The 2026 FIFA World Cup is not only a battle for the world champion title but also a showcase of football’s financial might, where the market value of national squads serves as a key indicator of a team’s overall strength.
The higher a team’s total squad value, the greater its likelihood of boasting star players capable of making decisive impacts in crucial moments.
According to squad market value data from Transfermarkt, the French national team has emerged as the most expensive among all 2026 World Cup participants.
Les Bleus lead the list with a total squad valuation of approximately Rp27.1 trillion.
The combination of young talents and world-class stars gives France remarkable squad depth and balance heading into this tournament.
Names such as Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and William Saliba form the core of this golden generation, propelling France’s market value far above other nations.
France’s squad strength also aligns with their performance in the last two World Cup editions, where they reached the final in both 2018 and 2022.
At the 2018 World Cup, France lifted the trophy after defeating Croatia 4-2 in the final held at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow.
In the 2026 edition, France are once again among the favourites to win the title, with a 12.84 percent chance according to Opta predictions.
England ranks second on the list with an estimated squad value of Rp23.8 trillion, followed by Spain in third with Rp21.1 trillion.
Both nations are known for their blend of emerging talents and top-tier European stars, which helps maintain their high market valuations.
Interestingly, although Spain occupy third place in terms of squad value, they are considered the most likely champions with a 16.23 percent winning probability.
One of the key highlights comes from Portugal, who sit fourth on the list with a total squad value of around Rp17.4 trillion, overtaking Argentina, who are eighth with Rp13.8 trillion.
Portugal now rely on a mix of new-generation stars and experienced players, making them one of the strong contenders at the 2026 World Cup.
Nevertheless, Portugal still depend on the leadership of Cristiano Ronaldo, while Argentina continue to centre their play around Lionel Messi.
However, neither Ronaldo nor Messi are currently the highest-valued players in their respective squads.
In Portugal’s case, Vitinha holds the highest market value, while in Argentina, that distinction belongs to Julian Alvarez.
The presence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi continues to draw global attention, as both remain influential figures who inspire their teams on and off the pitch.
PSM Makassar legend Toni Ho shared his view that Portugal and Argentina are among his top picks to make a deep run at the 2026 World Cup.
According to him, both sides possess well-balanced squads across all positions and have not made major overhauls to their core lineup.
“Portugal still feature familiar names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and Ruben Dias,” he said.
“Meanwhile, Argentina continue to rely on key players such as Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Julian Alvarez, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, and Nicolás Otamendi,” added Toni Ho.
He further explained that the star quality in both teams could make the difference in decisive matches.
“The key for Portugal remains Ronaldo, and for Argentina, it’s still Messi. Both are role models for the younger players and command immense respect,” said the AFC Pro-licensed coach when contacted on Wednesday (3 June 2026).
On another front, Norway have also gained attention thanks to their emerging generation led by Erling Haaland. The Manchester City striker’s market value stands at around Rp3.4 trillion — nearly equivalent to the total value of Canada’s entire squad at the 2026 World Cup.
(Tribunnews.com/Ali) (Tribun-Timur.com/Kaswadi Anwar)
