Feature— 5 min read
Spain did not just win the 2026 World Cup. They swept almost every individual award on offer, capping a campaign that was statistically the most defensively dominant in the history of the tournament. Here is every prize and the story behind it.
GOLDEN BALL — RODRI (Spain)
The award for the tournament's best player went to Spain captain Rodri, voted by FIFA's Technical Study Group from a media shortlist. Lionel Messi finished second, Kylian Mbappe third.
Rodri was the engine behind everything Spain did. His control of tempo, his positioning to shield the defence, and his ability to recycle possession under pressure made Spain functionally impossible to play through. In eight matches, Spain conceded once. That is not a coincidence. It is what Rodri does.
"De la Fuente said after the final: 'Rodri was the difference. He made us better in every match.'
GOLDEN BOOT — KYLIAN MBAPPE (France)
Kylian Mbappe finished as the tournament's top scorer with 10 goals and four assists in eight matches, becoming the first player in history to win the Golden Boot at two consecutive World Cups after claiming it at Qatar 2022. His tally of 22 World Cup goals across two tournaments is now an all-time record, surpassing Messi's 18.
Mbappe scored twice in France's 6-4 bronze medal defeat to England to seal the award, with Messi finishing on eight goals — two short of a man who did not even reach the final.
The France striker's campaign included goals against Senegal, Paraguay, Morocco twice, Norway and England — a scoring record across every stage of the tournament. He ends the 2026 World Cup as the greatest scorer in the competition's history.
GOLDEN GLOVE — UNAI SIMON (Spain)
Spain's goalkeeper was awarded the Golden Glove after conceding just one goal across eight matches and recording seven clean sheets — a World Cup record. His streak of 650 consecutive minutes without conceding is also a new record for the tournament.
Spain's only concession came against Belgium in the quarterfinals. His save from Messi in the opening minutes of the final defined the match. Save percentage of 90.9 per cent across the tournament. No goalkeeper at a World Cup has ever been more dominant.
BEST YOUNG PLAYER — PAU CUBARSI (Spain)
Nineteen-year-old Barcelona centre-back Pau Cubarsi was named FIFA Young Player of the Tournament after playing all eight matches of Spain's winning campaign. The award has previously gone to Lukas Podolski, Thomas Muller, Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe and Enzo Fernandez — Cubarsi is only the second teenager ever to receive it after Mbappe in 2018.
Cubarsi was imperious throughout, winning aerial duels, reading play early and covering for teammates in a way that belied his age entirely. It was his challenge in stoppage time that drew the reckless Enzo Fernandez response, leading to the red card that swung the final.
FIFA FAIR PLAY AWARD — NETHERLANDS
The Netherlands, eliminated in the Round of 32 by Morocco on penalties, received the FIFA Fair Play Award for the most disciplined team conduct across their three matches in the tournament.
TOP SCORERS — FINAL TABLE
Kylian Mbappe (France) — 10 goals, 4 assists
Lionel Messi (Argentina) — 8 goals
Jude Bellingham (England) — 7 goals
Erling Haaland (Norway) — 7 goals
Harry Kane (England) — 6 goals
Ousmane Dembele (France) — 6 goals
Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) — 5 goals, 4 assists
Folarin Balogun (USA) — 4 goals
Jonathan David (Canada) — 4 goals
Lamine Yamal (Spain) — 4 goals, 6 assists