Observatoire du football CIES

Top-valued teams: three main favourites

Roger Besson — 2026-06-10T05:26:18Z

Based on the estimated transfer values* of the selected players, three national teams look like the main favourites to win the 2026 World Cup. England top the ranking with a total squad value of €1.454 billion. They are followed by France (€1.436 billion) and Spain (€1.407 billion).

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Most expensive players: Yamal in a league of his own

Roger Besson — 2026-06-03T05:17:15Z

The 549th Weekly Post presents the 100 players in the world with the highest estimated transfer value, as calculated from the CIES Football Observatory's statistical model. FC Barcelona's young Spanish prodigy, Lamine Yamal, crushes the competition with a valuation of €358 million. Ahead of Manchester City's Norwegian striker Erling Haaland (€227 million).

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Most popular clubs on social media

Roger Besson — 2026-05-27T05:01:34Z

The 548th Weekly Post from the CIES Football Observatory ranks clubs worldwide according to their number of followers on the main social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube et X). Two clubs stand out : Real Madrid (488 million followers) et Barcelona (442 million). England's Manchester United complete the top three (239 million), ahead of Paris Saint-Germain (208 (...)

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Best XIs of the season: 34 leagues

Roger Besson — 2026-05-20T04:52:42Z

The 547th CIES Football Observatory Weekly Post presents the Team of the Season (4-2-1-3) for 34 leagues reaching their conclusion. The selection was made by taking into account players' performances (eight game areas for outfield players and the difference between goals expected goals and conceded for goalkeepers ; Impect data), the results of matches in which players' participated, and playing (...)

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Player exports: Brazil ahead of France

Roger Besson — 2026-05-13T05:04:50Z

The 546th CIES Football Observatory Weekly Post presents the 50 nations worldwide with the highest number of expatriates currently playing in 135 professional leagues across the globe. As last year, Brazil remains the leading exporter (1,455 players abroad, +37), but is being hotly pursued by France (1,275, +86), with reigning world champions Argentina in third place (1,016, (...)

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Two-thirds of coaches in the job for less than a year

Roger Besson — 2026-05-06T05:00:16Z

The 545th CIES Football Observatory Weekly Post shows that 65.2% of teams across 55 leagues worldwide have changed their head coach at least once over the past year. This proportion is close to that recorded on the same date last year (see here). This finding reflects chronic instability in most clubs.

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Highest-rated young goalkeepers

Roger Besson — 2026-04-29T04:56:58Z

The 544th Weekly Post lists the 100 goalkeepers who did not yet turn 23 with the highest estimated transfer value, as calculated using the CIES Football Observatory statistical model. Topping the list with a value of €47 million is Mike Penders, the Belgian goalkeeper on loan from Chelsea to RC Strasbourg.

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Most powerful football agencies: global ranking

Roger Besson — 2026-04-22T04:55:56Z

The 543rd CIES Football Observatory Weekly Post presents the world's most powerful football agencies. The ranking is based on the aggregate transfer value of the players represented by the companies or for whom the latter hold transfer negotiation rights, according to publicly available information.

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Top U23 outfield players: 67 leagues

Roger Besson — 2026-04-15T05:05:59Z

The 542nd CIES Football Observatory Weekly Post presents the U23 outfield players currently active in 67 leagues worldwide who have performed best over the last six months. The rankings have been compiled based on players' performances across eight game areas (Impect data), the sporting level of matches played, results and playing time.

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Top development clubs: use of U21 players

Roger Besson — 2026-04-08T04:41:22Z

The 541st CIES Football Observatory Weekly Post highlights the clubs currently competing in 50 top divisions worldwide where footballers who had not yet turned 21 have played the highest percentage of minutes in domestic league matches over the last five years. Denmark's FC Nordsjælland top the list with no less than 44.7% of minutes by U21s.

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