As teams with high market values demonstrate their worth, lower-valued teams are also creating surprises.
According to data from the football transfer website Transfermarkt, France ranks first in squad market value for the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup, valued at €1.52 billion (approximately 2.67 trillion won).
Following France, England is valued at €1.36 billion (approximately 2.39 trillion won), Spain at €1.22 billion (approximately 2.14 trillion won), Portugal at €1.01 billion (approximately 1.77 trillion won), and Germany at €947 million (approximately 1.66 trillion won). Brazil is valued at €928 million (approximately 1.63 trillion won), while Argentina follows at €805 million (approximately 1.42 trillion won).
Top-ranked France secured its place in the Round of 32 by defeating Senegal and Iraq in succession. Kylian Mbappe scored multiple goals in the 3-0 victory over Iraq.
Germany also showcased its strength, with a squad market value of €947 million (approximately 1.66 trillion won). Germany crushed Curaçao 7-1 and then defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 to secure advancement to the Round of 32.
This tournament has also produced results that cannot be explained solely by market value. A notable example is Cape Verde, whose squad market value is €54.5 million (approximately 957 million won), about 1/28th of France's value.
Cape Verde drew 0-0 with Spain in its first World Cup match and then held Uruguay to a 2-2 draw. Spain's squad market value is €1.22 billion (approximately 2.14 trillion won), while Uruguay's is €359.3 million (approximately 630.8 million won), making Cape Verde's value about 22 times and 6.6 times less, respectively.
Curaçao's case is even more dramatic. With a squad market value of €25.78 million (approximately 453 million won), it is about 59 times less than France. Yet, Curaçao managed to earn its first World Cup point against Ecuador, whose squad market value is €368.7 million (approximately 6.47 billion won), over 14 times that of Curaçao, resulting in a 0-0 draw. Goalkeeper Eloy Room made 15 saves to secure Curaçao's first World Cup point.
South Korea, with a market value of €139.05 million (approximately 2.44 trillion won), is also competing in the Round of 32, despite the gap with the top teams.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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