2026 FIFA World Cup Features Record 48 Teams and Billionaire Athletes

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has become historic in many ways. For the first time in the World Cup's 96-year history, 48 nations participated in the tournament. Similarly, for the first time, the World Cup is being jointly hosted by three nations (United States, Canada, and Mexico), where the tournament is being held in a record 16 cities.

Interestingly, billionaire footballers have also taken to the field for the first time in this edition. 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo is captaining Portugal, while 38-year-old Lionel Messi is leading Argentina in their title defense campaign.

However, it has become very difficult for ordinary fans to watch the World Cup live. Ticket prices for the final match have reached thousands of dollars. FIFA had put a ticket for the final, to be held on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, on sale for $32,970, which is 20 times more expensive than the final ticket for the Qatar World Cup 2022. Some tickets in the market reached prices of up to $2.3 million. Against this backdrop, Forbes had presented a list of the 11 highest-earning players at the 2026 World Cup. Now we will discuss the overall performance of these wealthy players in the 2026 World Cup.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

• Annual Income: $300 million
• On-Field Income: $235 million
• Off-Field Income: $65 million
• Age: 41 years

Cristiano Ronaldo is not only the highest-earning athlete in football but in all of sports. He has maintained this position for the fourth consecutive year. In the last 12 months, he has earned an estimated $300 million, which is one of the largest annual incomes Forbes has ever measured for an active athlete. He has also set a record as the first athlete to earn over $2 billion in his active playing career. According to Forbes, his total net worth has now reached approximately $1.2 billion.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is Ronaldo's sixth World Cup of his career. Although he has won numerous titles in the European Championship, Champions League, and domestic leagues, the World Cup trophy is yet to be added to his achievements. Before the World Cup, he played a significant role in Al-Nassr winning the Saudi Pro League in 2023, which was his first league title after moving to Saudi Arabia. Despite being 41 years old, Ronaldo led Portugal's attack, showcasing his experience and leadership, but his team could not advance beyond the Round of 16. Ronaldo played a role in inspiring the team in crucial matches. As this is likely his last World Cup, each appearance held special significance for the fans, but he and his Portugal team did not perform as expected.

2. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

• Annual Income: $140 million
• On-Field Income: $70 million
• Off-Field Income: $70 million
• Age: 38 years

Like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi has also recently joined Forbes' billionaire list. His estimated net worth has reached $1.1 billion. He is also playing in his sixth World Cup, which is a record in itself.

Argentina, which won the World Cup in 2022, is seeking its fourth title this time. Off the field, he has become the most attractive face of the tournament. He has launched new advertising campaigns with international brands like Adidas and Michelob Ultra. American company Lowe's has even released a 10-foot inflatable statue of him in the market.

Messi has maintained his extraordinary level in the 2026 World Cup. Before the semi-finals, he had scored eight goals, establishing himself at the top of the Golden Boot race. In the match against Egypt, he scored the decisive goal, giving Argentina a thrilling victory. In the process, he also secured the record for the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. Messi has once again become the most reliable player for Argentina in their campaign to win a second consecutive World Cup title. His team has reached the semi-finals by defeating Switzerland in the quarter-finals and will now face England. In this regard, Messi's performance in the World Cup has also been very valuable.

3. Kylian Mbappé (France)

• Annual Income: $95 million
• On-Field Income: $70 million
• Off-Field Income: $25 million
• Age: 27 years

Although French superstar forward Kylian Mbappé has played three fewer World Cups than Messi, he was only one goal behind Messi in the list of all-time leading World Cup scorers. Having been the top scorer in the UEFA Champions League for the 2025-26 season with Real Madrid, he was expected to showcase his incredible goal-scoring ability in the World Cup once again.

Mbappé, who led France to win the 2018 World Cup at the age of 19, successfully led the team to the final again four years later. He is currently one of the most valuable players in world football. Before the World Cup, he announced a health and lifestyle partnership with the luxury hotel group Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, and also became a brand ambassador and investor in the French health insurance company Alan.

Mbappé has continued his excellent form in the 2026 World Cup. Before the semi-finals, he is one of the main contenders for the Golden Boot with eight goals. He has scored decisive goals and delivered outstanding individual performances to lead France to the World Cup final for the second consecutive time. Throughout the tournament, his speed, finishing, and attacking leadership have been France's greatest strengths, making them strong contenders for the title. His performance in the World Cup has been extraordinary.

4. Erling Haaland (Norway)

• Annual Income: $80 million
• On-Field Income: $60 million
• Off-Field Income: $20 million
• Age: 25 years

Despite signing a long-term contract renewal with Manchester City last year, Spanish giants Real Madrid's interest in Erling Haaland has not diminished. Spanish businessman Enrique Riquelme even promised to bring Haaland to the club if he was elected president of Real Madrid. Following this, Manchester City issued a legal warning.

However, before the World Cup, Haaland's entire focus was on the Norwegian national team. This was a historic tournament for Norway, who had qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Norway last played in the World Cup two years before Haaland was born.

Haaland said in an interview with GQ, 'There is a lot of pressure on me, but I like this pressure. If I were not Erling Haaland, I would put the same pressure on myself.'

Although the 2026 World Cup is Haaland's first World Cup, he has made an extraordinary impact in the tournament. He has made the competition for the Golden Boot exciting with seven goals and played a decisive role in leading Norway to their first-ever World Cup quarter-finals. Although he couldn't score in the quarter-final loss to England in extra time (2-1), he continuously put pressure on the opposition defense throughout the tournament. After the tournament, Norway's coach Ståle Solbakken stated that his contribution was the main basis for the team's historic journey.

5. Vinícius Júnior (Brazil)

• Annual Income: $60 million
• On-Field Income: $40 million
• Off-Field Income: $20 million
• Age: 25 years

It might be the effect of Real Madrid's disappointing season, but Vinícius Júnior had refused to consider Brazil as a major title contender before the World Cup. In a conversation with Spanish content creator Ibai Llanos, he named Argentina, Portugal, Spain, and France as the main title contenders. In March, he stated that it would be inaccurate to call five-time world champions Brazil the strongest team in the tournament.

However, betting companies considered Brazil among the main favorites to win the title. Brazil, without a World Cup title for 24 years, had the huge responsibility of making them world champions again, and Vinícius was at the forefront of this.

He was also in the spotlight off the field. Before the World Cup, his digital character (skin) prepared for the popular video game Fortnite appeared in Nike's new advertisement, adding to the excitement among fans.

Brazil's campaign was not as successful as expected, and the team was eliminated in the knockout stage. Despite this, Vinícius kept Brazil's attack alive with his speed, dribbling, and creative play. However, his inability to fulfill the responsibility of scoring as expected meant that Brazil once again fell short of the World Cup title. While he continuously challenged the opposition defense individually, the team's collective performance was weak, limiting his impact.

6. Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

• Annual Income: $55 million
• Nationality: Egypt
• Age: 33 years
• On-Field Income: $35 million
• Off-Field Income: $20 million

After nine seasons with Liverpool, scoring 257 goals and winning two Premier League titles, Mohamed Salah is preparing for a new journey. The Egyptian star winger, who turns 34 on June 15, had agreed to end his contract with Liverpool a year in advance in March. This opened the way for him to join a new club this summer without any transfer fee.

But for now, his entire focus is on leading Egypt to their fourth World Cup journey. Salah, known by the nickname 'Egyptian King,' has been praised for playing a positive role in reducing negative perceptions of Islam in Liverpool. Although Egypt holds the record with seven Africa Cup of Nations titles, they have not won a single World Cup match to date. This time, it was hoped that this unfortunate history would end with the competition against Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand in Group 'G'.

Salah led Egypt to their best performance in history as captain in the 2026 World Cup. He played a crucial role in Egypt's first-ever World Cup victory by scoring the decisive goal against Belgium in the group stage. Throughout the tournament, he scored three goals and provided two assists, leading the team to the knockout stage for the first time. Although they lost to Argentina in the Round of 16, Salah's leadership, experience, and attacking play established a new identity for Egypt in world football. He was praised as one of the best African players of the tournament.

7. Sadio Mané (Senegal)

• Annual Income: $54 million
• Nationality: Senegal
• Age: 34 years
• On-Field Income: $50 million
• Off-Field Income: $4 million

2026 was a year of mixed experiences for Mané. Although he won two major titles early in the year, one of them did not stand. Before winning the Saudi Pro League with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, he led Senegal to the Africa Cup of Nations title in January. However, that title was revoked two months later after Senegalese players left the field in protest of a penalty awarded to Morocco.

Having missed the 2022 World Cup due to a knee injury, the 2026 World Cup was an excellent opportunity for Mané to re-establish himself at the top level of world football. Additionally, with his contract with Al-Nassr ending at the end of the month, it was expected that a strong performance could attract the attention of new clubs.

However, Mané could not deliver his best level of experience and leadership throughout the tournament. He did make a significant contribution to leading Senegal to the knockout stage for the first time in 24 years. Senegal's journey ended after losing to Belgium in the Round of 32.

8. Jude Bellingham (England)

• Annual Income: $44 million
• Nationality: England
• Age: 22 years
• On-Field Income: $29 million
• Off-Field Income: $15 million

Along with Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham is one of the three highest-earning World Cup players from Real Madrid. Although his 23rd birthday is still a few weeks away, he played a very important role for England in the 2022 World Cup.

Bellingham became England's second-youngest goalscorer in World Cup history by scoring in the group stage match against Iran. He also provided an assist in the Round of 16. This performance paved the way for his transfer to Real Madrid for over $100 million from Borussia Dortmund, making it one of the most expensive transfers in football history.

However, before the World Cup, England's coach Thomas Tuchel mentioned that the team had '14 or 15 potential starting players,' and Bellingham would have to compete hard for a starting spot.

Bellingham became one of England's most influential players in the 2026 World Cup. He played a key role in leading England to the World Cup semi-finals with 6 goals and 4 assists. In the quarter-final against Norway, he scored two goals to give England a victory in extra time. His ability to control the tempo of the game from midfield, make decisive passes, and score goals makes him a top contender for the best young player of the tournament. Truly, Bellingham's performance in this World Cup has been amazing.

9. Lamine Yamal (Spain)

• Annual Income: $43 million
• Nationality: Spain
• Age: 18 years
• On-Field Income: $33 million
• Off-Field Income: $10 million

Yamal missed the final stages of Barcelona's La Liga title campaign due to a hamstring injury. However, he returned to Spanish training by the end of May, and Barcelona was reportedly taking special precautions regarding his participation in the World Cup.

According to the Spanish newspaper AS, Yamal was expected to play only 15 minutes in the first match against Cape Verde and a maximum of 60 minutes in the subsequent match against Saudi Arabia. However, his popularity off the field did not diminish. In January, he signed a sponsorship deal with American fashion company American Eagle and became one of the main faces of the World Cup promotional campaigns for Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Powerade, and Visa.

After returning from injury, Yamal gradually found his rhythm and injected new energy into Spain's attack. He scored his first World Cup goal against Saudi Arabia and continued his impressive performance in the knockout stages. His speed, dribbling, and creative play were crucial in Spain's journey to the semi-finals. Even French players mentioned Yamal as one of Spain's most dangerous players before the semi-final.

10. Harry Kane (England)

• Annual Income: $41 million
• Nationality: England
• Age: 32 years
• On-Field Income: $29 million
• Off-Field Income: $12 million

Harry Kane is the only player among the 11 highest-earning players at the World Cup who plays club football in Germany's Bundesliga. The Bayern Munich striker is also England's all-time leading scorer. He has scored 79 goals in 113 international matches.

Kane, who jointly won the Golden Boot at the 2024 European Championship, aimed to lead England to the title this time. Scoring in a World Cup preparation match against New Zealand, he completed 32 goals for club and country in 2026, which was 14 goals more than any other player in the world at that time.

As captain, Kane led England's attack in the 2026 World Cup. In the first match of the tournament against Croatia, he scored two goals, equaling the record of 10 goals set by England's great scorer Gary Lineker in the World Cup.

He scored two late goals in the Round of 32 match against the Democratic Republic of Congo, giving England a thrilling 2-1 victory. By the quarter-finals, Kane was competing for the Golden Boot with 6 goals and played a decisive role in leading England to the semi-finals. Even the team's coach, Thomas Tuchel, stated that Kane's leadership and goal-scoring ability lifted the team in difficult moments.

11. Neymar (Brazil)

• Annual Income: $38 million
• Nationality: Brazil
• Age: 34 years
• On-Field Income: $10 million
• Off-Field Income: $28 million

Brazil's star forward Neymar was forced to miss pre-World Cup preparation matches while recovering from a calf injury. Brazil's coach Carlo Ancelotti stated that even if he was fully fit, he would have to compete with Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha for a place in the squad.

However, his reputation and influence remained undiminished. Brazil once again entrusted the prestigious number 10 jersey of world football to Neymar. Neymar became the first Brazilian player to wear this jersey, worn by legends like Pelé, Zico, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and Kaká, in four World Cups.

Neymar was sidelined due to injury at the start of the World Cup and missed Brazil's first two matches. Coach Ancelotti took special precautions regarding his fitness. However, he made an emotional comeback in the final group stage match against Scotland after 981 days, returning to the Brazil jersey. The fans gave him a grand reception upon his entry, showing that his influence in Brazilian football was still strong.

However, due to injury and limited playing time, he could not make the decisive impact he had in previous World Cups. 

From Forbes