Three weeks into the World Cup, the real action is beginning.

The tournament’s new format this year, with an expanded 48-team field in group play, meant that 32 countries advanced to the knockout stage this week—double the number from the previous ten editions of the event. But the stakes have ratcheted up, with mighty Germany and the Netherlands now eliminated from contention.

Underdogs Paraguay and Morocco, meanwhile, are among the nations that have punched their tickets to the round of 16, still eyeing a spot in the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Of course, for the purposes of this World Cup, that venue has been rebranded as New York New Jersey Stadium—more on that later.)

The numbers game doesn’t stop there. Here are 22 figures that help tell the story of the 2026 World Cup so far—and of the 25 games to come.

The number of billionaires playing at this World Cup.

Forbes recently estimated the net worth of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo at $1.2 billion, and of Argentina’s Lionel Messi at $1.1 billion. Only two other athletes—Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and golfer Tiger Woods—have joined the Forbes list of the world’s billionaires while still active in their sports. With an estimated $300 million in total earnings over the past 12 months (before taxes and agent fees), the 41-year-old Ronaldo also ranks as both the highest-paid player at the World Cup and the world’s highest-paid athlete.

The tax imposed on nonresidents for income earned in Philadelphia.

Participants at this World Cup will have to navigate a thicket of complicated tax issues at the local, state and federal levels, with matches being held in 16 cities across three countries (the United States, Mexico and Canada). For players, coaches and even referees, income can be tied to the place where the work is performed, meaning they could be subject to a 3.43% tax in Philadelphia, which will host a round-of-16 game on Saturday. Kansas City, Missouri, which will host a round-of-32 game on Friday and a quarterfinal next week, similarly applies a 1% tax to nonresidents’ income earned there.

The number of goals scored by the tournament’s leaders so far.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappé are tied for the lead as they seek the World Cup’s Golden Boot—given to the top scorer—followed by Norway’s Erling Haaland with five goals. Mbappé is now the favorite to claim the honor at both DraftKings (-110 odds) and FanDuel ( 100).

The number of World Cups in which Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have played.

The two superstars, so often compared, both made their debuts at the 2006 tournament in Germany and now jointly hold the record for World Cup appearances. (Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa has also been selected for six World Cup teams, but he didn’t make it into a game in 2006 or 2010.) Messi has played in 29 World Cup matches across his career, four more than Ronaldo, but only Ronaldo has had a goal in each of the six tournaments—Messi was held scoreless in 2010.

The number of consecutive games the U.S. has lost against European opponents.

The Americans, whose losing streak dates to 2022 and includes friendlies in addition to World Cup games, have an opportunity to end the slide on Wednesday against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Even if they prevail, however, they could face Belgium in the round of 16, followed by a potential quarterfinal matchup with Spain or Portugal.

The number of consecutive World Cup games in which the Netherlands is unbeaten in regular or extra time.

Since falling in the 2010 final, the Dutch have not lost outside of........

© Forbes