2026 World Cup: the most expensive XI of the tournament

13.06.26 FT World Cup

Brazil

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Morocco

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The 23rd edition of the World Cup is set to take place in North America from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Ten African nations will compete in this showdown: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Cape Verde, DR Congo, and Senegal.

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Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi is the only African player featured in the most expensive XI of the 2026 World Cup, according to figures from the specialist site Transfermarkt.

Here is the most expensive starting eleven of the 2026 World Cup.

Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion - Netherlands)

At 23 years old, the Oranje’s last line of defense is valued at €40 million. His market value has literally doubled in just 24 months.

He has 27 caps for the Netherlands, conceding 27 goals and recording 11 clean sheets.

Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain - Morocco)

The Madrid-born right-back’s market value is estimated at €80 million, €15 million more than it was in March 2025.

In 95 appearances for the Atlas Lions, he has scored 11 goals and provided 19 assists.

Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain – Portugal)

The left-back’s market value is set at €80 million, double what it was back in 2022.

With the Seleção das Quinas, he’s featured in 43 matches, netting once and delivering 9 assists.

William Saliba (Arsenal - France)

The defender of Cameroonian descent is valued at €90 million.

The Gunner has 31 caps for Les Bleus, without scoring or providing an assist.

Pau Cubarsí (FC Barcelona – Spain)

The young Catalan centre-back has a market value of €80 million.

He has 11 appearances for the national team across all competitions, with two assists to his name.

João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain - Portugal)

The Parisian midfielder’s market value stands at €140 million.

In 21 games for the national team, he’s yet to score or provide an assist.

Pedri (FC Barcelona – Spain)

With a market value of €150 million, he is the most valuable midfielder in the world.

He’s racked up four assists in 40 matches for La Roja across all competitions.

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid – England)

The England international has a market value of €140 million, up €40 million from 2023.

With the Three Lions, he’s played 46 matches, scoring 6 goals and providing 10 assists.

Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona – Spain)

The Catalan wonderkid boasts a market value of €200 million, making him the most expensive player in the world.

He already has 25 caps for Spain, with 6 goals and 12 assists to his name.

Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid - Brazil)

His market value is set at €150 million, according to Transfermarkt.

He’s played 48 matches for the Brazil national team, tallying 9 goals and 9 assists.

Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid – France)

He too boasts a €200 million market value, thanks to his stellar performances for both Los Blancos and the French national team.

Mbappé has 96 caps in all competitions, with a remarkable 56 goals and 40 assists.

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

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