Argentine outlet Clarín crunched transfer-market valuations for every 2026 World Cup squad. An 18-year-old Spanish winger runs away with #1. France stacks the top 10. And the gap between first and second? Over a billion dollars.

The Top 10 Most Valuable Players at World Cup 2026

1. Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona) — $4.013 billion

Age: 18 — He's 18 years old and worth more than most Fortune 500 companies. Yamal isn't just the future of soccer — he's the present. Barcelona's teenage phenom has made the right wing his personal highlight reel.

Lamine Yamal in action for Spain at World Cup 2026

2. Erling Haaland (Norway, Man City) — $2.984 billion

Age: 25 — The gap between Yamal and Haaland? Over a billion dollars. Norway's first World Cup in 28 years gives Haaland the global stage he's been missing.

3. Kylian Mbappé (France, Real Madrid) — $2.352 billion

Age: 27 — Already a World Cup winner. France's best shot at becoming the first repeat champion since Brazil in 1962.
4. Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid) — $1.791 billion
Age: 22
5. Michael Olise (France, Bayern Munich) — $1.601 billion
Age: 24
6. Florian Wirtz (Germany, Liverpool) — $1.588 billion
Age: 23
7. Désiré Doué (France, PSG) — $1.573 billion
Age: 20
8. João Neves (Portugal, PSG) — $1.528 billion
Age: 21
9. Arda Güler (Turkey, Real Madrid) — $1.524 billion
Age: 21
10. Pedri (Spain, Barcelona) — $1.521 billion
Age: 23

Kylian Mbappé during World Cup qualifying

What the List Actually Tells Us

Youth rules everything. The average age in the top 10 is just 22.4 years old. Not a single player over 27.

France is stacked. Three players in the top 7 (Mbappé, Olise, Doué).

Real Madrid and Barcelona are talent factories. Five of the top 10 between them.

The kid's 18 and worth $4 billion. What were you doing at 18?

If Spain makes a deep run, expect Yamal's number to look conservative by August.

Key Takeaways

The Top 10 Most Valuable Players at World Cup 2026

1. Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona) — $4.013 billion

2. Erling Haaland (Norway, Man City) — $2.984 billion

3. Kylian Mbappé (France, Real Madrid) — $2.352 billion

4. Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid) — $1.791 billion

5. Michael Olise (France, Bayern Munich) — $1.601 billion

6. Florian Wirtz (Germany, Liverpool) — $1.588 billion

7. Désiré Doué (France, PSG) — $1.573 billion

8. João Neves (Portugal, PSG) — $1.528 billion

9. Arda Güler (Turkey, Real Madrid) — $1.524 billion

10. Pedri (Spain, Barcelona) — $1.521 billion

What the List Actually Tells Us

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the most valuable player at World Cup 2026?

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most valuable world cup players

An 18-Year-Old Is the Most Expensive Player at the World Cup — By a Mile