€14.6 billion talent pool heading to the 2026 World Cup: How the qualified nations compare
IMAGO | With a value of €1.47 billion, England’s squad ranks as the most valuable among the nations qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
The Recap
Forty-two nations have secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, and our analysis of squad valuations highlights significant variation across the field.
Data Insight
Curaçao stand out as the smallest nation ever to qualify and post the highest value-per-resident ratio, with a €32.9 million squad valuation equating to €207 per resident.
Why It Matters
The distribution of squad values provides an early indication of how established football nations and first-time participants are positioned ahead of the expanded tournament.
The Perspective
The findings illustrate both the concentration of elite talent in leading nations and the growing capacity of smaller federations to develop competitive squads despite limited resources.
19 November 2025 - 1:28 PM
Forty-two of the forty-eight nations have now secured their place at next summer’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The remaining spots will be decided after the play-offs in March, where teams such as Italy, Denmark and DR Congo will compete for the final places.
To assess the breadth and scope of the qualified nations, we have analysed each team’s squad valuation. This will be the first Worl
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