England have the second-highest squad market value going into the World Cup – and are pipped to top spot by one of their old enemies.
Thomas Tuchel’s side weighs in at a whopping £1.13billion, with Jude Bellingham the most expensive player at £121.08million, but that’s not enough to rule the roost.
France come out on top with a staggering market value of £1.32bn, blowing everyone else out of the water.
The most expensive star at his disposal is Kylian Mbappe, who is worth a tournament-high £173m alongside Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland.
Spain are the only other billion-quid side on £1.09bn. Perhaps surprisingly, last time’s winners, Argentina, only rank eighth, with Lionel Messi and Co. apparently worth £707.76m.
Transfermarkt’s squad value numbers are somewhat disappointing for the hosts. The United States place 18th on £327.03m ($440.44m), Canada are 26th with £175.58m, and Mexico are just below them in 27th on £168.27m.
England have to settle for second behind France in the World Cup’s most valuable squad race
France are among the favourites with an eye-watering squad value of £1.32billion
Jordan (in white) are the ‘cheapest’ team with a squad value of £16.89million – less than Harry Kane is paid at Bayern Munich
World Cup debutants Jordan – formerly managed by Harry Redknapp – take home the wooden spoon with the basement squad market value.
The Middle Eastern squad accumulate a value of £16.89m, which is understood to be lower than Harry Kane’s base salary at Bayern Munich of around £21.5m.
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Qatar, who hosted the last World Cup, are just above them with an estimated squad cost of £17.24m, while the 2034 hosts, Saudi Arabia, only muster enough for 41st on £32.09m.
According to Transfermarkt’s figures, England massively outmuscle their Group L opponents. Croatia, Ghana, and Panama combine to a total value of £563.27m, barely over half of England’s figure.
There’s a steep descent outside the top eight, with Norway considered ‘the best of the rest’ on £520.28m, with Haaland accounting for just under a third of that.
The most expensive nation outside of Europe and South America is the Ivory Coast. A crop boasting talents such as Amad Diallo and Liverpool target Yan Diomande registers at £459.07m, enough for 11th place.
Meanwhile, the most expensive Asian team is Wataru Endo’s Japan, who beat England 1-0 at Wembley in March. They are valued in 22nd at £241.16m.
Of course, these numbers are not a specific indication of quality. There is subjectivity in how Transfermarkt values the players. Moreover, players’ contract lengths and position play a huge role in their value. A team taking more defensive players on expiring deals will see their squad value lowered.
However, it is a reasonable guide to the rough levels we can expect from each national team.
