The 10 highest valued players not at the World Cup

FT Desk

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
• 4 min read

Erling Haaland is the highest valued player in football not going to the World Cup in Qatar this winter, but who joins the Manchester City and Norway goal-machine in watching from home this winter?

Haaland has 21 goals in 23 caps for his country, five of which were scored in six games in UEFA qualifying, but the Man City man's firepower couldn't stop Norway from finishing third in Group G behind the Netherlands and Turkey.

City paid Borussia Dortmund just €60 million for Haaland's services this summer, and his value has already climbed to €143.6m - second only to PSG and France star Kylian Mbappe at €147.3m - after racing to the top of the Premier League scoring charts with 18 goals from 13 games.

READ: Erling Haaland at Man City: Goals, assists, results & fixtures in 2022-23

Scotland captain Andy Robertson is the next highest valued player on the list generated by Football Transfers' in-house algorithm, the Scots still without a World Cup Finals tournament since France '98 despite the Liverpool left-back's best efforts.

Completing the podium is Florian Wirtz, valued at €70.8m. Germany, unlike Norway and Scotland, did in fact qualify for the competition in Qatar, but injury issues mean the Bayer Leverkusen youngster has been left at home.

European champions Italy are the highest ranked nation not at the tournament per FIFA's latest world rankings. Their most valuable players are Nicolo Barella (€62.9m) and Sandro Tonali (€61.3m), who turn out for Inter and AC Milan respectively at club level.

READ: Revealed: Sancho’s discipline issue that frustrated England

England have the highest valued likely starting XI in Qatar, but they have left two players at home who are among the top 10 per transfer value. Chelsea right-back Reece James - rated at €69.4m - picked up a knee injury at precisely the wrong time for the competition - while Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho's (€66.2m) lack of form cost him.

Who are the highest valued players not in Qatar?