The 2026 FIFA World Cup is making history in more ways than one.
- +FULL LIST: 11 highest-paid players at World Cup
- +The eleven players ranked by their earnings
With 48 teams competing across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament is set to be the largest ever staged.
With 48 teams competing across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament is set to be the largest ever staged.
It will also feature something never seen before on football’s biggest stage: two billionaire players.
According to Forbes on Wednesday, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentine legend Lionel Messi headline the list of the highest-paid players participating in the tournament.
Together, the two icons have accumulated an estimated $440 million in earnings over the past 12 months.
Ronaldo tops the rankings with an astonishing $300 million in total earnings, including $235 million from his playing contract and $65 million from endorsements and business ventures.
The 41-year-old captain of Portugal remains the world’s highest-paid athlete and is estimated to have a net worth of $1.2 billion. Despite a glittering career filled with trophies, the World Cup remains the one major title missing from his collection.
Messi ranks second with $140 million in earnings. The Argentine captain, who guided his country to World Cup glory in 2022, continues to be one of the most marketable athletes in the world.
Forbes estimates his net worth at $1.1 billion, making him the second billionaire footballer at the tournament.
French forward Kylian Mbappé occupies third place with $95 million. The Real Madrid star has already won a World Cup and reached another final, and at 27 years old remains one of football’s biggest global attractions.
Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland follows in fourth place with $80 million. After helping Norway qualify for its first World Cup since 1998, Haaland arrives as one of the sport’s most feared strikers.
Brazil’s Vinicius Jr. rounds out the top five with earnings of $60 million. The Real Madrid winger is expected to play a central role as Brazil seeks its sixth World Cup title.
The remainder of the list includes Mohamed Salah of Egypt ($55 million), Senegal’s Sadio Mané ($54 million), England midfielder Jude Bellingham ($44 million), Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal ($43 million), England captain Harry Kane ($41 million), and Brazilian star Neymar ($38 million).
Collectively, the eleven players earned an estimated $950 million over the past year, highlighting the enormous financial power of football’s global elite.
The list also demonstrates the growing importance of sponsorships and commercial partnerships, with several players earning tens of millions of dollars away from the pitch.
As the world’s attention turns to North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the tournament’s highest-paid stars will not only be competing for football’s most prestigious trophy but also showcasing the immense commercial value of the modern game.
The eleven players ranked by their earnings
