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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Samuel Meade

England squad priced as most valuable at World Cup ahead of France, Brazil and Portugal

England 's 26-man squad has been valued at a staggering €1.26bn (£1.1bn) - higher than any other nation at the World Cup.

The Three Lions head to Qatar looking to build on recent performances that have seen them reach a semi-final and a final. Gareth Southgate has presided over a young squad that have continued to blossom and are among the favourites to succeed in the Middle East, despite some indifferent form.

Southgate included the likes of Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham at the Euros, the former being a starter, and the pair have continued to be shining lights for English football. Declan Rice, Mason Mount and Bukayo Saka have also contributed massively for their clubs, which has seen their values continue to rise.

The World Cup will not be short of global stars with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Pedri, Jamal Musiala and Vinicius Jnr all having price tags that exceed the €100m (£87m) mark. Brazil arrive in Qatar as many people's favourites, but also with the second most expensive squad of the tournament.

France, Portugal and Spain round up the top five most expensive squads. Argentina, who are some people's pick to win the tournament for the first time since 1986, are the seventh most expensive squad with Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez their most expensive player, according to Sporting Pedia.

World Cup's most expensive squads

1. England - €1.26bn (£1.1bn)

Bellingham is tipped to enjoy a breakout tournament and is one of two Three Lions stars who are priced at €100m (£87m) or more, the other being Manchester City's Phil Foden. The pair are both set to play huge roles for England and are poised to be mainstays for the next decade and beyond.

A strong tournament for Bellingham could see suitors come in for him next summer, when Borussia Dortmund may opt to cash in on their teenage star. Golden Boot hopeful Harry Kane is ranked as England's third most expensive player at €90m (£78m), despite Tottenham wanting well north of £100m for him last summer when he was linked with the exit door.

2. Brazil - €1.13bn (980m)

The South American's have the man who, currently, stands as the most expensive player in history in Neymar. His move to PSG will take some beating, but as he's aged he is no longer the most valuable individual in the squad. He may be the team's leader and shining light, but Vinicius is the golden ticket at €120m (£104m).

Neymar, who has been unable to win a World Cup in his previous two tournaments, is priced at €75m (£65m) with Vinicius' Real Madrid team-mate Rodrygo just pipping him at €80m (£69m). Gabriel Martinelli and Antony, who just became Manchester United's second most expensive acquisition in the summer, will also heighten the value of the squad.

Vinicius Jnr scored the winner in the Champions League final (Getty Images)

3. France - €1.06bn (£920m)

The reigning world champions have, according to market valuations, the most valuable player in the world. Mbappe, who recently penned a new deal at PSG, is worth €160m (£139m). Didier Deschamps only chose to pick 25 players, meaning their squad total could've been higher, but opted not to.

He is without N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba but has rising stars like Aurelian Tchouameni in his ranks. The former Monaco man, who secured a move to Real Madrid in the summer, is the country's second most valuable player at €80m (£69m). Christopher Nkunku had a same value, but a late injury has robbed him of his World Cup dream. Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema will be hoping to continue his phenomenal year, but at 34, his value is not what it was.

4. Portugal €923m (£803m)

Cristiano Ronaldo's revelations have grabbed the attention ahead of the tournament, but the Euro 2016 champions are going slightly under the radar. They have never claimed the World Cup, with a semi-final their best effort, but have a generation of talent who have the potential to excel in Qatar.

Ronaldo himself, now 37, has a value of just €20m (£17m), but several of his team-mates would command huge fees if they left. City's Bernardo Silva, who has been linked with a move away from Manchester, is the squad's most valued player at €80m (£69m). His team-mate Ruben Dias - and United's Bruno Fernandes - are slightly cheaper at €75m (£65m). Portugal can also boast the likes of Joao Felix, who once moved for over £100m, and Joao Cancelo in their ranks.

5. Spain - €902m (£785m)

The 2010 world champions are among Europe's most likely winners but do not have a standout global star in their ranks. Pedri has captured the imagination since establishing himself at Barcelona and is, not only the engine room of the side, but also their most valued player.

His team-mate at the Nou Camp, Gavi, is also highly thought of and is valued at €90m (£78m). City's Rodri is priced at €80m (£69m) - around the amount he cost Pep Guardiola when he moved to the Etihad in 2019. It means Spain's three most valued players at all midfielders. Luis Enrique doesn't have a marquee striker to rely upon for goals, which could be an issue, but stars like Ansu Fati and Marco Asensio have match winning potential.

Jamal Musiala is one of the world's most exciting players (Getty Images)

Best of the rest

Germany, who had a horrendous World Cup last time out, now have fresh leadership and a young side looking to impress. Musiala is looking to carry his club form to Qatar and leads a squad that are valued at €873m (£759m). Messi's Argentina squad are not far off with Lautaro Martinez their most valuable player.

The Dutch are also among the top ten most valued squads with Matthijs de Ligt their leading light financially. Frenkie de Jong and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk. Belgium, who were semi-finalists last time out, have an ageing side, led by Kevin De Bruyne, who would command an €80m fee.

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