Every FIFA World Cup squad's dollar value: Eye-watering $919.3 million gulf between Socceroos and Messi's Argentina
Eye-watering $919.3M gulf facing Aussies
Australia's gargantuan task against the South American heavyweights in the Round of 16 is obvious when the value of the two squads are laid bare.
Not only does Argentina's squad value dwarf that of Australia by an incredible $919.3 million, several of Argentina's players are worth more than the 26 Socceroos combined.
Despite no longer being the Argentine player with the highest market value - that honour belongs to striker Lautaro Martinez (market value of $116 million) - Lionel Messi is still his team's talisman.
The 35-year-old, who is in his fifth World Cup, has a market value of $76.5 million, well in excess of the Socceroos' total squad value of $59.3 million.
See the following slides for information on the values of each of the 32 squads at the FIFA World Cup.
The World Cup's most valuable squads
We've ranked each of the 32 nations to qualify for the World Cup in order of market value. There's some eye-popping numbers, and the most expensive players on some squads may surprise you.
All figures are in Australian dollars and courtesy of transfermarkt.com
32. Qatar - $23.1 million
Most valuable player: Akram Afif ($6.2 million)
The host nation checks in as the cheapest squad by market value at just $23.1 million.
The 26-year-old Afif, who plies his trade for Al-Sadd in the Qatar Stars League, is Qatar's most valuable player, and has netted 26 times in 89 international appearances.
31. Costa Rica - $29 million
Most valuable player: Keylor Navas ($7.7 million)
Costa Rica checks in ahead of the hosts with veteran goalkeeper Navas still the country's most valuable player.
Navas has 107 caps for Costa Rica and also has three UEFA Champions League titles to his name courtesy of his time with Real Madrid.
He is currently the back-up keeper behind Gianluigi Donnarumma at Paris Saint-Germain.
30. Saudi Arabia - $39 million
Most valuable player: Salem Al-Dawsari ($2.8 million)
The Saudis are the next most valuable squad and their wealth is well spread.
The 31-year-old Al-Dawsari is the most valuable and has netted 17 times in 70 appearances for his country.
Like the rest of his teammates in the World Cup squad, Al-Dawsari plays his club football in the Saudi Professional League.
29. Australia - $59.3 million
Most valuable player: Aaron Mooy ($6.2 million)
Australia has constantly battled above and beyond its weight class in various sports and it's never more evident than at the World Cup.
Despite being one of the squad's veterans who is past his prime years, Mooy remains the Socceroos' most valuable player.
He has made 53 appearances for Australia and scored seven goals and was in the Socceroos' 2018 World Cup squad.
28. Iran - $92.1 million
Most valuable player: Mehdi Taremi ($30.9 million)
Incredibly a third of Iran's total squad value comes from one player, star striker Mehdi Taremi.
The 30-year-old is a seasoned veteran of Iran's team, having slammed in 28 goals in 60 international appearances since making his debut back in 2015.
Taremi currently plies his trade at Portuguese powerhouse FC Porto, where he's netted 42 times in just 78 league appearances since joining the club in 2020.
27. Tunisia - $96.5 million
Most valuable player: Ellyes Skhiri ($20.1 million)
Tunisia is at its second straight World Cup after qualifying for the 2018 edition in Russia.
Star midfielder Ellyes Skhiri is one of a number of players who is in his second World Cup, and he is currently the squad's most valuable player.
Skhiri plays his club football at FC Koln in Germany's Bundesliga and has made 49 appearances and scored three goals for his country.
26. Ecuador - $226.6 million
Most valuable player: Moises Caicedo ($58.8 million)
Almost a quarter of Ecuador's total squad value comes by virtue of midfield starlet Moises Caicedo.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a strong season with Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Premier League, and is being courted by a number of big English clubs as a result.
He is one of three Premier League players in Ecuador's squad alongside Brighton teammates Pervis Estupinan and Jeremy Sarimento.
25. Japan - $238.2 million
Most valuable player: Takehiro Tomiyasu ($38.7 million)
Japan brings a younger team to Qatar with World Cup mainstays from previous editions such as Keisuke Honda now retired.
Tomiyasu is one of Japan's best young talents and is the squad's most valuable player after playing a vital role in Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side.
The 24-year-old right back could soon be passed by 21-year-old winger Takefusa Kubo who spent three seasons on Real Madrid's books before joining La Liga rivals Real Sociedad this season.
