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The U.S. men's national team may not be the wealthiest squad at the 2026 World Cup, but the players donning the Stars and Stripes this summer are still pulling in considerable money.
However, unlike some U.S. rosters in other major sports, there's a notable gap in earnings between players on this team.
When compared to the gold medal-winning U.S. men's ice hockey squad from the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics, many of these players earn considerably less, and nearly all fall short of what the athletes who helped the U.S. claim gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics in men's basketball were making.
Christian Pulisic, the team's top earner, doesn't come close to Cristiano Ronaldo's estimated $230 million in wages or the over $100 million Lionel Messi pulls in through playing and off-field ventures, but he still commands impressive income from both soccer and outside activities.
Sportico examined the top USMNT players' total earnings, factoring in all revenue streams — club salaries, international bonuses, and commercial deals — and found that Christian Pulisic significantly outearns most of his teammates heading into this summer's tournament.
Here are the highest-paid USMNT players at the World Cup based on their 2025–26 earnings, per Sportico.
5. Tyler Adams ($7 million)
The engine of the USMNT midfield, Tyler Adams, could be poised for a significant jump in off-field earnings following the World Cup, given his central role on the squad.
In 2025–26, the Premier League midfielder pulled in an estimated $5.5 million on the pitch with Bournemouth, supplemented by an additional $1.5 million off it. Like several of his well-paid teammates, he also holds an ownership stake in a club near his roots, investing in USL side Westchester SC.
4. Chris Richards ($7.5 million)
Widely regarded as the USMNT's next captain, the Crystal Palace center back is one of four players on the roster who featured in the English Premier League during 2025–26, a competition known for some of the highest wages in world football.
The 26-year-old earned $5 million with his club, while sponsorship deals with Nike, Bank of America, and other brands added another $2.5 million to his income. He has also taken an ownership stake in Birmingham Legion FC, the USL club based in his hometown of Birmingham, Ala.
3. Tim Weah ($9.5 million)
Tim Weah may not be the most indispensable figure on the USMNT, but the son of legendary former player George Weah is still cashing in handsomely.
The 26-year-old reportedly earns $6 million for his performances on the pitch with Ligue 1 club Marseille, while off-field partnerships with New Balance and others add to his bottom line. That financial success has allowed him to join the ownership group of USL side Brooklyn FC.
2. Weston McKennie ($15 million)
McKennie has evolved into a genuine star at Juventus, playing a defining role for U.S. Soccer throughout 2025–26 — and he's carried that form into the World Cup.
Over the past season, Sportico estimates he brought in $7 million on the field and $8 million off it, totaling $15 million heading into this tournament.
1. Christian Pulisic ($27.5 million)
Christian Pulisic has established himself as the face of U.S. soccer in a way no American men's player has before him. While his annual salary at Italian club AC Milan sits just above $6 million, his total on-field earnings climb to $7.5 million according to available estimates.
It's his commercial portfolio away from the pitch where the real money flows, generating $20 million over the past year. Among his most recognizable endorsement deals are partnerships with Hershey's chocolate and Michelob beer.
How Much More Will Players Earn at the World Cup?
USMNT players stand to boost their earnings with a strong World Cup run, though they will share half of their World Cup bonus with players in the U.S. women's national team pool. In turn, USMNT players will also receive half of what the USWNT earns during their 2027 World Cup campaign.
This arrangement, matched only by Canada, stems from a 2022 collective bargaining agreement between the USMNT, USWNT, and U.S. Soccer. In practice, it means the financial incentive of the World Cup is somewhat reduced for the USMNT compared to other nations.
SI answers is our AI answer engine trained on human-created content.
Of the total prize money earned by the USMNT, 40% will go to the players, 40% to the USWNT, and the remaining 20% to the federation. A round of 32 exit would net each USMNT and USWNT player approximately $361,500, while a round of 16 elimination would push that figure to around $423,000 per player.
Should the USMNT go all the way and lift the trophy on July 19, total additional earnings per player would approach nearly $1 million — a transformative sum for the majority of players across both the USMNT and USWNT rosters.