The $1.65 billion World Cup XI: how many players do finalists Spain and Argentina contribute?

The 2026 World Cup is one game away from crowning its champion. Spain and Argentina will meet on Sunday in what many had expected to be the Finalissima that never took place in March. Both teams are loaded with elite talent, but when it comes to market value, one of the finalists is missing from the most expensive starting XI.

According to Transfermarkt, the world’s most valuable lineup would be worth $1.65 billion (€1.415 billion) and line up in a 4-3-3 formation: Joan García ($53 million), Achraf Hakimi ($94 million), William Saliba ($118 million), Pau Cubarsí ($94 million), Nuno Mendes ($94 million); João Neves ($165 million), Pedri ($177 million), Vitinha ($165 million); Lamine Yamal ($236 million), Erling Haaland ($236 million) and Kylian Mbappé ($236 million).

Barça influence most valuable

Spain is the best-represented nation with four players – Joan García, Cubarsí, Pedri and Lamine Yamal – all of them from Barcelona. Argentina, meanwhile, does not have a single player in the XI.

The Albiceleste’s highest-valued player is Julián Álvarez at $118 million, ahead of Enzo Fernández ($106 million) and Lautaro Martínez. Time has inevitably reduced Lionel Messi’s market value, which now stands at $18 million.

Joan García edges Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa by about $6 million. In defense, Willian Pacho matches Cubarsí’s valuation, while Gabriel Magalhães and Marc Guéhi follow behind.

World-class stars who still miss out

Even with a combined value of more than $1.65 billion, several of soccer’s biggest names do not make the cut.

Among the midfielders left out are Jude Bellingham ($153 million), Declan Rice ($141 million), Jamal Musiala ($118 million), Florian Wirtz ($118 million) and Moisés Caicedo ($118 million).

The attacking omissions are just as striking. Michael Olise ($177 million), Vinícius Júnior ($165 million), Désiré Doué ($141 million), Bukayo Saka ($130 million), Ousmane Dembélé ($118 million) and Julián Álvarez all miss out despite their enormous market values.

A billion-dollar stage

Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium will feature some of the most valuable players in world soccer, even if not every superstar made Transfermarkt’s dream XI. By the end of the night, though, only one team will leave with the trophy.

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