The 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament is turning out to be one of the most popular so far, from putting a near end to the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate to the sensation that is the Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, and of all the goal-scoring machines, offset by blocking machines.
Read about some of the most talked-about footballers in the world, who, thanks to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the whole world is tuned in and cannot stop talking about them. From their skills, looks, and personalities, these are the top 10 most popular footballers in 2026.
1. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi has had an impressive football record long before the 2026 World Cup. In fact, as the captain of the Argentine team, Lionel Messi has maintained a record-breaking streak, not only in his goals and performances but also in his overall presence on the pitch. So far, Lionel Messi holds the All-Time World Cup Scoring Record and the most World Cup matches played by an individual.
Adding to a consistent goal-scoring record, with a hat trick as the peak of his performance. In fact, he broke Cristiano Ronaldo’s record as the oldest player to score a hat trick at a World Cup.
Lionel Messi is in great standing for the 2026 Golden Boot. With all the spectacle and the popular GOAT debate, it’s no surprise that Lionel Messi is on the lips of fans throughout the duration of the 2026 World Cup.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
Although Portugal exited the 2026 World Cup a little earlier than fans anticipated, the disappointment was even greater when world-renowned footballer Cristiano Ronaldo ended his career without adding the greatest trophy in football to his vast collection. Regardless, Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of the most talked-about footballers in the tournament, with fans divided on who their greatest of all time is.
Read Also: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Net Worth Hits $1.4 Billion as He Tops Forbes Highest-Paid Athletes 2026
3. Kylian Mbappé
The French team captain, Kylian Mbappé, has one of the most impressive World Cup statistics and is in the running for the 2026 Golden Boot, with 8 goals and 3 assists in 7 matches, tying with the legendary Lionel Messi, who also has 8 goals and 2 assists in 6 matches.
After being knocked down by Spain, France may no longer be in the race for the title, but is still in the running for third place against England. The English team failed to overcome Argentina in a 2-1 loss on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
4. Erling Haaland
For football fans who weren’t well-versed in football and sports entertainment until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Erling Haaland appeared to be quite the anomaly, with a personality that is quiet, playful, chaotic, and dominant, with the goal-scoring ability to back it up. Fans welcomed the idea of Haaland’s “Snapchat,” where they get to listen in on the six-foot Viking’s innermost thoughts, such as how Lionel Messi was interfering with his dream of taking home the 2026 Golden Boot.
5. Vozinha (Josimar José Évora Dias)
Although Argentina managed to knock Cape Verde out of the race for the World Cup, Vozinha gained a whole new level of respect. The 50-year-old goalkeeper made things extremely difficult for the defending champions after Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha made about 7 savesagainst Argentina during their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match. After this face-off, Vozinha gained over 40 million new Instagram followers, and according to reports, tourism to Cape Verde has also increased substantially since then.
6. Ousmane Dembélé
Although Dembélé may not be leading the race for the 2026 Golden Boot, his goal-scoring talent is undeniable. He is among the select few to have scored a hat trick in the 2026 World Cup and has consistently impressed with 5 goals and 2 assists over 7 matches. Despite France being eliminated by Spain on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, the efforts of Mbappé, Dembélé, and Olise left French fans with a performance to remember.
7. Jude Bellingham
Midfielder for La Liga club Real Madrid and the England national team, Jude Bellingham has continued to impress throughout the tournament. While Erling Haaland has had the spotlight shining a little brighter on him this World Cup season, fans were quick to pick up on the budding bromance between Bellingham and Haaland, making the duo one of football’s most popular besties of the 2026 tournament, even though the pair are on opposing sides and even faced off during the competition. Fans appreciated the banter and the bond the pair showed during and after Norway faced off with England.
Mariam Emily Adama is a copywriter, SEO strategist, and digital marketer passionate about using words to inform, inspire, and influence. With over seven years of experience writing for global brands and managing digital campaigns, she brings a data-driven yet creative approach to content creation. When she’s not writing or analyzing trends, Mariam enjoys exploring new cultures, reading, and documenting stories that celebrate African excellence.