FIFA World Cup 2026 Awards Explained: Golden Boot, Golden Ball, Golden Glove & Every Major Honour

July 19, 2026: After weeks of excitement, drama and unforgettable moments, the FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached its final chapter. Only one match remains before the curtains come down on the tournament, with Spain and Argentina set to battle for the coveted World Cup trophy on Sunday.

While the spotlight will naturally be on the team that lifts football's biggest prize, the final will also determine the recipients of several prestigious individual and team awards presented by FIFA. These honours recognise outstanding performances throughout the tournament, rewarding the best players, goalkeepers, young talents, goals and the most disciplined teams.

Some of these awards will be decided only after the final whistle, while others are already close to being finalised before the title clash begins. Unsurprisingly, players from Spain and Argentina dominate many of the award races, although several stars from other nations remain in contention.

The major FIFA World Cup awards include:

Golden Boot – Tournament's top scorer
Golden Ball – Best player of the tournament
Golden Glove – Best goalkeeper
Best Emerging Player (Young Player Award) – Best young footballer
Fair Play Award – Most disciplined team
Goal of the Tournament – Best goal of the competition

Golden Boot Race: Messi Leads Mbappe Before the Final

The Golden Boot is awarded to the tournament's highest goalscorer. France superstar Kylian Mbappe claimed the honour at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after finishing with eight goals.

If two or more players finish level on goals, FIFA first considers assists to determine the winner. If players remain tied, the award goes to the footballer who achieved the tally while playing fewer minutes.

Heading into the 2026 World Cup final, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are locked on eight goals each. However, Messi currently leads the race thanks to his superior assist tally.

Golden Boot Standings

Lionel Messi (Argentina): 8 goals, 4 assists
Kylian Mbappe (France): 8 goals, 3 assists
Erling Haaland (Norway): 7 goals
Jude Bellingham (England): 6 goals, 1 assist
Harry Kane (England): 6 goals, 1 assist
Ousmane Dembele (France): 5 goals, 2 assists
Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain): 5 goals, 1 assist

Golden Ball, Golden Glove and Young Player Award: Who Are the Leading Contenders?

Golden Ball

Latest Winner: Lionel Messi (Argentina)

The Golden Ball is awarded to the tournament's best overall player. FIFA's Technical Study Group prepares a shortlist of standout performers, after which accredited media representatives vote to decide the winner. The runners-up receive the Silver Ball and Bronze Ball.

Since its introduction in 1978, the award has often gone to players whose teams failed to win the World Cup. Oliver Kahn (2002), Zinedine Zidane (2006), Diego Forlan (2010), Lionel Messi (2014) and Luka Modric (2018) all won the Golden Ball despite finishing as runners-up. Kahn also remains the only goalkeeper to receive the honour.

Messi is the only footballer in World Cup history to have won the Golden Ball twice, and the Argentina captain is once again considered the favourite to secure the award.

Other leading contenders include Spain midfield star Rodri and forward Mikel Oyarzabal, France duo Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise, England's Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, Norway striker Erling Haaland and Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.

Golden Glove

Latest Winner: Emiliano Martinez (Argentina)

The Golden Glove is presented to the tournament's best goalkeeper based on overall performances, crucial saves, consistency and clean sheets. The award was introduced in 1994 and was previously known as the Lev Yashin Award until 2010.

Interestingly, goalkeepers from the World Cup-winning team have claimed the award in four of the previous five editions.

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has emerged as one of the tournament's biggest stories thanks to a series of outstanding performances. His remarkable saves have earned widespread praise, while reports have linked him with a move to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami. However, with Cape Verde eliminated before the latter stages, his chances remain uncertain.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon is widely regarded as the leading contender after conceding just one goal in seven World Cup matches. England's Jordan Pickford, Paraguay's Orlando Gil, Portugal's Diogo Costa, Switzerland's Gregor Kobel, Morocco's Yassine Bounou and Egypt's Mostafa Shobeir are also among the contenders.

Best Emerging Player

Latest Winner: Enzo Fernandez (Argentina)

Introduced in 2006, the Young Player Award recognises the best under-21 footballer at the FIFA World Cup. According to FIFA, the honour celebrates a young player whose performances, technical ability and influence have made a significant impact throughout the tournament.

Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez won the award in Qatar four years ago.

This year, Spain teenagers Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi are considered the frontrunners after helping the European champions reach the final. France's Desire Doue, England youngster Nico O'Reilly and Morocco midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi have also impressed and remain firmly in the race.

Fair Play Award and Goal of the Tournament: Final Honours Still Up for Grabs

Fair Play Award

Latest Winner: England

The Fair Play Award recognises the team that displays the highest level of discipline, respect and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Introduced in 1970, only teams that progress beyond the group stage are eligible for the honour. In the expanded 48-team World Cup, nations reaching the Round of 32 qualify for consideration.

Brazil hold the record with four Fair Play Awards, while England and Spain have each won the honour three times. England were the recipients in Qatar 2022.

This year, Spain, France and Norway are among the strongest contenders to receive the award.

Goal of the Tournament

Unlike the other honours, the Goal of the Tournament is decided entirely by football fans through an official FIFA vote. The winner is selected from six shortlisted goals scored during the quarter-finals and semi-finals.

FIFA also announces the best goal from each knockout stage separately during the tournament.

Brazil striker Richarlison won the award in 2022 for his spectacular bicycle-kick goal against Serbia.

At the 2026 World Cup, Uzbekistan's Eldor Shomurodov claimed the Group Stage Goal Award, Cape Verde's Sidney Lopes Cabral won the Round of 32 honour, while Erling Haaland's dramatic late winner against Brazil was named the best goal of the Round of 16 after sending Norway into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

Goal of the Tournament Nominees

Kylian Mbappe – vs Morocco (Quarter-final)
Andreas Schjelderup – vs England (Quarter-final)
Jude Bellingham – vs Norway (Quarter-final)
Julian Alvarez – vs Switzerland (Quarter-final)
Pedro Porro – vs France (Semi-final)
Enzo Fernandez – vs England (Semi-final)

Voting for the award will close before the FIFA World Cup final begins. As a result, the winner of the Goal of the Tournament will be announced before Spain and Argentina take the field for the biggest match of the competition, bringing another memorable chapter to an unforgettable World Cup.