Japan ranks first among national teams with the highest valuation in the 2023 Asian Cup. Based on data from the sports website Transfermarkt, Hajime Moriyasu's team has a market value of €318.4 million, or approximately Rp5.41 trillion (at an exchange rate of Rp17,015 per euro).
Takefusa Kubo is the most expensive player on the Japanese national team. The Real Sociedad player has a valuation of €60 million.
Brighton and Hove Albion's Kaoru Mitoma has a market value of €50 million, followed by Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu at €30 million.
At least 15 of Japan's most expensive players currently play in European leagues. Therefore, it's not surprising that the selling price of the squad from the Land of the Rising Sun is fantastic within Asia.
South Korea is second on the list of the most expensive squads in the 2023 Asian Cup, with a market value of €193 million. This squad includes several well-known players, such as Bayern Munich's key defender Kim Min-jae (€60 million), Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min (€50 million), and Wolves striker Hee-chan Hwang (€22 million), who have significantly contributed to the Taeguk Warriors' valuation.
Here is a list of the 10 national football teams with the highest valuations in the 2023 Asian Cup, according to Transfermarkt:
1. Japan: €318.4 million
2. South Korea: €193 million
3. Iran: €51.58 million
4. Australia: €41 million
5. United Arab Emirates: €32.05 million
6. Uzbekistan: €25.45 million
7. Saudi Arabia: €23.15 million
8. Syria: €16.58 million
9. Qatar: €15.9 million
10. Jordan: €13.65 million
Indonesia, Japan's potential opponent in the group stage, ranks 16th out of 24 participants with the highest valuations in the 2023 Asian Cup.
According to Transfermarkt, the team coached by Shin Tae-yong has a valuation of €8.9 million. Sandy Walsh is the most expensive Garuda team player, with a market value of €1.50 million.
Nevertheless, Indonesia has the second-highest valuation after Thailand (€10.05 million) in the ASEAN zone at the 2023 Asian Cup. In this edition, Indonesia's squad valuation is above Malaysia (€6.78 million) and Vietnam (€5.83 million).
Recently, two countries have secured their places in the Round of 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup: Qatar and Australia.
Qatar became the first team to advance to the knockout stage or Round of 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup after winning 1-0 against Tajikistan on Wednesday (January 17, 2024). Meanwhile, Australia secured the second spot after defeating Syria 1-0 on Thursday (January 18, 2024).
These victories put Qatar and Australia at the top of their respective group standings with a total of six points.