Seven of the ten fastest-growing UK Instagram accounts in July 2026 had direct ties to the FIFA World Cup, while Manchester City’s growth coincided with a club-record signing agreed during the tournament. Soccer players Michael Olise and Enzo Fernández posted the two biggest gains of the month, while Emiliano Martínez set a World Cup final saves record despite Argentina’s defeat. Actors Tom Holland and entrepreneur Simon Squibb were the exceptions, riding a blockbuster film run and a steady entrepreneurship following instead.
Here are the fastest-growing UK Instagram accounts from last month:
Became one of France’s breakout stars at the World Cup, helping Les Bleus reach the semi-finals before a fourth-place finish and fueling transfer speculation about his future.
The Chelsea midfielder was sent off in the World Cup final loss to Spain, capping a tournament that included a decisive goal against Egypt and an equalizer against England.
The Argentina goalkeeper set a World Cup final record with 11 saves against Spain, playing through a fractured finger, though the Golden Glove went to Spain’s Unai Simón.
The former England captain and his family were fixtures at England’s World Cup matches, and he was presented with a legacy cap by Harry Kane before the semi-final.
The HelpBnk founder and entrepreneur built his following the same way he always has, posting street-style videos helping strangers pursue business ideas.
The World Cup Takeover
Including Manchester City’s mid-tournament signing, eight of this month’s ten accounts connect directly to the 2026 World Cup, which ran through North America and ended July 19:
Michael Olise, Enzo Fernández, Emi Martínez: tournament breakout performers
Harry Kane, England, Declan Rice: England’s run to a third-place finish
David Beckham: courtside presence throughout the tournament
Manchester City: a club-record signing agreed mid-tournament
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the final, and England beat France 6-4 to take third.
Creators Building Without a Moment
Nine of this month’s ten accounts are tagged event-driven or institutional: elite athletes, a national team, a football club, and a movie star, all riding a tournament or release-cycle spike that would have shown up on the chart with or without them individually. Simon Squibb is the one exception. He had no tournament run, no red carpet, no single post that popped off, just a HelpBnk founder posting the same street-style, help-a-stranger-start-a-business content he posts every month.
Dragomir is a Serbian freelance blog writer and translator. He is passionate about covering insightful stories and exploring topics such as influencer marketing, the creator economy, technology, business, and cyber fraud.
Seven of the ten fastest-growing UK Instagram accounts in July 2026 had direct ties to the FIFA World Cup, while Manchester City’s growth coincided with a club-record signing agreed during the tournament. Soccer players Michael Olise and Enzo Fernández posted the two biggest gains of the month, while Emiliano Martínez set a World Cup final saves record despite Argentina’s defeat. Actors Tom Holland and entrepreneur Simon Squibb were the exceptions, riding a blockbuster film run and a steady entrepreneurship following instead.
Here are the fastest-growing UK Instagram accounts from last month:
#1. Michael Olise | @m.olise
Gained: +2.88M followers
July total: 11.2M followers
Became one of France’s breakout stars at the World Cup, helping Les Bleus reach the semi-finals before a fourth-place finish and fueling transfer speculation about his future.
#2. Enzo Fernández | @enzojfernandez
Gained: +2.67M followers
July total: 15.7M followers
The Chelsea midfielder was sent off in the World Cup final loss to Spain, capping a tournament that included a decisive goal against Egypt and an equalizer against England.
#3. Tom Holland | @tomholland2013
Gained: +2.04M followers
July total: 66.5M followers
Promoted Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” ahead of its July 17 release and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” which debuted July 31.
#4. Emi Martínez | @emi_martinez26
Gained: +1.42M followers
July total: 16.7M followers
The Argentina goalkeeper set a World Cup final record with 11 saves against Spain, playing through a fractured finger, though the Golden Glove went to Spain’s Unai Simón.
#5. Harry Kane | @harrykane
Gained: +1.25M followers
July total: 20.1M followers
England’s captain finished the World Cup as the team’s top scorer with six goals before a semi-final exit to Argentina.
#6. England Football Team | @england
Gained: +1.05M followers
July total: 14.1M followers
The Three Lions followed a semi-final loss to Argentina with a 6-4 win over France in a ten-goal World Cup third-place thriller.
#7. Declan Rice | @declanrice
Gained: +692K followers
July total: 7.4M followers
Vice-captaining England at a World Cup, Rice scored England’s second-fastest goal in the competition’s history in the third-place win over France.
#8. David Beckham | @davidbeckham
Gained: +588K followers
July total: 87.9M followers
The former England captain and his family were fixtures at England’s World Cup matches, and he was presented with a legacy cap by Harry Kane before the semi-final.
#9. Manchester City | @mancity
Gained: +575K followers
July total: 56.9M followers
City’s summer began with a club-record £116M deal for Elliot Anderson, agreed while the midfielder was still on England duty at the World Cup.
#10. Simon Squibb | @simonsquibb
Gained: +568K followers
July total: 6.4M followers
The HelpBnk founder and entrepreneur built his following the same way he always has, posting street-style videos helping strangers pursue business ideas.
The World Cup Takeover
Including Manchester City’s mid-tournament signing, eight of this month’s ten accounts connect directly to the 2026 World Cup, which ran through North America and ended July 19:
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the final, and England beat France 6-4 to take third.
Creators Building Without a Moment
Nine of this month’s ten accounts are tagged event-driven or institutional: elite athletes, a national team, a football club, and a movie star, all riding a tournament or release-cycle spike that would have shown up on the chart with or without them individually. Simon Squibb is the one exception. He had no tournament run, no red carpet, no single post that popped off, just a HelpBnk founder posting the same street-style, help-a-stranger-start-a-business content he posts every month.
Data from HypeAuditor, July 2026
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