$1.6bn gulf between Group C giants France and Bert’s Socceroos

AS the old saying goes, football isn’t played on paper.

Over the next four weeks, a blend of wide reaching factors will culminate in one of 32 nations lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy in Moscow on July 17 AEST, as the world’s best players and their managerial shepherds vie for the world game’s ultimate prize.

But suppose, hypothetically, the 21st FIFA World Cup was to be decided purely on the financial worth of each squad – who would emerge as the planet’s number one side?

Well perhaps unfortunately for the Socceroos, it is the well documented riches of the French who trump their rivals with a ridiculous squad value of $1.68b, according to transfermarkt.com – and the personification of the bulk of that absurd figure will take to the park in Kazan to open their campaign with the green and gold firmly in their sights.

Didier Deschamps’ men are joined atop the wealth standings by Spain, with the one-time world champs tipping the financial scales slightly adrift at a jaw dropping $1.6b.

Unsurprisingly, the hierarchy is dominated by the usual heavyweights of international football, with the top seven on these alternate rankings correlating directly with the upper echelon of favourites to lift the trophy via on-pitch displays.

Following France and Spain is pre-tournament favourites Brazil, with Tite’s men worth $1.5b – astoundingly, just over an eighth of that amount accounts for talisman Neymar alone.

Rounding out the top seven, are defending champs Germany ($1.37b), England ($1.35b), Belgium ($1.17b) and Argentina ($1.08b).

As for the Aussies, Bert van Marwijk’s side head to Russia as the sixth least expensive squad – with only Iran, Costa Rica, Peru Saudi Arabia and Panama boasting squads worth less.

The 23-man Socceroos outfit is worth a combined total of $76.5m – a staggering 22 times less than their French opponents.

Group C is rounded out by Denmark ($402m) and Peru ($58m).

While Panama weigh in as the cheapest side at the tournament, with a total squad net worth of a miniscule $13m.