In the early stages of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Brazil found itself in an intriguing position. It boasted the fourth most valuable national team on the planet, as per a meticulous survey conducted by “Transfermarkt,” a website dedicated to football’s ever-evolving transfer landscape.
The Brazilian squad, meticulously curated by the astute Fernando Diniz, bore a staggering valuation of 943 million euros, a sum equivalent to a jaw-dropping 5 billion Brazilian reais. What set them apart was that their price tag, colossal as it was, paled in comparison to the financial might of England, France, and Portugal.
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However, this tale of financial prowess had a twist when compared to the previous edition of the study, undertaken just before the commencement of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Brazil’s star had dimmed somewhat, slipping two positions and experiencing a noticeable depreciation of 17.3%.
This puzzling descent could be attributed in large part to the unfortunate absence of Vinícius Júnior, Brazil’s crown jewel, worth an astonishing 150 million euros (or 800 million Brazilian reais). An unfortunate muscle injury had sidelined the Real Madrid sensation, leaving Brazil’s squad bereft of their most valuable asset.
Across the footballing landscape, a reshuffle was evident. England retained its coveted title as the planet’s most expensive national squad. Meanwhile, France and Portugal each ascended by a rank, buoyed by Brazil’s unexpected decline.
A significant development occurred in the top 10 rankings, as Uruguay, once positioned tenth, made way for the resurgence of Italy, a team overlooked in 2022 due to their failure to qualify for the World Cup. Italy now claimed the seventh spot on the esteemed list.
The most valuable national football team of the world
Here, then, according to UOL, are the world’s most valuable national teams, each harboring dreams of lifting the prestigious trophy:
1. England – 1.24 billion euros
2. France – 1.17 billion euros
3. Portugal – 979 million euros
4. Brazil – 943 million euros
5. Argentina – 877.2 million euros
6. Spain – 777 million euros
7. Italy – 774 million euros
8. Germany – 706.5 million euros
9. Netherlands – 659.5 million euros
10. Belgium – 423.5 million euros
As the world turned its gaze towards the 2026 World Cup, the financial hierarchy of national teams set the stage for an enthralling competition. The footballing giants had their valuations, but it was on the pitch that the true value of these teams would be tested.
