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The World Cup is the pinnacle competition for many footballers and without question the biggest international tournament. Nations from every continent participate in the World Cup and it’s watched by billions all across the planet. The 2026 World Cup this summer will be the inaugural event for two main reasons; it’s the first to be hosted by three nations - United States, Canada and Mexico - and it’s also been expanded to 48 teams, from 32.
The biggest names in football will descend on North America with the dreams of lifting the famous trophy. Lionel Messi famously inspired Argentina to the ultimate glory in Qatar in 2022 and they’ll be amongst the favourites this summer, alongside England, France, Portugal and Spain. It will truly be a festival of football this summer but we’ve analysed the most valuable players in history yet to feature at any World Cup, as yet.
The most valuable players to never feature at the World Cup
Using Transfermarkt’s famed market values, we’ve analysed the most valuable stars not to feature at the World Cup, using their record valuations in history. Erling Haaland is the most valuable player to never feature at any World Cup, although he will participate this summer after leading Norway to qualification. Haaland’s current market value of €200m is also his record valuation and he’s €60m higher than any other player in the top twenty list. As the graphic below illustrates, Liverpool duo Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak are tied with their record market values of €140m.
Germany’s hopes this summer will lie on the shoulders of Wirtz while Isak will feature, if Sweden face Poland in the play-off final tonight. Victor Osimhen will miss out on yet another World Cup after Nigeria lost on penalties to DR Congo in November, but Martin Ødegaard, who completes the top five, will lead Norway out this summer. Some players have been part of their nations squads at World Cups but never featured like Marc-André ter Stegen, who travelled with Germany in 2022.
