Jude Bellingham is World Cup star with highest transfer value, England most valuable squad - CIES study

With the 2022 World Cup mere days away, the CIES Football Observatory has been busily raking through the data to estimate which players taking part in Qatar would move for the highest transfer fee if they were to switch clubs in the upcoming winter window.

The CIES uses its bespoke algorithm to assign transfer values to each player called up by one of the 32 national teams taking part, and together they have a combined value of €15 billion.

The most valuable player in each squad has also been named based on age, experience, the level at which they play their club football and the remaining duration of their current contract.

Having scoured the latest report, here are the main talking points.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

Most valuable player at the World Cup

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham is ranked by CIES as the most valuable player at the 2022 World Cup with an estimated transfer value of €202m.

The 19-year-old England international is narrowly ahead of Vinicius Junior, with Real Madrid's star Brazil forward valued at €201m, making him the most coveted player in the Selecao's 26-man tournament selection.

Despite his Paris Saint-Germain contract being due to expire in the summer of 2024, Kylian Mbappe still emerges as Les Bleus' most valuable player and the third-highest overall at €185m.

Most valuable squad

England have the most valuable squad at the 2022 World Cup, according to the CIES, with a cumulative total of €1.499bn. While Bellingham alone accounts for 13.5% of that total, it is also boosted by teammates such as Phil Foden (€200m), Bukayo Saka (€120m) and Mason Mount (€100m).

Brazil have the second-highest value squad at €1.455bn, largely thanks to their contingent of Real Madrid players. As well as Vinicius, Eder Militao and Rodrygo are both worth €110m while Arsenal duo Gabriel Jesus (€120m) and Gabriel Martinelli (€100m) are also up there. Neymar, whose €222m transfer to PSG in 2017 remains a world record, is valued at €70m by the CIES.

Reigning world champions France are third at €1.34bn. Les Bleus retain their place on the podium even after the withdrawal through injury of Christopher Nkunku (€120m) as they still have young stars like Real Madrid duo Aurelien Tchouameni (€100m) and Eduardo Camavinga (€90m) as well as Ousmane Dembele, Kingsley Coman and William Saliba (all €70m).