World Cup 2026 squads valued at 17.4 billion euros; four teams exceed 1 billion

The 2026 World Cup boasts a total player value of 17.4 billion euros, encompassing 1,248 athletes. This figure represents a substantial increase from the 2018 tournament, partly due to the expansion of the competition to 48 teams.

France's national team stands out as the most valuable squad, with an estimated worth of 1.5 billion euros. This valuation has surged by 50% since the last World Cup, significantly boosted by star players like Kylian Mbappé, valued at 180 million euros, and Michael Olise, at 150 million euros.

Following France, England's squad is valued at 1.36 billion euros, Spain's at 1.22 billion euros, and Portugal's at 1.01 billion euros. These four nations are the only teams with squad values exceeding one billion euros. European teams largely dominate the top financial rankings, with Brazil and Argentina being the only non-European teams in the top 10.

Conversely, teams like Qatar, valued at 20 million euros, Jordan and Iraq at 21 million euros, and others like Iran and New Zealand, represent the lower end of the financial spectrum. These nations have either rarely qualified or are making their debut appearances at the World Cup.

Interestingly, financial might does not guarantee victory. Argentina, ranked seventh in squad value in the previous World Cup, ultimately won the title, highlighting that on-field performance remains the ultimate determinant of success.