Most valuable starting XI from each continent: Europe leads at €1.39 Billion

Now that all 48 participating teams for the 2026 World Cup have been decided, the overall outline of this World Cup has begun to take shape. 

Teams from all over the world will come together to compete, and many of the world's top stars will face off head-to-head. This will be the largest World Cup in history, as the World Cup expands from 32 teams to 48 for the first time. Prior to this, Transfermarkt Germany has compiled the most valuable eleven-man lineups from Europe, South America, Africa, North America, and Asia.

Europe's Most Expensive 11-Man Lineup

The goalkeeper position for the European team is filled by Italian goalkeeper Donnarumma (valued at 45 million euros), but since Italy lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-offs, he will actually miss this World Cup. The defensive line consists of four players from four different countries: Nuno Mendes of Portugal (75 million euros) at left-back, Cubarsi of Spain (80 million euros) and Saliba of France (90 million euros) at center-back, and Timber of the Netherlands (70 million euros) at right-back. Spanish player Pedri (150 million euros) sits in midfield.

Ahead of this Spaniard are Bellingham of England (140 million euros) and Olise of France (140 million euros). The right winger position is occupied by Yamal (200 million euros), the left winger is Mbappe of France (200 million euros), and the center forward position is held by Haaland of Norway (200 million euros). In this lineup, Spain and France are the two most dominant countries, with three players each selected, and the total value of the lineup is a staggering 1.39 billion euros.

South America's Most Expensive 11-Man Lineup

The goalkeeper position for the South American team is held by experienced Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson (17 million euros). The defensive line consists of two Espanyol players and two Ecuadorians: Hincapie (50 million euros) at left-back, his Arsenal teammate Gabriel (75 million euros) and Pacho (70 million euros) at center-back, and Wesley (40 million euros) at right-back. Ecuadorian Caicedo (110 million euros) and Uruguayan Valverde (120 million euros) play as central midfielders.

The number 10 position is held by Argentine Enzo (90 million euros), Brazilian star Vinicius (150 million euros) appears on the left, and Argentine star Alvarez (90 million euros) plays on the right. The center forward is Argentine striker Lautaro (85 million euros). Brazil is the most dominant country in this lineup, with four players selected, in addition to three Argentines and three Ecuadorians, and the total value of the entire lineup is 897 million euros.

Africa's Most Expensive 11-Man Lineup

The goalkeeper for the African team is Cameroonian Onana (12 million euros). Burkina Faso defender Tapsoba (35 million euros) and Côte d'Ivoire's Osman Diomande (45 million euros) partner at center-back, Morocco's Hakimi (80 million euros) plays at right-back, and Algeria's Ait-Nouri (40 million euros) plays at left-back. The central midfielder positions are jointly filled by Cameroonian Baleba (55 million euros) and Senegalese midfielder Pape Gueye (40 million euros).

The right winger is Ghanaian Semenyo (75 million euros), and the left winger is 17-year-old Côte d'Ivoire youngster Yan Diomande, whose value has recently soared by more than 30 million euros. Up front, Nigerian Osimhen (75 million euros) - who will miss this World Cup - partners with Cameroonian Mbeumo (80 million euros). Cameroon is the most dominant country in this lineup, with three players selected, and the total value of the entire lineup is 612 million euros.

North America's Most Expensive 11-Man Lineup

As the host of this tournament, the goalkeeper position for the North American team is held by Mexican Luis Malagón (6.5 million euros). The defensive line is dominated by the American team, with Noah Kade-Banks (22 million euros) and Chris Richards (25 million euros) partnering at center-back, and Dest (18 million euros) playing at right-back. However, it should be noted that Banks has not yet fully determined his national team affiliation and may still choose to represent the German team. Canadian Alphonso Davies (45 million euros) completes the final piece of the defensive line. The central midfielder is partnered by Americans Adams (25 million euros) and McKennie (30 million euros).

The American team's dominance on the flanks continues, with Tillman (30 million euros) playing on the left and Pulisic (50 million euros) - the most valuable player in the lineup - appearing on the right. The front line is partnered by Canadian Jonathan David (35 million euros) and American Folarin Balogun (30 million euros). In this lineup, seven players are from the United States, with a total value of 317 million euros.

Asia's Most Expensive 11-Man Lineup

The goalkeeper for the Asian team is Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki (20 million euros). The three-center-back combination consists of Uzbekistan defender Khusanov (35 million euros), South Korean Kim Min-jae (25 million euros), and Japanese center-back Hiroki Ito (18 million euros). The midfield is jointly anchored by South Korean Lee Kang-in (28 million euros) and Japanese midfielder Kaito Sano (25 million euros).

The right midfielder is Takefusa Kubo (30 million euros), and the left midfielder is Kaoru Mitoma (25 million euros), both from the Japanese team. South Korean legend Son (17 million euros) and Japanese stars Keito Nakamura (18 million euros) and Ritsu Doan (20 million euros) form the front three. Japan is the most dominant country in this lineup, with seven players selected, and the total value of the entire lineup is 251 million euros.