According to the CIES Football Observatory, England have the most valuable squad at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, estimated at a staggering €1.499 billion, narrowly ahead of favourites Brazil (€1.455bn) and holders France (€1.377bn).
Ahead of kick-off, The Sportsman runs down the list of most valuable players, by nation:
1. England/Dortmund - Jude Bellingham (Estimated value: €202 million)
England fans everywhere are expecting big things from Bellingham, a player on the radar of the biggest clubs around Europe. The 19-year-old has made 22 appearances for Dortmund this season, scoring nine times and assisting three. A genuine star boy.
2. Brazil/Real Madrid - Vinicius Junior (Estimated value: €201m)
The Brazilian youngster helped Madrid to the Champions League and La Liga titles last season, and has started strongly this term with 15 goal contributions in 21 league games.
3. France/PSG - Kylian Mbappe (Estimated value: €185m)
France’s biggest star was sensational in Russia as Les Bleus lifted the World Cup trophy, and he’ll be hoping to avoid the fabled winners’ curse in Qatar. 24 goal contributions in 20 club games this season is quite simply ridiculous.
4. Spain/Barcelona - Pedri Gonzalez (Estimated value: €158m)
One of Barcelona’s most exciting young talents for many years will play a key role in Luis Enrique’s side this winter, as Spain attempt to qualify from one of the trickier groups alongside Germany, Japan and Costa Rica.
5. Germany/Bayern - Jamal Musiala (Estimated value: €151m)
19-year-old Musiala has already won nine trophies at Bayern Munich, including the Champions League. Former Bayern and Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has described him as ‘one-of-a-kind’ and tipped him to shine for Germany.
6. Uruguay/Real Madrid - Federico Valverde (Estimated value: €123m)
The 24-year-old defender has already made 44 international appearances for Uruguay, scoring on four occasions. A value of €123m makes him 21% of the entire nation’s squad value at the World Cup.
7. Portugal/Man City - Ruben Dias (Estimated value: €118m)
Every Premier League supporter will know just how vital Ruben Dias has been to Pep Guardiola’s dominant Manchester City side over the past few years. With the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix and Bernardo Silva causing chaos at the other end of the pitch, Dias and City teammate Joao Cancelo will be key to Portugal’s World Cup hopes.
8. Croatia/Leipzig - Josko Gvardiol (Estimated value: €110m)
The first name on this list you might not know an awful lot about. The 20-year-old Croatian defender has been a target for both Chelsea and Barcelona in 2022 and, with an impressive showing in Qatar, could attract more suitors heading into the January transfer window. Croatia should qualify from a group with Belgium, Morocco and Canada.
9. Netherlands/Barcelona - Frenkie de Jong (Estimated value: €110m)
If you’re not bored of his name by now after the will he/won’t he saga over the summer with Manchester United, keep an eye on Frenkie de Jong in Qatar. He’s a key cog in Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands side and the squad is full of belief, with Van Gaal himself confident his men can go all the way.
10. Argentina/Inter Milan - Lautaro Martinez (Estimated value: €99m)
It seems like everyone we speak to is, quite rightly, excited to watch the most in-form side in international football go for glory this winter. Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez is a frightening attacking trio and the Inter striker has scored more than a goal every other game for his nation - 21 in 40 matches.
11. Serbia/Juventus - Dusan Vlahovic (Estimated value: €97m)
12. Morocco/PSG - Achraf Hakimi (Estimated value: €80m)
13. Senegal/Bayern Munich - Sadio Mane (Estimated value: €72m)
14. Denmark/Tottenham - Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Estimated value: €69m)
15. Canada/Bayern Munich - Alphonso Davies (Estimated value: €68m)
16. Belgium/Real Madrid - Thibaut Courtois (Estimated value: €66m)
17. Poland/Barcelona - Robert Lewandowski (Estimated value: €59m)
18. USA/Chelsea - Christian Pulisic (Estimated value: €52m)
19. Switzerland/Dortmund - Gregor Kobel (Estimated value: €51m)
20. Korea Republic/Tottenham - Heung-min Son (Estimated value: €46m)
21. Ecuador/Leverkusen - Piero Hincapie (Estimated value: €39m)
22. Cameroon/Napoli - Andre-Franck Zambo (Estimated value: €33m)
23. Japan/Freiburg - Ritsu Doan (Estimated value: €29m)
24. Mexico/Ajax - Edson Alvarez (Estimated value: €27m)
25. Wales/Nottingham Forest - Brennan Johnson (Estimated value: €26m)
26. Ghana/Arsenal - Thomas Partey (Estimated value: €25m)
27. Iran/Porto - Mehdi Taremi (Estimated value: €20m)
28. Tunisia/FC Lorient - Montassar Talbi (Estimated value: €12m)
29. Australia/Hellas Verona - Ajdin Hrustic (Estimated value: €7m)
30. Saudi Arabia/Al Hilal - Saud Abdulhamid (Estimated value: €5m)
31. Costa Rica/PSG - Keylor Navas (Estimated value: €4m)
32. Qatar/Al-Duhail - Almoez Ali (Estimated value: €4m)
