The 2026 World Cup may have brought more eyes to football than any other competition in history, as some players have now found out just how popular and well-known they’ve become.

Even Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the most recognisable football stars for the past two decades, have grown in popularity. Meanwhile, young stars like Lamine Yamal and Jude Bellingham are only growing in stature and notoriety.

But who has risen the most in terms of popularity and fame over the entire course of the 2026 World Cup? Well, Sportico have compiled a list of the 10 players who saw their Instagram following grow the most over the summer.

10. Endrick (Brazil)

REUTERS/Mike Segar

Endrick wasn’t unleashed too often at the 2026 World Cup, but he’ll undoubtedly be an important player for Brazil in future tournaments. He netted against Haiti before missing a massive chance in the Round of 16 defeat vs Norway. Despite his disappointing time in America, the Real Madrid youngster still went from 18 million followers to just shy of 24 million.

9. Michael Olise (France)

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Sam Navarro

Michael Olise surpassed Pele (6) to become the player with the most assists in a single World Cup campaign (7) as France just fell short of achieving a third star on their badge. Nonetheless, the Bayern Munich star captured imaginations, which saw his following grow by 5.7 million over the summer.

8. Gilberto Mora (Mexico)

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The youngest player on this list, Mexico’s Gilberto Mora has already reached stardom in his home country. The 17-year-old was a crucial part of the midfield that reached the Round of 16, and his 7.7 million following will only continue to grow as he does.

7. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Lionel Messi’s Argentina went the distance just as they did in 2022, reaching a second consecutive final. However, the South Americans fell just short of the trophy, losing to Spain. Messi played his part in dragging La Albiceleste towards a fourth title, scoring eight goals and setting up another four. He already had more than 500 million Instagram followers before the tournament, and has still managed to attract 7.5 million new fans.

6. Neymar (Brazil)

REUTERS/Paul Childs/Action Images

Neymar’s World Cup was meant to be a fairytale that saw the veteran forward show up on the biggest stage when Brazil needed him for one last time. Instead, his campaign was interrupted by injury, and he was powerless as the Selecao crashed out at the Round of 16. Despite bowing out in floods of tears, the 34-year-old now has over 242 million followers on Instagram after the World Cup.

5. Lamine Yamal (Spain)

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

European and now world champion before turning 20, Lamine Yamal has essentially completed international football as a teenager. While he has a long way to go if he’s to match Lionel Messi’s legacy on the pitch, the Spanish youngster is clearly rising in popularity already; just ask his 11 million new fans.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Reuters/Maria Lysaker

Cristiano Ronaldo ended up receiving a lot of negativity throughout Portugal’s run to the Round of 16. While his days on the pitch are now numbered, the 41-year-old is still the most well-known footballer on the planet. A new 11 million followers is absolutely incredible when considering he already had well over 600 million heading into the tournament.

3. Jude Bellingham (England)

REUTERS/Paul Childs

To think there were some legitimate calls for Jude Bellingham to be left out of England’s squad completely. The Real Madrid superstar forced his way into Thomas Tuchel’s XI and proved his doubters wrong with seven goals as the Three Lions finished third. Bellingham’s popularity soared throughout the summer, with many believing he was going to be the man to bring football home. He now boasts 53.3 million followers.

2. Vozinha (Cape Verde)

Bernadett Szabo via Reuters

Cape Verde are one of the biggest success stories of the entire World Cup. Reaching the knockout stages after holding eventual champions Spain to a goalless draw before taking Argentina to extra-time, the story will never be forgotten. A key part of that was 40-year-old goalkeeper Josimar Dias, also known as Vozinha. Incredibly, he went from 30,000 followers to 29.4m over the course of the World Cup.

1. Erling Haaland (Norway)

Burt Granofsky/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA via Reuters

The United States of America fell in love with Norway and more specifically, Erling Haaland. His goalscoring ability was just one of the things that caught the eye of fans from all over the globe. Putting Norway firmly on the radar in international football, Haaland secured an incredible rise of 32 million additional followers, despite already being one of the Premier League’s biggest stars.

For almost two decades, the McCann name has been synonymous with one of the most heartbreaking missing persons cases in modern history.

However, on Saturday morning, a far brighter chapter was etched into the family’s story.

Sean McCann, the younger brother of Madeleine McCann, took to the pool at the Commonwealth Games, where he competed in the heats of the men’s 400 metres freestyle.

Madeleine McCann’s Brother Competes at Commonwealth Games

McCann, who is part of Team Scotland at the Games, spoke of his immense pride in being selected earlier this week.

“I’m very excited. It’s my first senior Games, so I’m just looking forward to representing Scotland and doing my absolute best,” McCann told the Loughborough University YouTube channel.

Nearly 20 years have passed since the McCann family’s holiday in Praia da Luz was torn apart by Madeleine’s disappearance, a tragedy that has undoubtedly cast a long shadow over the lives of both Sean and his twin sister, Amelie.

Credit: REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge

The McCann Family Cheer on Sean at the Commonwealth Games

Sport has long been woven into the fabric of the McCann family. Kate and Gerry famously went for a run on their first date, while Sean’s twin sister, Amelie, has forged her own path as a competitive triathlete.

That dedication was rewarded at the Tollcross Swimming Centre in the East End of Glasgow on Saturday when Sean finished a creditable fourth in an eight-man heat three of the men’s 400 metres freestyle to book a spot in Saturday evening’s final.

McCann’s time of 3:52.65 over eight lengths of the pool from lane two was enough to see him advance in eighth place overall across the heats.

He was cheered on by his parents, Gerry and Kate, in the crowd, who beamed with pride as they watched their son in action.

Sean’s journey to the Commonwealth Games has been anything but straightforward. His mother, Kate, has previously revealed that he initially hated swimming when he was first introduced to the sport.

That feeling, however, remained short-lived. He soon found his drive, developing an unwavering commitment to the pool, attending up to nine two-hour training sessions every week, many requiring 4am starts.

In addition to his love of the pool, McCann balances his sporting ambitions with studying for a chemical engineering degree. His progression to the senior Commonwealth Games comes after he represented Scotland at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, but failed to earn a medal.

Sean will hope that a home crowd can propel him to success in tonight’s final, before he turns his attention to the 800m and 1,500m freestyle later this week.

Arsenal are looking at ways to bolster their squad for the coming season, and they are ready to look at the Premier League to do it.

The Gunners have signed Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis so far this summer, while Leandro Trossard has departed for Besiktas as Mikel Arteta looks to freshen things up in an attempt to make history by winning back-to-back league titles for the first time in the club’s history.

A number of first-team players are expected to be allowed to leave the Emirates Stadium as a result, and Arteta has identified one star as a potential reinforcement in attack who could come in as a replacement.

Arsenal Eyeing Ollie Watkins

According to a report by The Sun, Arsenal are considering renewing their interest in Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins this summer.

Watkins, who has been described as ‘elite’, is Villa’s top goalscorer in Premier League history, and was linked with a big-money move to north London in January 2025, but a move never materialised.

But with Gabriel Jesus expected to depart before the new season starts, Arsenal are monitoring the England international’s situation at Villa Park with a view to making a formal move for him later in the window.

Fenerbahce were considering a £30m offer for the 30-year-old, but Villa made it clear they would not accept at that price, and a move went no further. However, it’s understood that they could be more receptive to an offer worth around £40m, which has sparked interest from Arsenal.

Arteta has put Watkins near the top of their shortlist for forward signings, and Villa’s financial situation has led to confidence that they could be able to get a deal done if they push hard. However, as things stand, Villa are determined to keep him, having already lost Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, and Lucas Digne.

Konsa and Watkins Would Be Top Arrivals

Arsenal have been taking a close look at Villa this summer, with Rogers a top target before he joined Chelsea, and a strong interest in defender Ezri Konsa too.

Watkins, much like Konsa, is playing at the top of his game right now, and it could be the last chance for them to make the step up to a title-challenger, which would bring plenty of appeal to the players. But it’s also worth nothing that both players would be great signings for Arsenal, bringing traits and quality they don’t already have.

Villa will fight hard to keep him, and Arsenal have other targets they are prioritising for the position, but Watkins’ situation is one to keep a close eye on as the window begins to fire up.