Two new billionaires headline a starting XI that collectively earned an estimated $950 million over the 12 months leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This year’s tournament will be marked by a series of firsts. For the first time in its 96-year history, the FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams. It will also be the first edition hosted by three countries, the United States, Canada and Mexico, and staged across a record 16 cities.

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Another milestone will come on the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo, who will captain Portugal at 41, and Lionel Messi, leading defending champions Argentina at 38, will become the first billionaire players to compete at a World Cup.

Attending the tournament may also become a milestone of its own. With ticket prices reaching unprecedented levels, the World Cup is increasingly becoming a luxury experience. FIFA recently listed a ticket for the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for $32,970, three times the price offered in April and more than 20 times the price of an equivalent ticket for the 2022 final in Qatar. Resale prices have climbed even higher, with FIFA’s own platform at one point listing four final tickets at nearly $2.3 million each.

Here are the 11 highest-paid players competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The World’s Highest-Paid World Cup Players

1. Cristiano Ronaldo — $300 Million

Nationality: Portugal | Age: 41 | On-field: $235 million | Off-field: $65 million

Ronaldo remains football’s highest-paid player and the world’s highest-paid athlete across all sports. His estimated $300 million in earnings over the past year matches Floyd Mayweather Jr. for the largest annual income Forbes has ever recorded for an athlete, excluding inflation.

Forbes estimates Ronaldo’s net worth at $1.2 billion, making him one of only a handful of active billionaire athletes. He will compete in a record sixth World Cup while still chasing the only major title missing from his career. Confidence is also high after helping Al-Nassr win the Saudi Pro League last month, his first league title since joining the club in 2023.

2. Lionel Messi — $140 Million

Nationality: Argentina | Age: 38 | On-field: $70 million | Off-field: $70 million

Like Ronaldo, Messi has joined Forbes’ billionaire ranks, with an estimated net worth of $1.1 billion. He is also preparing for a record sixth World Cup as Argentina attempts to defend the title it won in 2022.

Individual history is also within reach. Four goals would see Messi overtake Miroslav Klose to become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.

Away from the pitch, his commercial appeal remains as strong as ever. Messi appears in new campaigns for Adidas alongside Bad Bunny and Timothée Chalamet, as well as for Michelob Ultra with Christian Pulisic and Billy Bob Thornton. Lowe’s has also launched a 10-foot inflatable Messi for $99.

3. Kylian Mbappé — $95 Million

Nationality: France | Age: 27 | On-field: $70 million | Off-field: $25 million

Mbappé has played in three fewer World Cups than Messi but trails him by just one goal on the tournament’s all-time scoring list. That finishing ability also helped him become Real Madrid’s top scorer in the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League campaign.

Having won the World Cup with France at 19 before reaching another final four years later, Mbappé remains one of football’s most marketable stars. Ahead of this summer’s tournament, he signed a partnership with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and joined health insurer Alan as both an ambassador and investor.

4. Erling Haaland — $80 Million

Nationality: Norway | Age: 25 | On-field: $60 million | Off-field: $20 million

Haaland signed a long-term contract extension with Manchester City last year, but speculation about his future has continued. Most recently, renewable energy entrepreneur Enrique Riquelme said he would try to sign the striker if elected Real Madrid president, prompting a legal response from City.

Attention now turns to the World Cup, where Norway will make its first appearance since 1998, two years before Haaland was born. Despite the expectations, he appears comfortable with the spotlight. As he recently told GQ, “It’s a lot of pressure on me, but I like the pressure.”

5. Vinicius Jr. — $60 Million

Nationality: Brazil | Age: 25 | On-field: $40 million | Off-field: $20 million

Vinicius has taken a realistic view of Brazil’s chances. Speaking to creator Ibai Llanos in February, he said Argentina, Portugal, Spain and France were ahead of Brazil, a view he repeated in March by saying the five-time champions should not be considered tournament favourites.

Brazil nevertheless enters the World Cup aiming to end a 24-year wait for another title. Off the field, Vinicius could soon add another commercial partnership after fans spotted what appeared to be a Fortnite skin inspired by the Real Madrid forward in a recent Nike advertisement, although no collaboration has been officially announced.

6. Mohamed Salah — $55 Million

Nationality: Egypt | Age: 33 | On-field: $35 million | Off-field: $20 million

After nine seasons, 257 goals and two Premier League titles, Salah is set to leave Liverpool. In March, he agreed to terminate his contract a year early, paving the way for a free transfer this summer.

The “Egyptian King” will now lead Egypt into its fourth World Cup appearance. Although the Pharaohs have won a record seven Africa Cup of Nations titles, they have never claimed a victory at the World Cup. That could change in Group G, where Egypt will face Belgium, Iran and New Zealand.

7. Sadio Mané — $54 Million

Nationality: Senegal | Age: 34 | On-field: $50 million | Off-field: $4 million

Mané has lifted two major trophies this year, although only one remains official. Before winning the Saudi Pro League alongside Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, he helped Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations in January. The title was later revoked after players walked off during the final in protest over a disputed penalty awarded to Morocco.

Returning to the World Cup after missing the 2022 tournament through injury, Mané could help Senegal reach the quarterfinals for the first time in 24 years. A strong campaign would also come at an important time as his Al-Nassr contract approaches its expiration.

8. Jude Bellingham — $44 Million

Nationality: England | Age: 22 | On-field: $29 million | Off-field: $15 million

Bellingham is one of three Real Madrid players featured in this ranking, alongside Mbappé and Vinicius. Although only 22, he played a key role for England at the 2022 World Cup, becoming the country’s second-youngest scorer in tournament history and adding an assist in the round of 16.

That performance helped secure a transfer worth more than $100 million from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid. Even so, England manager Thomas Tuchel said this week that Bellingham will have to compete for playing time in a squad featuring “14 or 15 potential starters.”

9. Lamine Yamal — $43 Million

Nationality: Spain | Age: 18 | On-field: $33 million | Off-field: $10 million

Yamal missed the closing stages of Barcelona’s La Liga title-winning season with a hamstring injury but has since returned to training with Spain. Barcelona has reportedly placed restrictions on his involvement during the World Cup.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Yamal could be limited to 15 minutes as a substitute in Spain’s opening match against Cape Verde and up to 60 minutes against Saudi Arabia. Even with those limitations, the teenager remains one of the tournament’s biggest commercial stars, appearing in World Cup campaigns for Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Powerade and Visa after signing with American Eagle in January.

10. Harry Kane — $41 Million

Nationality: England | Age: 32 | On-field: $29 million | Off-field: $12 million

Kane is the only Bundesliga player in this ranking, representing Bayern Munich. He also remains England’s all-time leading scorer, with 79 goals in 113 international appearances.

England’s captain will be looking to build on the team’s runner-up finish at UEFA Euro 2024, where he shared the Golden Boot as the tournament’s leading scorer. His form has already carried into this year after scoring in England’s World Cup warm-up victory over New Zealand, taking his 2026 tally to 32 goals for club and country, 14 more than any other player in the world, according to ESPN.

11. Neymar — $38 Million

Nationality: Brazil | Age: 34 | On-field: $10 million | Off-field: $28 million

Neymar continues to recover from a calf injury that ruled him out of Brazil’s World Cup warm-up matches. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has said he will need to compete with Vinicius Jr. and Raphinha for playing time once he returns to full fitness.

Brazil has nevertheless handed Neymar the iconic No. 10 shirt for this summer’s tournament, making him the first Brazilian to wear the number at four World Cups. Legends including Pelé, Zico, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaká have previously worn the jersey.

Methodology

Forbes’ ranking measures earnings over the 12 months leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. All figures are converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates as of May and rounded to the nearest $1 million.

On-field earnings include salaries, bonuses and, where applicable, club-based image rights agreements during the 2025–26 season. Because Lionel Messi’s MLS contract follows a calendar-year schedule, his on-field estimate reflects the previous 12 months.

Off-field earnings include cash income from endorsements, licensing, appearances, memorabilia and returns from businesses in which the athlete holds a significant stake. For some players, including Messi and Ronaldo, subsidies from club or league sponsors are included in the on-field estimate.

Estimates are based on news reports, public databases such as Capology.com and information provided by industry sources, many of whom requested anonymity. Forbes also acknowledges soccer correspondent Tancredi Palmeri, DODICI Sports Management’s Mariano Trasande and Xeric Sports Management’s Shea Richard Soma.

Investment income, including interest and dividends, is excluded, while proceeds from the sale of equity stakes are included. Taxes, agents’ fees and transfer fees are not reflected in the estimates.