Players recognised with individual awards at the 2026 World Cup

Spain's triumph at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was reflected not only in lifting the trophy, but also in the individual honours handed to players at the conclusion of the tournament. 

Three members of the Spanish squad were recognised for their outstanding performances, while France forward Kylian Mbappe once again underlined his status as one of the game's greatest goalscorers. 

Young Player Award: Pau Cubarsi (Spain)

At just 19 years of age, Pau Cubarsi displayed remarkable maturity throughout the tournament, helping Spain record crucial clean sheets in the knockout stages before completing their title-winning campaign with victory over Argentina in the final.

Comfortable in possession, dominant in one-on-one duels and fearless under pressure, Cubarsi emerged as one of the defining breakthrough stars of the tournament. His consistency and leadership beyond his years made him a deserved recipient of the Young Player Award.

Golden Glove: Unai Simon (Spain)

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon was awarded the Golden Glove after producing a string of decisive performances throughout the tournament. His calm distribution, commanding presence and crucial saves proved instrumental as Spain navigated a demanding knockout route to lift the World Cup.

Simon consistently delivered when it mattered most, preserving narrow leads in the latter stages of the competition and finishing the tournament as one of Spain's most influential performers. His reliability between the posts made him the standout goalkeeper of the tournament, keeping seven clean sheets in eight games.

Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe (France)

Kylian Mbappe claimed the Golden Boot after finishing as the tournament's leading scorer with 10 goals, becoming the first player to win the World Cup Golden Boot on two occasions following his success in Qatar in 2022.

Although France fell short of reaching the final, Mbappe's clinical finishing and relentless attacking threat ensured he remained the competition's standout goalscorer. He capped off his tournament with two goals in France's third-place play-off victory and now holds the record for all-time World Cup goals (22).

Golden Ball: Rodri (Spain)

Rodri’s exceptional tournament culminated with the Golden Ball, recognising him as the best player at the 2026 World Cup. The midfielder once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of football’s best controlling midfielders, dictating matches with his composure, intelligence and ability to dominate possession.

As the heartbeat of Spain's midfield, Rodri controlled the tempo in every phase of the tournament while providing the balance that allowed his team-mates to flourish. His influence was particularly evident throughout the knockout rounds, where his leadership and tactical discipline were central to Spain securing their second World Cup title.