World Cup 2026 Instagram buzz led by Argentina, Messi and Ronaldo

Kolsquare, a French influencer‑marketing platform operating in Colombia, analysed Instagram activity during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The study ranked national fan communities, with Argentina topping the list, followed by Portugal, Brazil, France, England, Spain, Norway, Mexico, Colombia and Morocco.

The 20 players who generated the most mentions were led by Lionel Messi (12.5 million mentions) and Cristiano Ronaldo (8.65 million). They were followed by Kylian Mbappé, Neymar Jr., Vozinha, Vinícius Júnior, Erling Haaland, Guillermo Ochoa, Lamine Yamal and Michael Olise. Messi and Ronaldo also recorded the highest interaction volumes, with 160 million and 136 million engagements respectively.

According to Paola Ortega, Kolsquare’s Latin‑America representative, “the World Cup is no longer just an event lived on the pitch; social media now extends the championship, turning every play into a real‑time global conversation.” The analysis highlights how digital reach now complements on‑field performance, offering brands new ways to connect with millions of fans worldwide.