Consider yourself a World Cup expert? Challenge yourself with our exclusive quiz for free by signing up to our World Cup newsletter. Get it HERE See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy LUKE POWER, SPORTS REPORTER Published: 11:45 BST, 2 June 2026 | Updated: 11:54 BST, 2 June 2026
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 MunichWorld 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.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. World Cup squad values 1) France - £1.32billion2) England - £1.13bn3) Spain - £1.09bn4) Portugal - £880million 5) Germany - £862.97m6) Brazil - £788.78m7) Netherlands - £723.93m8) Argentina - £707.76m9) Norway - £519.68m 10) Belgium - £469.45m11) Ivory Coast - £459.07m12) Morocco - £422.15m13) Senegal - £408.92m14) Turkey - £408.74m 15) Sweden - £370.25m16) Uruguay - £350.9m17) Croatia - £333.51m18) United States - £327.03m ($440.44m)19) Ecuador - £325.3m20) Switzerland - £288.46m 21) Colombia - £263.95m22) Japan - £241.16m23) Austria - £234.94m24) Algeria - £222.75m 25) Ghana - £199.64m26) Canada - £175.58m27) Mexico - £168.27m28) Czechia - £164.45m29) Scotland - £152.39m30) Paraguay - £135.89m31) Bosnia & Herzegovina - £129.04m32) DR Congo - £128.91m33) South Korea - £123.07m34) Egypt - £116.48m35) Australia - £63.7m36) Uzbekistan - £63.16m*37) Tunisia - £60.06m38) Cape Verde - £48.59m39) Haiti - £48.09m40) South Africa - £39.61m41) Saudi Arabia - £32.09m42) New Zealand - £30.57m43) Panama - £30.12m44 Iran - £28.24m45) Curacao - £22.51m46) Iraq - £18.21m47) Qatar - £17.24m48) Jordan - £16.89m *Uzbekistan based off 30-man provisional squad - set to drop
