Most valuable squads at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar

The greatest names of the footballing world will take the field as they fight for the pride of their national sides in the coming weeks.

With the world's largest football festival, the FIFA World Cup 2022, arriving in Qatar, starting on 20th November 2022, here's a look at the most valuable squads, based on CIES Football Observatory, Switzerland.

10. Belgium - €562 million

Spanish Roberto Martinez will be banking on important players such as Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne, and Real Madrid's Eden Hazard to provide creativity in front of the goal. The Red Devils finished top of their UEFA qualifying with six victories and two draws. Their most valuable player is Real Madrid's No.1 Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (€66 million), besides young prospects such as Charles De Ketelaere, 21 being valued at approx. €40 million.

9. Uruguay - €590 million

​The Uruguay squad, ninth highest valuation under Manager Diego Alonso will look to go deep into the knockout stages. They are in Group H alongside Portugal, Ghana, and South Korea. 24-year-old Ronald Araujo, a central defender, has already made 44 international appearances for Uruguay, scoring on four occasions.

Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani would be looking to end their international careers on a high. With a value of €123m, Federico Valverde is the most valuable member of the Uruguay World Cup.

8. Argentina - €748 million

With Lionel Messi (€20M) leading from the front in his last World Cup, the €748 million Argentina squad will be looking to finally help their legend win the coveted trophy. The €748 squad managed by manager Lionel Scaloni, is the eighth highest-valued team in Doha. Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, with a price tag of €99 million is the country’s most valuable player. Other valuable players include Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, etc.

7. Netherlands - €756 million

After missing out on the previous World Cup in 2018, the Dutch have qualified again under the leadership of Louis Van Gaal. The legendary manager has already announced this as his last job in top-flight football. So the former Manchester United manager will look to end his career on a similar high to 2014's third-place finish. The €756 Million squad consists of, Barcelona’s 25-year-old midfielder Frenkie de Jong, with a valuation of €110 million, the highest. Other key players include captain Virgil Van Dijk, Memphis Depay and Nathan Ake, etc.

6. Germany - €1 Billion

After a disastrous campaign in 2018, Germany will be looking for renewed inspiration under Head Coach Hansi Flick, a former assistant under previous manager Joachim Low. Their sixth-highest squad valuation of 1B is due to the presence of the young star Jamal Musiala, a Bayern Munich attacking midfielder(151 million).

The 19-year-old is arguably the most influential and in-form player in Europe, with 12 goals & 8 assists in 21 games for his club. His country will also be depending on him to deliver the goods in his maiden World Cup. 

5. Portugal - €1.1 Billion

Fernando Santos's 26 men's Portugal squad is valued at €1.15 Billion. And it is the fifth most valuable side in the upcoming World Cup. Portugal Captain Cristiano Ronaldo, 37 is only valued at (€20 M) with the expectation that this might be his last World Cup. Hence they will be looking to build defensively around Manchester City's Ruben Dias, their most valued asset at €118 M. 

4. Spain - €1.20 Billion

The 2010 winners led by former Barcelona Luis Enrique have a youthful and talented squad, valued fourth most by CIE'S. Without the likes of the legendary duo of Sergio Ramos and Gerrard Pique, Spain will be looking to find inspiration in young midfielders Pedri & Gavi, valued at €158M & €155M respectively to face Costa Rica, Germany, and Japan in Group E. 

3. France - €1.33 Billion

Defending world champions boast the likes of its most valuable superstar Kyillan M'bappe, valued at 185 M. The French will be looking to replicate their world cup winning form by incorporating the likes of youthful Real Madrid duo Aurelien Tchouameni (€100M) and Eduardo Camavinga (€90M) etc. Besides the 25-man squad selected by the French Manager Didier Deschamps, has been valued in total as the third most after England and Brazil. 

2. Brazil - €1.45 Billion

2021 Copa America Losing Finalist and five-time winners Brazil hold the second highest squad valuation at €1.45 Bi. Neymar's 182 M Instagram followers lend him a value of €70 M in the transfer market according to CIES. Real Mardrid's Vinicis Jr. holds the highest value of €201 M in the entire Brazilian squad. The Selecao will be looking to find inspiration from the highly-rated duo to bring world cup glory back to South America.

Other notable names include Rodrygo & Eder Militao, both €110 M, and the Arsenal duo of Gabriel Jesus (€120 M) and Gabriel Martinelli (€100 M).  

1. England - €1.5 Billion

The Three Lions kick off their World Cup campaign against Iran on Monday, 21st November 2022, and are supposed to have the most valuable squad at the World Cup 2022. The standout name in Gareth Southgate's youth-full English team would the Jude Bellingham. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder is ranked by CIES as the most valuable player at the 2022 World Cup with an estimated transfer value of €202m.

Gareth Southgate's squad is rounded off with England captain Harry Kane at €90 million (£78m), and Manchester City prodigy Phil Foden at €110 million (£96m) etc. The English would be looking to replicate the successes of its cricketing counterpart and finally proclaim: "It's Coming Home!", and bring back World Cup glory after 1966.