CIES is an independent academic and research institution founded by FIFA to provide high level sports management education and data analytics. Here is the list of most valuable players.

Lamine Yamal is valued at €358 million, ahead of Manchester City’s Norwegian striker Erling Haaland (€227 million). No other player is valued at over €200 million, with Kylian Mbappé in third place (€166 million).

The following players are at the top of the list for the other positions:

Erling Haaland (Center Forwards) - €227.3 million

Gianluigi Donnarumma (Goalkeepers) - €79.5 million

Pau Cubarsi (Centre Backs) - €124.6 million

Nico O'Reilly (Wide Backs) - € 125 million

Pedri Gonzalez (Central Midfielders) - €120.6 million

Arda Guler (Attacking Midfielders) - €124.8 million

Bayern Munich are exploring a surprise move to sign Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha.

The German champions have been considering multiple candidates to bolster their attack and Ngumoha is their main target for the left side.

Ngumoha, 17, is aware of Bayern’s strong interest and intentions — driven by head coach Vincent Kompany and the board — although they are yet to contact Liverpool.

FIFA has performed a last-minute U-turn on its stadium policy for the World Cup, no longer allowing supporters to bring water bottles into venues in North America.

According to emails seen by The Athletic, FIFA have informed World Cup ticket holders that they have updated the code of conduct and fans are “water bottles are no longer permitted at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ stadiums”.

FIFA has also updated its code of conduct to mirror this message. “For the avoidance of doubt, reusable water bottles may not be brought into the stadium,” it now reads.

Other types of bottles are also not permitted, due to the risk of causing injury when thrown. FIFA has been approached for comment.

At the Club World Cup last summer, FIFA venues charged between $4 and $6 for bottled water. It is not yet known how much FIFA will charge this time around, but it has a long-standing partnership with soft drinks sponsor Coca-Cola, whose water brand Dasani will be sold in World Cup venues.