The 10 richest players at the 2026 World Cup
Ronaldo and Messi tower over the field, with Brazil’s Neymar a distant third.
Here is the at-a-glance ranking, with figures converted to US dollars and shown as estimate ranges.
| Rank & player | Nation | Est. net worth (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | ~$1.3–1.4 billion |
| 2. Lionel Messi | Argentina | ~$850 million–1.1 billion |
| 3. Neymar | Brazil | ~$400–450 million |
| 4. Kylian Mbappé | France | ~$180–250 million |
| 5. Harry Kane | England | ~$110–150 million |
| 6. Mohamed Salah | Egypt | ~$110–140 million |
| 7. Son Heung-min | South Korea | ~$75–100 million |
| 8. Riyad Mahrez | Algeria | ~$63–85 million |
| 9. Erling Haaland | Norway | ~$60–80 million |
| 10. James Rodríguez | Colombia | ~$59–80 million |
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Est: ~$1.3–1.4 billion
Ronaldo is the only player at the tournament worth more than a billion pounds, per The Sun’s rich list. Bloomberg put his net worth at $1.4 billion after his Al-Nassr deal.
He is also the highest earner at the World Cup, taking home an estimated $295 million over the past 12 months. His club Riyadh salary makes up the bulk, topped up by Nike, Herbalife and Binance.
At 41, this is his record sixth and almost certainly final World Cup. A title is the one major prize missing from his career.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo Playing at the FIFA World Cup 2026? Here’s When and Where to Watch the Legend
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Est: ~$850 million–1.1 billion
Messi recently joined Ronaldo in the billionaires’ club, with Bloomberg reporting his fortune has exceeded $1 billion. The Sun’s net worth estimate is slightly lower at £742 million.
His move to Miami with Inter Miami sharply boosted his wealth, and he remains the sport’s top pitchman at roughly $70 million a year off the field. Sponsors include Michelob Ultra, Stanley and Lowe’s.
Now 38, Messi is the first man to play six World Cups and is expected to retire from international duty after the tournament.
Lionel Messi’s World Cup Record & Stats: How Is He Performing in 2026?
Neymar (Brazil)
Est: ~$400–450 million
Neymar is comfortably the third-richest player here, valued at £334 million by The Sun.
His big-money spell at Saudi club Al-Hilal, a lifetime Nike deal and wide business investments built the fortune.
Selection was no certainty: Carlo Ancelotti named the 34-year-old in Brazil’s final 26 despite recent injury struggles.
Is Neymar Playing at the FIFA World Cup 2026? When and Where to Watch the Brazilian Star
Kylian Mbappé (France)
Est: ~$180–250 million
Mbappé is the wealthiest of the new generation, with The Sun valuing him at £186 million.
He earned an estimated $100 million over the past year, the third-highest at the tournament.
The Madrid forward scored in the 2018 final and netted a hat-trick in the 2022 final. Off the pitch he backs Oakley, Hublot and Fairmont Hotels.
Is Mbappé Playing at the 2026 World Cup? Here’s When to Watch the French Star
Harry Kane (England)
Est: ~$110–150 million
Kane is the richest Englishman at the World Cup, worth £110 million according to The Sun.
England’s record goalscorer earned around $42 million last year after another prolific campaign at Munich club Bayern, where he finished as the Bundesliga’s top scorer for a third straight season.
His endorsement roster spans Skechers, Fanatics, Google Gemini and Allianz. A World Cup remains the one trophy he is chasing.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Est: ~$110–140 million
Salah is the highest-placed Arab and African star on the list, valued at £104 million by The Sun. The Liverpool forward is hugely popular across the Middle East and North Africa.
He is leaving Anfield at the end of the season after his contract, reportedly worth around £400,000 a week, with Sportico noting the Saudi Pro League and MLS as landing spots. His deals with Adidas and Pepsi add to the pile.
Is Mohamed Salah at the 2026 World Cup? When and Where to Watch the Egypt Star
Son Heung-min (South Korea)
Est: ~$75–100 million
Son is Asia’s wealthiest representative at the tournament, worth £74 million per The Sun. He left Tottenham in 2025 for Los Angeles side LAFC after finally winning a Europa League title.
As the face of Asian football, the 33-year-old commands a deep portfolio of brand deals that will outlast his playing days.
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)
Est: ~$63–85 million
Mahrez is one of three Saudi-based players in the top 10, valued at £63 million by The Sun. His move to Jeddah club Al-Ahli made him one of the best-paid players here at $53 million last year.
The former Manchester City winger has said this will be his last World Cup.
Erling Haaland (Norway)
Est: ~$60–80 million
Haaland is the youngest big earner in the top 10, valued at £59 million by The Sun. He earned around $80 million last year as the Premier League’s highest-paid player at Manchester City.
The striker fired Norway to its first World Cup in 28 years, scoring 16 goals in eight qualifiers.
Is Erling Haaland at the 2026 World Cup? How to Watch the Norway Star’s Fixtures
James Rodríguez (Colombia)
Est: ~$59–80 million
James rounds out the top 10, also valued at £59 million by The Sun. The 2014 Golden Boot winner most recently played in MLS for Minnesota United, which he left in May to prepare for the World Cup, after spells at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Everton.
At 34, he remains Colombia’s creative talisman and a marketing draw across Latin America.
Net worth vs annual earnings
Total net worth and single-season earnings produce different rankings, so it helps to know which one you are reading.
Net worth is lifetime accumulated wealth; annual earnings cover just the past 12 months.
2026 World Cup Player’s Salaries: Highest Earners Playing at This Year’s Tournament, Ranked
Ronaldo and Messi lead both lists, but younger stars climb fast on the earnings table.
Vinícius Jr and Mané appear on the earnings list but not the net worth top 10, because they are still building lifetime wealth.
The Saudi Pro League now accounts for several of the biggest pay packets at the tournament.
Saudi Pro League Stars at the 2026 World Cup: Who’s Playing and Where to Watch
The richest players who didn’t make it
Two of football’s wealthiest names are missing because their teams are not at the World Cup. Wealth does not buy qualification.
Robert Lewandowski stays home after Poland failed to qualify for the 48-team tournament. The Barcelona striker would have ranked among the richest players on show.
Faiq Bolkiah, widely reported as the world’s richest footballer through his Brunei royal family, is also absent because Brunei did not qualify. Inherited fortune, rather than football earnings, is the source of his wealth.
Flying to the 2026 World Cup
The tournament is spread across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, so fans should plan flights and stays around their team’s match locations. The hosts include some of North America’s busiest hubs.
Popular entry points for international fans include:
- United States: flights to Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Dallas and Atlanta
- Canada: Toronto and Vancouver
- Mexico: flights to Mexico City, plus Guadalajara and Monterrey
Match-day cities fill up fast, so book early and consider staying outside the centre. Compare hotels in Los Angeles, hotels in Miami and hotels in New York well ahead of kick-off.
You can track live flight status and schedules to any host city on the Wego flight tracker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the richest player at the 2026 World Cup?
Cristiano Ronaldo, with an estimated net worth of around $1.3–1.4 billion. He is the only player at the tournament reported to have passed the billion mark on a single source’s count, with Bloomberg putting him at $1.4 billion.
Are there any billionaire footballers at the World Cup?
Yes, two. Bloomberg reports both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have net worths above $1 billion, making them the only billionaire players at the 2026 tournament.
Why do net worth figures differ between sources?
Footballers’ net worth is an estimate, not an audited figure, so outlets reach different numbers depending on how they value salaries, endorsements and private investments. That is why this list shows ranges rather than single figures.
Is the world’s richest footballer playing at the World Cup?
No. Faiq Bolkiah, a member of Brunei’s royal family and widely cited as football’s wealthiest player, is not at the tournament because Brunei did not qualify. His fortune comes from inherited royal wealth, not football.
Sources
- GiveMeSport — The 10 Wealthiest Footballers at the 2026 World Cup Ranked by Net Worth
- The Sun — World Cup 2026 Rich List: Cristiano Ronaldo Net Worth
- Sportico — The Highest-Paid Players at the 2026 World Cup
- Bloomberg — Cristiano Ronaldo Is First Football Billionaire
- Bloomberg — Messi Joins Ronaldo in Billionaire Football Ranks
- ESPN — Neymar Named to Brazil’s Final World Cup Squad
- ESPN — Lionel Messi Becomes First Man to Play Six World Cups
- ESPN — 2026 World Cup: Which 48 Teams Qualified
- Reuters — Mahrez Says 2026 World Cup Will Be His Last
- Bundesliga — Harry Kane Wins Top Scorer Award for Third Straight Season
- MLSSoccer — James Rodríguez to Depart Minnesota United for World Cup Prep
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
