Most valuable national teams in Asia: Where do Japan, South Korea rank?

Traditionally, Asia has not been a dominant continent in world football, evident by the fact no Asian team has ever won the World Cup.

However, with the growing talent in Asian football, that could change, and the expansion of the World Cup has also helped them with nine Asian teams participating in 2026.

Japan have established themselves as the dominant AFC nation with their tally of four Asian Cups unmatched, but they have faced plenty of competition over the years to be the top dog.

Here, FootballWhispers ranks the 10 most valuable national teams in Asia.

Top 10 most valuable national teams in Asia

Top 10 Most Valuable National Teams in Asia

AFC confederation • Market values in GBP

Ranking of the 10 most valuable Asian national football teams by total squad market value converted to British pounds

#	Country	Conf.	Market Value
1	Japan	AFC	£266.9m
2	South Korea	AFC	£108.2m
3	Uzbekistan	AFC	£70.7m
4	Australia	AFC	£52.6m
5	Saudi Arabia	AFC	£30.0m
6	United Arab Emirates	AFC	£24.7m
7	Iran	AFC	£21.7m
8	Indonesia	AFC	£18.6m
9	Jordan	AFC	£18.0m
10	Qatar	AFC	£17.2m

Values converted from EUR at approximate rate of £0.85 per €1 (September 2026). Source: Transfermarkt.

10. Qatar (£17.2m)

Qatar's national team are only valued at £17.2m, which is surprising considering the recent success they have had.

Indeed, they have won the last two Asian Cups, beating Jordan 3-1 in the most recent final in 2023.

Qatar have also qualified for the previous two World Cups, the first as hosts in 2022 and the second in 2026.

Their most valuable player is Akram Afif (£6.9m), who plays his club football with Al Sadd.

9. Jordan (£18.0m)

Fellow 2023 Asian Cup finalists Jordan are ranked slightly above Qatar in market value (£18.0m).

Incidentally, that was the only final they have made, and so they have never won the Asian Cup.

Jordan were also one of the debutants at World Cup 2026, but like Qatar, failed at the first hurdle.

Their most valuable player is Mousa Al-Tamari (£8.6m), who plays for Stade Rennais.

8. Indonesia (£18.6m)

Indonesia are ranked eighth with an £18.6m value.

Unlike Qatar and Jordan, they have never played in an Asian Cup final, so have never won it.

Indonesia have also only participated once in the World Cup, which was in 1938 as Dutch East Indies before gaining independence in 1945.

Their most valuable player is Jay Idzes (£12.0m), who plays for Sassuolo.

7. Iran (£21.7m)

Iran rank in seventh with a value of £21.7m.

They too participated in World Cup 2026, but were knocked out in the group stage.

Iran have actually participated in the last four World Cups, and have won the Asian Cup three times.

Their most valuable player is Sardar Azmoun (£5.1m), who plays for Shabab Al Ahli.

6. United Arab Emirates (£24.7m)

United Arab Emirates have a value of £24.7m, £3m more than Iran.

However, they have only played in one World Cup, where they were knocked out of the group stage in 1990.

UAE have also never won the Asian Cup, reaching the final once in 1996 and losing to Saudi Arabia.

Their most valuable player is Fabio Lima (£4.3m), who plays for Al Wasl.

5. Saudi Arabia (£30.0m)

Saudi Arabia break into the top five with a £30.0m value.

They have participated in the previous three World Cups, and their best finish has been the round of 16.

The Saudis have also won the Asian Cup three times, and have played in three further finals.

Their most valuable player is Saud Abdulhamid, who plays his club football for Lens.

4. Australia (£52.6m)

Australia rank fourth with a £52.6m value.

They were one of only two Asian teams to progress past the group stage at World Cup 2026, and have participated in the last six World Cups in total.

The Socceroos have also won the Asian Cup, which was in 2015.

Australia's most valuable player is Alessandro Circati (£15.5m), who plays for Benfica.

3. Uzbekistan (£70.7m)

Taking the bronze medal is Uzbekistan with a £70.7m value.

They made their World Cup debut in 2026, but were knocked out at the group stage.

However, Uzbekistan have never won the Asian Cup, or even made the final.

Their most valuable player is Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov (£43.0m), who is the joint-most valuable Asian player in the world.

2. South Korea (£108.2m)

The first team to break the £100m barrier is South Korea, with a value of £108.2m.

They have played at the World Cup more than any other Asian nation (12), and also boast the best finish, placing fourth as they co-hosted in 2002.

South Korea have also won the Asian Cup twice, and have been runners-up more than any other Asian team (four).

Their most valuable player is Lee Kang-in (£24.0m), who joined Atletico Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain in 2026.

Most valuable national team in Asia: Japan (£266.9m)

Unsurprisingly, Japan are the most valuable national team in Asia.

Their value of £266.9m is more than South Korea, Uzbekistan, Australia and Saudi Arabia's combined!

Japan have played at the last eight World Cups, but their best finish has been in the round of 16.

They have also won four Asian Cups, more than anyone else, and their most valuable player is Mainz's Kaishu Sano (£43.0m), joint with Khusanov as Asia's most valuable player overall.