Haaland's Historic Popularity Surge During World Cup

Norwegian star Erling Haaland has seen an extraordinary surge in his global popularity during the 2026 World Cup, gaining around 30 million new followers on his official Instagram account from the start to the end of the tournament, marking one of the largest digital leaps ever witnessed by a football player during a global sporting event.

The number of followers for Manchester City’s striker has risen from around 40 million before the World Cup to 70 million after the tournament concluded, making him the most followed player among Premier League stars, surpassing many major clubs in terms of audience presence on the platform.

Haaland's influence isn't limited to his on-field performances; his cheerful personality and widely circulated videos, along with his scoring prowess for the Norway national team, have turned him into one of the standout stars of the tournament and a major presence on social media.

Specialized reports suggest that this tremendous growth in followers will greatly enhance Erling Haaland's marketing value, with expectations of increased revenues from sponsorship and advertising deals, after he established himself as one of the leading sports figures globally following the 2026 World Cup.