Squad value is always a great indicator for success in club football – can the same be said for the international stage?

Ah, international breaks. You can almost hear the collective groan of the nation whenever one eventually rolls around, and it sinks in that we will be without elite club football for more than three days.

But bear in mind, this is a World Cup year. It’s not long before our boys – or the boys of whatever national team you support – will be wandering out onto that pitch in Qatar.

The world’s most valuable national teams

We know squad value is a great indicator for success, at the end of the day the higher the value, the better the players in theory. It’s always been an integral element of the Manchester City or the Real Madrid business model. It breeds success.

Besides, you only have to look at the transfer values of some of the most sought-after players on Virgin Bet FIVES to see that big-money valuations and top-class performances fit hand in glove.

So, with the World Cup on the horizon why not take a look at the 30 most valuable international squads in football. (Source: transfermarkt)

30. Mali- £169.56 million

29. Ukraine- £174.87 million

28. United States- £185.04 million

27. Sweden- £188.57 million

Soccer Football - World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Play-Off - Sweden v Czech Republic - Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden - March 24, 2022 Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates with Victor Nilsson Lindelof after the match Jonas Ekstromer/TT News Agency via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. SWEDEN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN SWEDEN.

26. Mexico- £189.54 million

25. Morocco- £195.86 million

24. Switzerland- £206.28 million

23. Austria - £219.51 million

22. Nigeria- £242.33 million

21. Scotland- £244.53 million

20. Poland- £251.19 million

Soccer Football - World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Path B Playoff Final - Poland v Sweden - Silesian Stadium, Chorzow, Poland - March 29, 2022 Poland's Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Kacper Pempel

19. Turkey- £270.09 million

18. Colombia- £274.59 million

17. Denmark- £286.20 million

16. Ivory Coast- £288.68 million

15. Croatia- £288.81 million

14. Norway- £289.08 million

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Norway v Armenia - Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway - March 29, 2022 Norway's Alexander Sorloth celebrates scoring their ninth goal with teammates Stian Lysberg Solum/NTB via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NORWAY OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN NORWAY.

13. Senegal- £298.40 million

12. Serbia- £302.94 million

11. Belgium- £312.30 million

10. Uruguay- £347.76 million

Soccer Football - World Cup - South American Qualifiers - Uruguay v Peru - Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay - March 24, 2022 Uruguay's Luis Suarez celebrates after qualifying to the World Cup Qatar 2022 Pool via REUTERS/Raul Martinez

9. Argentina- £526.95 million

8. Italy- £527.40 million

7. Netherlands- £530.55 million

6. Germany- £666.45 million

5. Portugal- £672.75 million

Soccer Football - World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Path C Playoff Final - Portugal v North Macedonia - Estadio do Dragao, Porto, Portugal - March 29, 2022 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after qualifying for the World Cup Qatar 2022 REUTERS/Miguel Vidal

4. Spain- £705.15 million

3. Brazil- £761.40 million

2. France- £873.45 million

1. England- £940.05 million

Soccer Football - International Friendly - England v Switzerland - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - March 26, 2022 England's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

England top the charts

The Three Lions are in at number one and when you think about it, it’s not too much of a surprise. Gareth Southgate is spoilt for choice when it comes to young world class talent, the issue is getting them all on the pitch, especially when it comes to right-backs…

Then of course you have the Harry Kane factor, who adds about as much to the team value as he does to England’s hopes of winning their first World Cup since 1966 and your chances of thriving on Virgin Bet FIVES. Plenty.

At number two, France. ‘Les Bleus’ always seem to have the best players around and with the form Karim Benzema is in, you might even have to treat them as favourites for the prize.

Whilst the remainder of the top five is made up by Brazil, Spain, and Portugal. All full to the brim with talent from the English and Spanish first divisions.  

Soccer Football - World Cup - South American Qualifiers - Brazil v Chile - Estadio Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - March 24, 2022 Brazil's Neymar during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

There are a few surprises, though, with Belgium not even breaking the top 10. The ‘Red Devils’ might officially be ranked as the number one national side in the world; however, many of their better players are the wrong side of 30 hampering their total value.

Dare it be suggested that it will hamper them on the pitch also? It seems we could be about to wave goodbye to the so called 'Golden Generation' trophy-less.

Could team valuations prove a strong measure for success in the upcoming World Cup? Who knows. But England fans will surely think so.

This article is brought to you by Virgin Bet. To get involved yourself, head to Virgin Bet FIVES. Across Monday to Friday, you’ll be given five random players for the weekend’s fixtures; each time one scores, you get free cash, up to £50. Go to Virgin Bet for full terms and conditions. 18+ and please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org