{"id":22430,"date":"2026-07-17T22:37:03","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T22:37:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scannn.com\/a-record-breaking-moment-across-meta\/"},"modified":"2026-07-17T22:37:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T22:37:03","slug":"a-record-breaking-moment-across-meta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scannn.com\/lv\/a-record-breaking-moment-across-meta\/","title":{"rendered":"A Record-Breaking Moment Across Meta"},"content":{"rendered":"


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This year\u2019s tournament wasn\u2019t just the biggest sporting event on the planet \u2014 it\u2019s become one of the biggest moments in Meta\u2019s history. From record-shattering message volumes on WhatsApp to historic reach on Instagram, the tournament is lighting up every corner of our family of apps in ways we\u2019ve never seen before.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how conversation, engagement and connection around football has shown up across Meta over the course of the tournament.<\/span><\/p>\n

WhatsApp: A New All-Time Record<\/span><\/h2>\n

During the Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt, WhatsApp hit over <\/span>29 million messages per second<\/b> \u2014 a new all-time record for the platform. That beats the <\/span>previous record<\/span><\/a> that was set during the 2022 Final.<\/span><\/p>\n

Instagram: +213.6 Million New Followers for Players<\/span><\/h2>\n

Beyond reach, the tournament drove massive audience growth for participating players. Over the first month of the tournament window (June 11 \u2013 July 11), final-squad players collectively added <\/span>+213.6 million activated followers<\/b> \u2014 a <\/span>6.6% increase<\/b> \u2014 with combined followings surging from <\/span>3.26 billion to 3.47 billion<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Breakout Story: Vozinha\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Every four years, the tournament produces an unexpected hero. On Instagram, that was <\/span>Vozinha<\/b>, the Cape Verde goalkeeper, who went from <\/span>37,000 followers to 28.8 million<\/b> \u2014 an almost incomprehensible <\/span>+77,000% increase<\/b>. His electrifying performances captivated audiences far beyond his small island nation and turned him into one of the most-followed athletes on the platform virtually overnight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vozinha\u2019s rise helped propel <\/span>Cape Verde<\/b> to the top of the country leaderboard with <\/span>+32.1 million net followers<\/b> across its squad \u2014 a <\/span>+2,000% team-level increase<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Chart<\/a><\/p>\n

Erling Haaland<\/b> led established players with <\/span>+23 million new followers<\/b>, nearly doubling his pre-tournament base as Norway captured global attention. Meanwhile, <\/span>Cristiano Ronaldo<\/b> \u2014 already the most-followed person on Instagram \u2014 still added another 10 million to reach a record <\/span>676 million<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Top 5 Most Popular Players, According to Instagram\u2019s Your Algorithm Feature\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

In the U.S., a handful of notable names drove the most popularity according to Instagram\u2019s <\/span>Your Algorithm feature<\/span><\/a>, which lets you control the interests you see in content on your home feed, Reels and Explore. The top 5 players that have appeared in the algorithms of U.S. users throughout the World Cup include<\/span>*<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Lionel Messi<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Cristiano Ronaldo<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Erling Haaland<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Kylian Mbapp\u00e9<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Jude Bellingham<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"Chart<\/a><\/p>\n

    Mexico<\/b> stood out with a <\/span>+78% surge<\/b> driven by breakout stars like Gilberto Mora (+5.6M) and Julian Qui\u00f1ones (+2.6M). <\/span>Japan<\/b> saw a <\/span>+42% increase<\/b> fueled by rising talents like Keito Nakamura (+1.3M).<\/span><\/p>\n

    Rising Stars to Watch<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Several young players used the global stage to build significant Instagram audiences:<\/span><\/p>\n