The 9 Footballers Who Gained the Most Instagram Followers During the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Think Football Ideas
- Jul 20
- 8 min read
The 9 Biggest Instagram Winners from the 2026 FIFA World Cup (Ranked)
The FIFA World Cup has always had a unique way of creating football heroes. Some players lift the famous trophy. Others introduce themselves to millions of new supporters with unforgettable performances, spectacular goals, or simply by producing moments that become impossible to forget.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was no different. While Spain lifted the trophy for just the second time in their history, the tournament also became a global stage where reputations grew beyond the football pitch.
Established superstars strengthened already enormous fanbases, emerging talents became household names almost overnight, and one unlikely goalkeeper from Cape Verde produced perhaps the greatest social media rise football has ever witnessed.
In today's game, performances no longer influence only trophies and transfer values. They shape global popularity too. One outstanding tournament can attract millions of new supporters, with Instagram often becoming the first destination for fans wanting to follow their favourite players.
So, which footballers gained the most Instagram followers during the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Some of the names on this list are hardly surprising. Others, however, may leave you stunned.
Here are the top 9 footballers who gained the most Instagram followers during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
9. Endrick (Brazil)
Brazil's disappointing World Cup campaign did little to slow the growing popularity of one of football's brightest young talents. Before the tournament, Endrick already boasted an impressive 18.3 million Instagram followers. But by the time Brazil's campaign came to an end, that figure had climbed to 23.9 million, an increase of approximately 5.6 million followers.
Although the teenage forward featured in few matches, his reputation continued to grow throughout the competition. Every appearance from the bench generated huge interest, with supporters eager to catch another glimpse of the player many believe will eventually become one of Brazil's next global superstars.
Brazil, under Carlo Ancelotti, ultimately suffered a shock last-16 exit against Norway, bringing another frustrating World Cup campaign to an early conclusion. Yet Endrick remained one of the tournament's biggest talking points, proving that influence isn't always measured by minutes played.
His combination of youthful confidence, enormous potential, and worldwide curiosity ensured millions of supporters clicked the follow button long before his international career reaches its peak.
8. Michael Olise (France)
Michael Olise's rise has been one of the most enjoyable stories in European football over the past few years, and the 2026 World Cup only accelerated that momentum.
The French winger, who played predominantly as a No. 10 in Didier Deschamps side, gained approximately 5.7 million Instagram followers during the tournament as audiences across the globe became increasingly captivated by his elegant style of play.
France once again progressed deep into the competition, with Olise providing flashes of creativity, intelligence and technical brilliance whenever called upon. While his game has never relied on explosive theatrics, his composure in possession and ability to unlock stubborn defences continued to earn widespread admiration.
Supporters have also been drawn to his understated personality. Unlike many modern stars, Olise rarely courts attention away from football, allowing his performances to do the talking.
That quiet confidence has only made him even more appealing to fans discovering him for the first time. By the end of the tournament, millions more had joined an already rapidly growing fanbase.
7. Gilberto Mora (Mexico)
Every World Cup produces at least one breakout youngster. In 2026, few names generated as much excitement as Gilberto Mora. The Mexican teenager saw his Instagram following explode from around 1.1 million before the tournament to 7.7 million afterwards, representing a remarkable increase of 6.6 million followers.
For many supporters outside North America, the World Cup provided their first proper introduction to Mora. His confidence on the ball, maturity beyond his years, and fearless performances quickly turned him into one of the tournament's biggest revelations. Playing on home soil, especially at the Estadio Azteca, undoubtedly amplified the attention.
With Mexico co-hosting the competition, local supporters embraced one of their brightest young prospects as international audiences became equally fascinated by a player many now view as the future face of Mexican football. Few emerging stars left the tournament with greater momentum.
6. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
There was very little left for Lionel Messi to prove. After finally lifting the World Cup in Qatar four years earlier, everything that followed felt like a bonus. Yet, football supporters couldn't resist following one final chapter of one of the greatest careers the sport has ever witnessed.
Messi's Instagram following increased from approximately 506.5 million to 514 million, adding another 7.5 million followers despite already being one of the most followed athletes on the planet. Argentina once again reached the World Cup Final, falling agonisingly short of successfully defending their crown against eventual champions Spain.
Although the fairytale ending wasn't repeated, Messi once again demonstrated the intelligence, vision and leadership that have defined his career for almost two decades. His final World Cup appearance became an emotional occasion not just for Argentina, but for many football supporters around the world.
Millions followed not simply because of what Messi achieved in 2026, but because they wanted to witness history before one of the game's greatest ever players finally walked away from football's biggest stage.
5. Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Some footballers announce themselves to the world. Lamine Yamal arrived at the World Cup already recognised as one of football's brightest stars, but the Barca forward left it as one of the sport's biggest global attractions.
The Spanish sensation grew his Instagram following from roughly 43.3 million to 54.3 million, adding an extraordinary 11 million new followers during Spain's triumphant campaign.
Still only a teenager, Yamal played with confidence throughout the tournament. His fearless dribbling, creativity, composure in possession and ability to produce decisive moments helped inspire Spain to their second World Cup triumph.
It also confirmed what many supporters had already suspected — football's next global superstar had truly arrived.
Winning the World Cup at such a young age only strengthened that reputation. By the time Spain lifted the trophy, millions of supporters had already decided they wanted to follow every step of what promises to be an extraordinary career.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Cristiano Ronaldo has spent more than two decades rewriting football history. By the time the 2026 World Cup arrived, there were few records left for the Portuguese icon to chase.
Yet, at 41 years old, millions still tuned in to watch one final appearance from arguably the greatest goalscorer the game has ever produced. Despite already possessing one of the largest audiences on social media, Ronaldo's Instagram following grew from approximately 665.6 million to 677 million, adding another 11.4 million followers during the tournament.
Portugal entered the competition believing they could finally end their long wait for a World Cup triumph. However, their campaign came to an end in the Round of 16 after a heartbreaking injury-time defeat to neighbours Spain. Although the World Cup remained the one major honour missing from Ronaldo's extraordinary collection, it did little to diminish his legacy.
His final appearance represented the end of an impressive international journey spanning six World Cups, countless unforgettable moments, and a generation of supporters who grew up watching one of football's greatest competitors.
3. Jude Bellingham (England)
Few players enhanced their global reputation more than Jude Bellingham. Already regarded as one of the world's finest midfielders, the England star produced another outstanding tournament, leading his country to the semi-finals with seven goals while once again demonstrating maturity well beyond his years.
His Instagram following climbed from around 41.3 million to 53.3 million, representing an increase of 12 million followers. Bellingham wasn't simply England's best player. He became one of the faces of the tournament.
His leadership, relentless energy, decisive goals and ability to influence games from midfield captured the imagination of supporters around the world. At the same time, the Real Madrid star's passionate celebrations only strengthened his connection with England fans.
Although England ultimately fell short of ending their long wait for World Cup glory, Bellingham left North America looking every inch the future leader of both club and country.
2. Erling Haaland (Norway)
Erling Haaland didn't just score goals. He won people over. The Norwegian striker recorded the largest increase in total followers during the tournament, with his Instagram audience soaring by an astonishing 32.1 million, rising from approximately 40.6 million to 72.7 million.
Norway's surprise run to the quarter-finals became one of the stories of the World Cup, and Haaland was right at the heart of it. Of course, the goals played a huge part. But so did his personality.
Supporters couldn't get enough of the Manchester City striker throughout the tournament. Whether leading Norway's now-famous 'Viking Row' celebrations, wearing a traditional Viking helmet, beating a drum in front of jubilant supporters, or embracing American culture by buying cowboy boots, novelty souvenirs and even a stuffed raccoon, Haaland seemed to enjoy every minute of the experience.
The World Cup showed another side to one of football's most feared strikers. Not just a goalscoring machine, but a footballer fans genuinely enjoyed following.
1. Vozinha (Cape Verde)
Nobody came close to Vozinha's story. While Erling Haaland gained the most followers overall, no player experienced a rise quite as extraordinary as Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.
Before the World Cup began, he had around 30,000 Instagram followers. By the end of the tournament? That figure had exploded to approximately 29.4 million - an increase of almost 29.37 million followers, representing an astonishing 97,900% growth. Quite simply, one of the biggest social media rises football has ever seen. Cape Verde became everyone's second team.
The tournament debutants defied expectations by remaining unbeaten in the group stage, including an unforgettable draw against eventual champions Spain, before eventually bowing out after a spirited knockout defeat against Argentina.
At the heart of everything stood Vozinha. His spectacular saves, calm authority and inspirational leadership earned him a place in many supporters' Team of the Tournament, while his exceptional journey from relative obscurity to worldwide recognition perfectly captured everything people love about the World Cup.
Top 9 Footballers Who Gained the Most Instagram Followers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup (Table)
Rank | Player | Country | Before World Cup | After World Cup | Followers Gained | Percentage Increase |
1 | Vozinha | Cape Verde | 30k | 29.4m | +29.37m | +97,900% |
2 | Erling Haaland | Norway | 40.6m | 72.7m | +32.1m | +79% |
3 | Jude Bellingham | England | 41.3m | 53.3m | +12.0m | +29% |
4 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 665.6m | 677.0m | +11.4m | +1.7% |
5 | Lamine Yamal | Spain | 43.3m | 54.3m | +11.0m | +25% |
6 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 506.5m | 514.0m | +7.5m | +1.5% |
7 | Gilberto Mora | Mexico | 1.1m | 7.7m | +6.6m | +600% |
8 | Michael Olise | France | 5.2m | 10.9 | +5.7m | +109.6% |
9 | Endrick | Brazil | 18.3m | 23.9m | +5.6m | +31% |
Note: Haaland recorded the biggest increase in total followers, while Vozinha produced by far the largest percentage growth, making his rise arguably the most remarkable story of the tournament.
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