Highlights from the data:
- Japan’s €316m squad value more than 21 AC teams combined
- Japan favourites to win the tournament @5/2
- Min-jae Kim and Takefusa Kubo’s value is higher than 22 out of the 24 teams competing
- Iran’s Mehdi Taremi is the most valued player outside of Japan and South Korea
The 2023 Asia Cup gets underway next week with some of the continent’s biggest names set to go toe-to-toe in Qatar.
Premier League stars such as Heung Min-Son, Kaoru Mitoma, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Hee-chan Hwang and Wataru Endo are all set to feature.
Also, players based across Europe such as Min-jae Kim, Takefusa Kubo, Ritsu Doan, Kang-in Lee and Ko Itakura will also be contributing their part.
Ahead of the tournament, here at Safe Betting Sites we’ve taken a look into the squad value of Japan and we will also take a closer look at some of the most valuable players.
Japan’s €316.95m Squad Value Commands Above All Asia Cup Teams
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Japan’s vast overall squad value of €316.95m sees them come in as the bookies favourites to win the 2023 Asia Cup.
The Samurai Blue can be backed at a tempting 5/2 to go all the way in Qatar, and they also boast some of the most valuable players that will be on display at the tournament.
Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo is their most valuable star at €60m, with Brighton & Hove Albion’s Kaoru Mitoma coming in at €50m.
Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is Japan’s third-highest valuable player at €30m. Stuttgart centre-back Horoki Ito is valued at €22m with Freiburg winger Ritsu Doan worth €18m.
Hajime Moriyasu’s side are the most successful nation in Asia Cup history and it’ll likely take something spectacular for them not to win a fifth title.
| Team | Squad Value | Odds of winning |
| Japan | €316,950,000.00 | 5/2 |
| South Korea | €193,000,000.00 | 9/2 |
| Iran | €51,580,000.00 | 7/1 |
| Australia | €40,950,000.00 | 6/1 |
| U.A.E | €31,550,000.00 | 25/1 |
| Uzbekistan | €26,150,000.00 | 25/1 |
| Saudi Arabia | €23,300,000.00 | 13/2 |
| Syria | €16,530,000.00 | 100/1 |
| Qatar | €15,900,000.00 | 12/1 |
| Jordan | €13,180,000.00 | 100/1 |
| Iraq | €11,780,000.00 | 33/1 |
| China | €11,330,000.00 | 28/1 |
| Bahrain | €9,680,000.00 | 125/1 |
| Thailand | €8,830,000.00 | 150/1 |
| Indonesia | €8,700,000.00 | 300/1 |
| Oman | €7,500,000.00 | 50/1 |
| Lebanon | €7,430,000.00 | 200/1 |
| Tajikistan | €7,330,000.00 | 200/1 |
| Malaysia | €6,730,000.00 | 250/1 |
| India | €6,530,000.00 | 275/1 |
| Palestine | €6,500,000.00 | 110/1 |
| Vietnam | €6,330,000.00 | 110/1 |
| Hong Kong | €6,250,000.00 | 500/1 |
| Kyrgyzstan | €6,250,000.00 | 275/1 |
Min-jae Kim and Takefusa Kubo Worth More Than 22 Out Of 24 Asia Cup Countries
This may or may not come as a surprise but South Korea’s Min-jae Kim and Japan’s Takefusa Kubo are worth more than 22 of the 24 competing nations at the 2023 Asia Cup.
The duo are valued at €60m each which dwarves the entire squad values of Saudi Arabia, Australia and even Iran.
Kim was signed by European giants Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023 after helping Napoli win the Scudetto last season.
Kubo has been one of the standout performers in La Liga in 2023/24, contributing 6 goals and 3 assists for Real Sociedad.
Iran’s Mehdi Taremi Ranks As Most Valued Player Outside Of Japan And South Korea
Japan’s squad value is worth a hugely impressive €123m more than nearest rivals South Korea but the 2023 Asia Cup does boast some valuable players from other nations.
Iran’s Mehdi Taremi is a prime example and is the most valuable player outside of Japan and South Korea, worth €12m.
At club level, Taremi represents Portuguese giants Porto and has scored an impressive 61 goals in 114 league appearances.
For his country, Taremi has netted an equally impressive 43 goals in 76 appearances. He will definately be worth keeping an eye on in Qatar.
Note: All squad and player values come via Transfermarkt.com.
