FIFA World Cup awards: Who should have won?

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Spain's Pau Cubarsi with the young player of the tournament award, Rodri with the golden ball award and goalkeeper Unai Simon with the golden glove award following the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Argentina at the New York-New Jersey Stadium. Picture date: Sunday July 19, 2026. (Photo by Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images

The 2026 World Cup is over, with Spain winning it all on Sunday afternoon for the second time in their history. Before the World Cup trophy was lifted by Rodri and the rest of La Roja, FIFA issued its World Cup awards to several players.

Awards like the Golden Ball, Golden Boot, and Golden Glove are important to recognize the best players during the tournament. And while some are based on stats, debates can be had over the others. So, we go through the various FIFA World Cup awards, who won, and who probably should have won.

Golden Ball

Actual: Rodri (Spain)
Should Have Been: Kylian Mbappé (France)

Don’t sleep on Rodri. He was a terrific player during the tournament, leading Spain to the title. But the Golden Ball probably should have gone to France’s Kylian Mbappé, who scored 10 goals and paced France under immense pressure.

Silver Ball

Actual: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Should Have Been: Rodri (Spain)

Lionel Messi likely would have been awarded the Golden Ball again should Argentina have prevailed, so he settles for the Silver Ball. Rodri should have won the Silver Ball in this scenario for what he did to help Spain win it all.

Bronze Ball

Actual: Kylian Mbappé (France)
Should Have Been: Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Mbappé settles for the Bronze Ball, but in a world where he wins the Golden Ball and Rodri the Silver Ball, Lionel Messi would be the Bronze Ball winner. Jude Bellingham is right there as well for emerging to help England to the bronze medal.

Golden Boot

Actual: Kylian Mbappé (France)
Should Have Been: Kylian Mbappé (France)

Mbappé scored 10 goals at the 2026 World Cup, tied for 3rd most ever in a single World Cup. He also added four assists. In the process, Mbappé became the first player ever to win the Golden Boot twice. The Golden Boot was his once he scored the brace in the 3rd place match and Lionel Messi couldn’t score in the final.

Golden Glove

Actual: Unai Simón (Spain)
Should Have Been: Unai Simón (Spain)

There were some stellar performances by goalkeepers in this tournament, but Unai Simón and his defense was historic. Spain conceded only 1 goal in the World Cup, a record low for a single tournament. Sure, you had players like Vozinha and Eloy Room and even Emi Martinez putting in great matches. But, Simón was consistently stellar and gave Spain every chance to win every match with his stops along with his back line.

FIFA Young Player Award

Actual: Pau Cubarsi (Spain)
Should Have Been: Désiré Doué (France)

Cubarsi started every match and played every minute of the World Cup, and the 19-year-old centerback was solid on Spain’s defense. He ends up winning the Young Player award, but France’s Désiré Doué likely deserved it. He was dynamic for France and would have been a worthy winner.

FIFA Fair Play Award

Actual: Netherlands
Should Have Been: Norway

The Netherlands win the Fair Play Award by drawing only 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards, and just 41 fouls over the course of the tournament. However, Norway had 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards and 58 fouls conceded throughout their run to the quarterfinals, which was two rounds further than the Netherlands and their Round of 32 exit. For that, Norway should have been the Fair Play Award recipients.

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