A new study has revealed the true market value of the squads poised to take part in this summer’s massively anticipated World Cup 2026.
The study, by World Cup Betting, analysed each player’s market value for every country’s officially announced squad that has qualified for the World Cup 2026, one of – if not the – most anticipated tournaments of the summer.
In second place (unfortunately) is England, with a squad value of £1,135,246,000. England’s squad value is a massive 261.54% higher than the average officially announced squad value of £314,006,191 – although England has finally been dethroned from the top spot, having had the highest market value competition squad for years.
Under manager Thomas Tuchel, England’s most valuable player is Jude Bellingham, with a market value of £121,324,000 – accounting for more than 10% of England’s total squad value.
In first place is France, with a staggering squad value of £1,279,101,600. France’s gargantuan squad value means that in player value alone, it eclipses the GDP of over 10 countries, including Dominica, Samoa, and Micronesia, among others. It’s also notably valued three times higher (307.35%) than the average squad value across all confirmed squads within the competition, at £314,006,191.
Kylian Mbappé is currently France’s most valuable player in the squad, with a current market value of £173,320,000 – accounting for more than 13% of the total value of the France squad.
Spain ranks in at third place, featuring a squad value of £1,097,982,200 – 249.67% higher than the World Cup’s officially announced average squad value of £314,006,191.
The most valuable player in the Spanish squad is youngster Lamine Yamal, who is valued at £173,320,000. His value alone accounts for more than 15% of Spain’s total squad market value.
Germany takes fourth place, with a squad value of £864,866,800, which is 175.43% above the average World Cup officially announced squad value. Germany’s most valuable player is Florian Wirtz, who is valued at £95,326,000.
Portugal ranks in at fifth place, with a squad value of £829,336,200, also 164.11% above the average squad value. Portugal’s most valuable player is Vitinha, valued at £95,326,000.
The remainder of the top ten features Brazil in at sixth, with a squad value of £787,912,720 – 150.92% higher than the average squad value of £314,006,191. Brazil’s Vinicius Junior is by far the most valuable player, with a market value of £129,990,000 – accounting for over 16% of the squad’s value alone.
The Netherlands ranks in at seventh place with a squad value of £725,517,520, which is 131.05% higher than the average squad value. The Netherlands’ most valuable player was found to be Ryan Gravenberch, valued at £77,994,000.
Argentina takes the eighth spot with a squad value of £707,578,900, 125.34% above the average squad value. The most valuable player for Argentina is Enzo Fernández, currently valued at £77,994,000.
In ninth place is Norway, with a squad value of £520,826,600, which is 65.87% above the average squad value. Norway’s most valuable player is Erling Haaland, valued at £173,320,000 – almost a whole third of the squad’s total market value.
Rounding out the list in tenth place is Belgium, with a squad value of £459,471,320, 46.33% above the average squad value. The most valuable player for Belgium is Jérémy Doku, valued at £56,329,000.
Interestingly, the average value of the officially announced squads across all nations is £314,006,191, with the average player market value across all official final squads being £12,115,995.
Jordan was found to have the least-valuable squad headed into the tournament this summer, with a squad value of just £17,223,675. Jordan’s most valuable player is Mousa Tamari, who currently has a market value of £8,666,000.
The average age of players across all nations was found to be 27.85 years old, with the oldest squad on average being Panama’s, at 30.40 years old, whilst the youngest team was found to be Ivory Coast, at 25.82 years old.
The ten World Cup 2026 countries with the highest-valued squads:
RankCountryTotal squad value (£)Most Valuable PlayerPlayer ValueSquad value compared to World Cup official average
1. | France | £1,279,101,600 | Kylian Mbappé | £173,320,000 | +307.35% |
2. | England | £1,135,246,000 | Jude Bellingham | £121,324,000 | +261.54% |
3. | Spain | £1,097,982,200 | Lamine Yamal | £173,320,000 | +249.67% |
4. | Germany | £864,866,800 | Florian Wirtz | £95,326,000 | +175.43% |
5. | Portugal | £829,336,200 | Vitinha | £95,326,000 | +164.11% |
6. | Brazil | £787,912,720 | Vinicius Junior | £129,990,000 | +150.92% |
7. | Netherlands | £725,517,520 | Ryan Gravenberch | £77,994,000 | +131.05% |
8. | Argentina | £707,578,900 | Enzo Fernández | £77,994,000 | +125.34% |
9. | Norway | £520,826,600 | Erling Haaland | £173,320,000 | +65.87% |
10. | Belgium | £459,471,320 | Jérémy Doku | £56,329,000 | +46.33% |
N/A | World Cup 2026 | £15,072,297,170 | N/A | £12,115,995 | N/A |
