA and Mexico, footballers will once again be watched and analysed not only for on-field performance but for appearance and overall image and style.

We expect to see an increase in interest around established players with known hair transplant and speculations around players with any visible hairline changes at the World Cup.

The growing visibility of hair restoration in football reflects a wider cultural shift. More men are now comfortable exploring treatment options, and modern procedures such as FUE can produce natural-looking results when carefully planned and carried out by experienced surgeons.