2026 FIFA World Cup Individual Awards. The curtain has officially fallen on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Spain crowned world champions after a memorable campaign. But the celebrations did not end with the lifting of the trophy. As has become tradition, FIFA also recognised the tournament’s standout individual performers, rewarding the players whose brilliance lit up football’s biggest stage.
Awards at a glance
| Award | Winner | Key stat / note |
| Golden Boot (Top scorer) | Kyliân Mbappé (France) | 10 goals — new all-time WC scoring record (22 goals in 22 matches) |
| Golden Ball (Best player) | Rodri (Spain) | Midfield maestro; Spain conceded 1 goal in 8 matches |
| Golden Glove (Best goalkeeper) | Unai Simón (Spain) | WC record: 650 consecutive minutes without conceding |
| Best Young Player | Pau Cubarsí (Spain) | Every minute played; 7 clean sheets; 19 years old |
| Fair Play Award | Netherlands | Eliminated in R32 (pens vs Morocco); exemplary discipline |
Golden Boot — Kyliân Mbappé (France)
Kyliân Mbappé claimed the Golden Boot as the tournament’s leading scorer with 10 goals — including a brace in France’s third-place playoff against England. The Real Madrid captain’s final tally pulled him clear of Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who finished on eight goals.
Mbappé now wins the Golden Boot at consecutive World Cups, having first claimed it in 2022. More significantly, his tournament tally takes his career World Cup total to 22 goals in 22 appearances — moving him one ahead of Messi (21) as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.
Golden Ball — Rodri (Spain)
Rodri’s selection as the tournament’s best player was the consensus choice of the competition. The Manchester City midfielder and reigning Ballon d’Or winner dominated matches from the centre of the park throughout Spain’s eight-match unbeaten campaign, dictating tempo, recycling possession and shielding a backline that conceded just one goal across the entire tournament.
His composure and intelligence were the engine of Spain’s possession-based system and a central reason they were never seriously threatened for extended periods in any match, including the final itself.
Golden Glove — Unai Simón (Spain)
Unai Simón claimed the Golden Glove after one of the finest goalkeeping campaigns in World Cup history. The Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper was barely tested throughout Spain’s run, a reflection of his team’s dominance, but when called upon he was faultless.
Simón set a new World Cup record of 650 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal, eclipsing the previous mark. Spain conceded just one goal across their entire tournament campaign — across all eight matches from the group stage to the final.
Best Young Player — Pau Cubarsí (Spain)
Pau Cubarsí’s emergence as one of world football’s brightest young talents was confirmed when he was named FIFA Best Young Player of the Tournament. The 19-year-old Barcelona defender played every minute of Spain’s eight matches and kept seven clean sheets, anchoring the historically dominant defence. His reading of the game, composure under pressure and the key role he played in provoking Enzo Fernández’s red card in the final made him one of the tournament’s most complete performers.
FIFA Fair Play Award — Netherlands
The FIFA Fair Play Award went to the Netherlands. Despite a disappointing campaign that ended in the Round of 32 after a 1-1 draw with Morocco followed by a penalty shootout defeat, the Dutch were recognised for displaying exemplary discipline and sportsmanship throughout the competition.
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