Messi and Mbappe lead World Cup award races before final
The 2026 World Cup’s individual awards are taking shape, with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe level in the Golden Boot race.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe enter the closing stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as leading contenders for major tournament awards. Al Jazeera reported that the end-of-tournament honours will be decided around the final, with some awards settled before kickoff.
The main prizes include the Golden Boot, Golden Ball, Golden Glove, Young Player award, Fair Play award and Goal of the Tournament. FIFA uses a mix of statistics, technical assessment, media voting and public voting to decide the winners, according to Al Jazeera and FIFA rules cited in its report.
Golden Boot race is level at the top
The Golden Boot goes to the player with the most goals in the tournament. If players finish tied, FIFA first uses assists as the tiebreaker, then minutes played if goals and assists are level.
Al Jazeera reported that Mbappe and Messi are tied on eight goals and three assists each. Mbappe won the award in 2022 after scoring eight goals in Qatar.
- Kylian Mbappe, France: 8 goals, 3 assists
- Lionel Messi, Argentina: 8 goals, 3 assists
- Harry Kane, England: 6 goals, 1 assist
- Jude Bellingham, England: 6 goals, 1 assist
- Ousmane Dembele, France: 6 goals, 2 assists
- Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain: 5 goals, 1 assist
Golden Ball contenders include stars and a goalkeeper
The Golden Ball is awarded to the tournament’s best player. FIFA’s technical study group selects a shortlist, and accredited media covering the World Cup vote for the winner, with Silver Ball and Bronze Ball awards for the next two finishers.
Al Jazeera identified Messi, Mbappe and France’s Michael Olise among the leading candidates. Other contenders listed were Kane, Bellingham, Norway’s Erling Haaland and Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.
Messi is the previous winner and the only player to have won the Golden Ball twice, according to Al Jazeera. The report noted that the award has often gone to players whose teams did not win the World Cup, because voting ends before the final.
Goalkeepers and young players in focus
The Golden Glove is given to the tournament’s top goalkeeper, based on factors including impact, saves and clean sheets. Al Jazeera reported that Vozinha has drawn attention for Cape Verde, while Orlando Gill of Uruguay, Diogo Costa of Portugal, Gregor Kobel of Switzerland, Yassine Bounou of Morocco and Mostafa Shobeir of Egypt also produced standout performances.
The Young Player award is open to players under 21. FIFA says the prize recognises a young player whose performances, skill and impact stand out during the tournament.
Al Jazeera reported that Spain’s Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi lead the field after reaching the final with the European champions. Other candidates include Mexico’s Gilberto Mora, France’s Desire Doue, England’s Nico O’Reilly and Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Fair Play and best goal still to be decided
The Fair Play award recognises a team’s conduct during the tournament and is limited to sides that progress beyond the initial group phase. Al Jazeera reported that Spain, France and Norway are in contention in 2026; England won the award at the 2022 World Cup.
The Goal of the Tournament is decided by public vote from selected goals. Al Jazeera reported that the final shortlist includes Mbappe against Morocco, Andreas Schjelderup against England, Bellingham against Norway, Julian Alvarez against Switzerland, Pedro Porro against France and Enzo Fernandez against England.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.