World Cup form could propel All Whites Eli Just and Finn Surman to moves to top European leagues

Sunday, 28 June 2026

All Whites midfielder Eli Just, pictured in a duel for possession with Egypt’s Mostafa Ziko, has impressed at the 2026 World Cup finals.

ANALYSIS: Eli Just was a 10-year-old in 2010 watching Winston Reid star for the All Whites at the World Cup and score a life-changing move to West Ham United

Now, the 26-year-old - scorer of two goals in the All Whites’ 2026 World Cup opener against Iran - could be set for a career-defining shift of his own.

Such is the shop window nature of the Fifa World Cup.

Playing in a World Cup finals is a footballer's lifetime dream. Their first goal is team-focussed - Just and his mates went to North America with the aim of becoming the first All Whites team to qualify for the knockout rounds.

But, in the back of their minds, a World Cup is also a great chance to impress scouts from the world’’s big leagues.

Winston Reid celebrates his goal in the All Whites’ 1-1 draw with Slovakia at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Wynton Rufer went to the 1982 World Cup at 19 and secured a move to Switzerland’s FC Zurich - the start of a glittering 15-year career in Europe and Japan for Oceania’s Player of the Century.

Reid lived the dream in 2010. The Māori centre back who grew up in Denmark rocked up to South Africa as a 21-year-old on Midtjylland’s books. He played every game, scored against Slovakia and was head-hunted by West Ham for a lucrative 11-career at the famous London club.

Tim Payne has secured a late-career move to Paraguay, but Just and Finn Surman are the two current All Whites most likely in the talent spotters’ cross-hairs.

Will-o’-the-wisp Just arrived at this World Cup after a standout first season with Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League (SPL).

Eli Just on defensive duty against Egypt’s star striker Mohamed Salah.

He was Motherwell’s player-of-the-year, was a finalist for SPL player-of-the-year and made the Scottish Professional Footballers Association team of the year.

Motherwell are set to cash in if Just leaves - as he surely will after his World Cup goals and silken touches.

The All Whites winger who learned his craft at Wellington’s Olé Academy as a commuting kid from Palmerston North - could become New Zealand’s $10 million transfer.

Just was reportedly earning around $250,000 a year at Motherwell - a sum set to rise qualifying for the Europa League next season.

Oceania Player of the Century Wynton Rufer, pictured with Pele at the 2022 World Cup, was the first All White to get a move to Europe after the 1982 World Cup finals.

But a move to one of Europe’s top five leagues - England, Italy, Spain, Germany or France - or England’s Championship second tier, would set him up for life.

Salaries in the big leagues dwarf the returns to top All Blacks.

All Whites captain Chris Wood earns an estimated $NZ10 million a year at English Premier League club Nottingham Forest while Liberato Cacace (Wrexham) and Marko Stamenić (Swansea City) are on around $3 million and $1.6 million, respectively, according to the Salary Sport website figures.

Just’s form at Motherwell and his World Cup performances have impressed some sage judges.

Finn Surman (R), the All Whites’ goal scorer in a 3-1 loss to Egypt, wins the ball ahead of Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush.

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager David Pleat listed Just as one of “five breakout stars at the World Cup who could prosper in the Premier League” in a column in The Guardian. He rated the Kiwi as “an intelligent middle-to-front forward who catches defenders off balance with quick body swerves” who “has complemented the strength and hold-up play of Chris Wood”

“If he continues his improvement he will be on a bigger club’s radar.”

So should Surman - and not just because of his go-ahead headed goal in the 3-1 loss to Egypt.

The 22-year-old has already captained American Major League Soccer Club Portland Timbers, but has now proved his potential for bigger things.

Surman had an off-day in a World Cup warm-up defeat to Haiti but showed his character with great performances in a 1-0 loss to England and in the 2-2 tournament opening draw with Iran.

The South Islander would be first to say he could have done better to close down Mostafa Ziko in the air for Egypt’s first goal.

But he was defensively immense in the first half against EPL stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.

It's a cameo like that that can catch scouts’ eyes.

France thumped the All Whites at the 2003 Confederations Cup finals, but Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes spotted Ryan Nelsen matching Thierry Henry stride. He tracked him in the MLS and signed him in 2005.

Surman is only 22 and he looks to have the chops to play at a higher level.

Stamenić is only 24, and has had European Champions League experience with FC Copenhagen and Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade.

He and Joe Bell, a champion with Viking FK and a past Championship club target, were standouts in central midfield against Iran.

It may not be too late too for Sarpreet Singh, 27, to fulfil the promise he showed at Bayern Munich.. After a knee issue on loan at the Wellington Phoenix, Singh has shown glimpses at this World Cup that he’s worthier of a bigger club than Serbia’s TSC if his fitness holds.