THE highly anticipated World Cup 2026 semi-final between France and Spain has emerged as a meeting of football powerhouses, with the two nations boasting the most expensive squads in international football.
According to market valuations by Transfermarkt, the combined worth of both teams stands at approximately US$3.21 billion (RM13.09 billion), with France leading the rankings at US$1.78 billion (RM7.25 billion), ahead of Spain’s US$1.43 billion (RM5.83 billion).
The blockbuster encounter will also feature four of the five most valuable players at the 2026 World Cup, underlining the extraordinary level of talent on display.
Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal tops the global valuation list with a market value of US$234 million (RM954.6 million), while France captain and superstar forward Kylian Mbappe follows closely behind at US$211 million (RM860 million).
France winger Michael Olise and Spain midfield maestro Pedri complete the list of elite players involved in the semi-final, with both valued at US$176 million (RM717.9 million).
The only player among the top five valuations not featuring in the semi-final is Norway striker Erling Haaland, who is also valued at US$234 million (RM954 million).
France currently rank as the world’s most valuable national team, with their squad valued at US$1.78 billion (RM7.26 billion), followed by England at US$1.59 billion (RM6.48 billion) and Spain at US$1.43 billion (RM5.83 billion).
The other semi-finalists, Argentina, have a squad valuation estimated at US$945 million (RM3.85 billion).
The France-Spain encounter features seven players from both squads valued at least US$117 million (RM477 million).
Spain’s representatives in the category are Yamal and Pedri, while France contribute five players — Mbappe, Olise, Désiré Doué, William Saliba and Ousmane Dembélé.
Across both squads, 22 players have market values of at least US$59 million (RM240 million), highlighting the depth of world-class talent available to both managers.
Spain hold the advantage in goalkeeping valuations, with their three goalkeepers carrying a combined worth of US$113 million (RM461 million), compared with France’s US$67 million (RM273 million).
However, France dominates in defensive value, with their backline estimated at US$473 million (RM2 billion), significantly higher than Spain’s defensive valuation of US$337 million (RM1.4 billion).
Spain have the edge in midfield, where their players are valued at US$491 million (RM1.92 billion), surpassing France’s midfield worth of US$365 million (RM1.48 billion).
The biggest gap comes in attack, where France’s forward line is valued at US$878 million (RM3.58 billion), comfortably ahead of Spain’s attacking unit at US$489 million (RM1.99 billion).
Despite Spain possessing the world’s most valuable player in Yamal, France’s attacking strength remains the most expensive among the remaining World Cup 2026 contenders. - July 13, 2026
