FIFA World Cup 2018's Top 5 Most Valuable Squads

With the 2018 FIFA World Cup fast approaching and coming off the back of a transfer fee record breaking couple of seasons, it's only fitting we investigate the top 5 most valuable national squads. All figures have been retrieved from the trading site transfermarkt.co.uk.

Didier Deschamps French side lands at the top of the list with a staggering total of £959.85 million. 4 players in the French squad currently find themselves with a market value of over £70m; Ousmane Dembélé [£72m], Paul Pogba [£81m], Antoine Griezmann [£90m] and Kylian Mbappé [£108m].

Trailing behind in second place is FIFA world rankings no. 1 team in the world, Germany. With a total market value of £897.75m Germany's highest valued individual, Toni Kroos, only clocks in at £72m. Manchester City superstar Leroy Sané follows closely behind with a value of £67.50m.

Julen Lopetegui places 3rd with his Spanish side valued at £892.8m. With several players floating around the £50m mark, Spain's highest valued players are Marco Asensio and Isco at £67.5m.

Neymar is the joint most valuable player at the World Cup. Image: PA Images

Brazil are next with a considerably lower market value of £813.6m, the second ranked side according to FIFA's list are considered favourite to win the World Cup with most bookies. Of course they have the tournament's most valuable player in PSG's powerhouse Neymar who's valued at an eyebrow raising £162m with his 'replacement' at Barcelona Philippe Coutinho trailing in his wake with a £90m valuation.

Argentina are the final team to make the top five with a value of £795.6m as well as having the second highest average age, at 28.5, in the World Cup only topped by Mexico's 28.9. Their valuation mirrors South American rivals Brazil in the fact that Lionel Messi is joint with Neymar's £162 million valuation and he's followed by Paulo Dybala's £62m.

Can Messi finally lead his side to glory? Image: PA Images

England place seventh with £617.4m, boosted by Harry Kane at £108m, the Spurs striker will be hoping to have a bigger impact at the tournament than he did in the Euros two years ago.

The Three Lions will face the least valuable team in Russia in the shape of Panama whose squad is valued less than Harry Kane's left arm at a measly £10.53m. Panama's highest valued player, Roberto Nurse, is worth £720k.

Will France be good value for their team or will someone else walk away with the title?

Words by Joel Greasley.

Topics: Football News, Russia 2018, Transfers, Neymar, Lionel Messi, Panama, England, World Cup

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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