-
News
- 3 hours ago
The 10 most valuable players at the 2026 World Cup
Updated: 5 Jun 2026 11:09 BST |
9 min read
Analysis
The newly-expanded 2026 World Cup will feature some of the most high-profile names on a global stage who are ready to showcase just why they are considered the biggest superstars on the planet.
With 48 teams playing in the tournament for the first time ever, the most prestigious stars will be on display and many will see their profiles grow and enhance their reputations, as well as their valuations in the market.
There is more money involved across football than ever before, emphasised by the tournament across North America, and FootballTransfers takes a look at the ten most valuable stars that will feature at the 2026 World Cup based on their Expected Transfer Value (ETV.)
Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) explained
Our Player Valuation Model calculates an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) for more than 240.000 players in the world.
Read more here.Our Player Valuation Model calculates an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) for more than 240.000 players in the world. It uses information on the player's skill, potential, performance, contract duration, position and other statistics to estimate an accurate ETV.
Read more here.1. Lamine Yamal – Spain – €171.2m
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the most exciting young talent on the planet is also the player with the highest ETV, with Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal set to play at his first ever World Cup.
Current ETV
Lamine Yamal
F, M (R)
Barcelona
Lamine Yamal
F, M (R)
Barcelona
ETV Range
€154.1M - €188.3M
Spain are desperate that Yamal will shake off a hamstring injury to feature for them in North America, having already established himself as a global superstar at the age of 18.
A €171.2m ETV does not tell the whole story considering Barcelona would likely demand nearly ten times that to even consider Yamal’s departure but the forward is undoubtedly the most valuable player to be on display at the 2026 World Cup.
2. Michael Olise – France – €155.1m
Michael Olise has had a tremendous rise to stardom since joining Bayern Munich for €53m in 2024 and the Frenchman could emerge as a front-runner for the Ballon d’Or with a strong performance at the 2026 World Cup.
Current ETV
Michael Olise
M, AM (R)
Bayern
Michael Olise
M, AM (R)
Bayern
ETV Range
€139.6M - €170.6M
Olise starred for Bayern last season and with 15 goals and 21 assists in the Bundesliga and the 24-year-old will hope to continue his good form in his first World Cup for France.
Bayern have insisted that they will not consider any offers for Olise despite interest from the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid, with a €155.1m ETV showcasing just how much they value their star winger ahead of a tournament that could see his profile increase even further.
3. Erling Haaland – Norway – €138.8m
This summer’s tournament will be the first time fans get to see Erling Haaland at a World Cup after Norway missed out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.
Current ETV
Erling Haaland
F (C)
Man City
Erling Haaland
F (C)
Man City
ETV Range
€125M - €152.7M
Haaland’s prolific record throughout his career makes him the third most valuable player at the 2026 World Cup and the 25-year-old will have a good chance of adding to his legacy if he can continue showcasing his prowess on the global stage.
The striker had a release clause, believed to be around €200m, in his contract at Manchester City prior to signing a new deal last year keeping him at the club until 2034, suggesting that it would take significantly more than his €138.8m ETV to prise him away from the Premier League giants.
4. Pau Cubarsi – Spain – €134.1m
La Masia’s incredible production line has struck again, with Pau Cubarsi ranking as the fourth most valuable player at the 2026 World Cup and the highest-valued defender on the planet.
Current ETV
Pau Cubarsí
D (C)
Barcelona
Pau Cubarsí
D (C)
Barcelona
ETV Range
€120.7M - €147.5M
The Barcelona centre-back has experienced a stratospheric rise since breaking into the first team, showcasing a calmness and line-breaking passing ability that has drawn endless comparisons to Gerard Pique. At just 19 years old, he is expected to form the bedrock of Spain's defence in North America.
Like his teammate Lamine Yamal, Cubarsi’s €134.1m ETV does not tell the full story. Barcelona tied the teenager down to a long-term contract containing a €1 billion release clause, meaning any club hoping to pry him away from Catalonia will find his true market cost completely untouchable.
5. Kylian Mbappe – France – €129.4m
Having already won the tournament in 2018 and netting a historic hat-trick in the 2022 final, Kylian Mbappe enters the 2026 World Cup looking to further cement his status as one of the greatest international players of all time.
Current ETV
Kylian Mbappé
F (C)
Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappé
F (C)
Real Madrid
ETV Range
€97.1M - €161.8M
Mbappe remains the focal point of a terrifyingly deep French attack, with his blistering pace and lethal finishing making Les Bleus one of the heavy favourites to lift the trophy. Now firmly established at Real Madrid, the forward is at the absolute peak of his powers.
At 27, Mbappe’s €129.4m ETV reflects a player in his prime whose impact will be invaluable to both France and Real Madrid for many years to come.
6. Jude Bellingham – England – €124.5m
England’s hopes of bringing football home rest heavily on the shoulders of Jude Bellingham, who has evolved into one of the most complete and dominant midfielders in the global game.
Current ETV
Jude Bellingham
AM, M (C)
Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham
AM, M (C)
Real Madrid
ETV Range
€93.4M - €155.7M
The Real Madrid superstar possesses a unique blend of physical power, technical elegance, and a clutch goalscoring instinct that makes him a nightmare for opposition defenses. Having already tasted major tournament heartbreak with the Three Lions, the 22-year-old is highly motivated to lead his nation to glory on the grandest stage.
Bellingham’s €124.5m ETV reflects his status as an indispensable asset for both club and country. He is an untouchable figure in Madrid, where he remains central to Florentino Perez’s modern era of Galacticos.
7. Harry Kane – England – €118.5m
He may be entering the veteran stage of his career at 32, but Harry Kane remains one of the most lethal and respected strikers in world football, safely securing his spot in the top ten.
Current ETV
Harry Kane
F (C)
Bayern
Harry Kane
F (C)
Bayern
ETV Range
€106.7M - €130.4M
The England captain has continued to put up staggering goalscoring numbers for Bayern Munich, and his elite playmaking ability means he is far more than just a traditional target man. As England's all-time record goalscorer, Kane will lead the line in North America determined to finally secure the elusive major trophy that his legendary career deserves.
An ETV of €118.5m for a player of his age is incredibly rare, underscoring just how elite Kane’s output remains and highlighting the massive premium placed on world-class number nines.
8. Alexander Isak – Sweden – €117.1m
The last 12 months may not have gone to plan for Alexander Isak despite his record move to Liverpool last summer but, at €117.1m, there is no denying the Swede’s presence as one of the elite strikers in world football when fully fit.
Current ETV
Alexander Isak
F (C)
Liverpool
Alexander Isak
F (C)
Liverpool
ETV Range
€87.8M - €146.4M
Isak is hoping to bounce back from an injury-plagued season where he never got going and the 26-year-old will be grateful that his Swedish teammates managed to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup where he can build momentum going into the new campaign.
A magnificent individual goal in a recent 3-1 friendly loss to Norway provided a glimpse at the Isak many fans may have forgotten and his maiden World Cup could be the perfect stage for the striker to announce his return to the top level.
9.Florian Wirtz – Germany – €113.4m
Things also haven’t gone quite to plan for Florian Wirtz since joining Liverpool last summer but the playmaker’s creative quality will be instrumental to Germany at the 2026 World Cup.
Current ETV
Florian Wirtz
AM (C), M (CL)
Liverpool
Florian Wirtz
AM (C), M (CL)
Liverpool
ETV Range
€102.1M - €124.7M
Wirtz’s ETV has declined after an underwhelming debut season for Liverpool but, at €113.4m, the 23-year-old remains one of the brightest talents in world football.
Having missed the 2022 tournament through injury, Wirtz will be determined to recapture his best form and make up for lost time for Julian Nagelsmann’s side in North America as a key player in their squad.
10. Vitinha – Portugal – €113.3m
Being in the heart of the midfield of back-to-back Champions League winners will do wonders for your profile and ETV if you’re Vitinha, who will be the tenth-most valuable player at the 2026 World Cup.
Current ETV
Vitinha
DM, M (C)
PSG
Vitinha
DM, M (C)
PSG
ETV Range
€102M - €124.7M
For a player who, five years ago, was struggling to get into the first team at Wolves, Vitinha is now one of the stand out midfielders in the world, emphasised by his €113.3m ETV.
Portugal will be hoping to win a World Cup in potentially the last tournament for Cristiano Ronaldo, with Vitinha expected to be a crucial figure if they are to make it into the latter stages of the competition.
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
