World Cup 2026 FIFA Young Player Award odds

Lamine Yamal is favourite for the FIFA Young Player award at the 2026 World Cup.

To be eligible, a player must be 21 or younger at the start of the calendar year, and there are a number of youngsters who may have their eyes on the Golden Ball award.

While only Paolo Rossi has ever won the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot in the same World Cup since the former was first officially awarded in 1982, no one has ever won the Golden Ball and FIFA Young Player, which may count against favourite Yamal.

The award, which was first officially handed out in 2006 (though an online survey dictated winners for all previous World Cups back to 1958), has been won by Lukas Podolski, Thomas Muller, Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe and Enzo Fernandez.

Paris Saint-Germain star Desire Doue is second favourite ahead of club and country team mate Warren Zaire Emery.

Lennart Karl has enjoyed a stellar breakout season for Bayern Munich and was amongst the favourites for the award prior to his injury, leaving Nico O'Reilly, who's set to be England's first-choice left-back, as fourth favourite.

World Cup FIFA Young Player award odds

Odds will display when market is available.

bet365's Steve Freeth said: "There have been some big names handed this award in recent tournaments, including 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe in 2018.

"Lamine Yamal will turn that age just before the 2026 World Cup final and if Spain are still in contention then he'll be a lot shorter than 6/4.

"Punters have clearly not been put off by his recent injury with more than a quarter of bets placed on the Barca man, however, there could also be a chance that he's in the running for the Golden Ball and no player has yet both awards since its launch in 1982."

Odds displayed in the above article were correct at time of publishing and are subject to change or withdrawal at any time.