The World Cup's most expensive squads RANKED: England are beaten to top spot by old rivals - while Harry Kane is paid more than some entire teams' market values!

The World Cup's most expensive squads RANKED: England are beaten to top spot by old rivals - while Harry Kane is paid more than some entire teams' market values!
By: dailymail Posted On: June 02, 2026 View: 58

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.

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 - £1.32billion

2) England - £1.13bn

3) Spain - £1.09bn

4) Portugal - £880million 

5) Germany - £862.97m

6) Brazil -  £788.78m

7) Netherlands - £723.93m

8) Argentina - £707.76m

9) Norway - £519.68m 

10) Belgium - £469.45m

11) Ivory Coast - £459.07m

12) Morocco - £422.15m

13) Senegal - £408.92m

14) Turkey - £408.74m 

15) Sweden - £370.25m

16) Uruguay - £350.9m

17) Croatia - £333.51m

18) United States - £327.03m ($440.44m)

19) Ecuador - £325.3m

20) Switzerland - £288.46m 

21) Colombia - £263.95m

22) Japan - £241.16m

23) Austria - £234.94m

24) Algeria - £222.75m

25) Ghana - £199.64m

26) Canada - £175.58m

27) Mexico - £168.27m

28) Czechia - £164.45m

29) Scotland - £152.39m

30) Paraguay - £135.89m

31) Bosnia & Herzegovina - £129.04m

32) DR Congo - £128.91m

33) South Korea - £123.07m

34) Egypt - £116.48m

35) Australia - £63.7m

36) Uzbekistan - £63.16m*

37) Tunisia - £60.06m

38) Cape Verde - £48.59m

39) Haiti - £48.09m

40) South Africa - £39.61m

41) Saudi Arabia - £32.09m

42) New Zealand - £30.57m

43) Panama - £30.12m

44 Iran - £28.24m

45) Curacao - £22.51m

46) Iraq - £18.21m

47) Qatar - £17.24m

48) Jordan - £16.89m

 *Uzbekistan based off 30-man provisional squad - set to drop  

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