The World Cup's Golden Ball award recognizes the tournament's best player, and was last given to Lionel Messi in 2022 for his incredible performances while leading Argentina to it's third World Cup victory in Qatar.
The Golden Ball is a trophy is handed to the best player of the tournament, and takes into account both individual and team performance. The trophy is typically won by a player on a team that reaches the final, or at least the semi-final of the tournament.
Lionel Messi is of course one of the favorites to win the award in 2026 after winning it twice previously (2014, 2022), but it's England's Harry Kane who is favored in the odds.
Read the latest odds to win the Golden Ball trophy at the 2026 World Cup.
2026 World Cup Golden Ball Award Odds
Harry Kane (England) | +700 | Lamine Yamal (Spain) | +800 |
Kylian Mbappe (France) | +1000 | Michael Olise (France) | +1000 |
Lionel Messi (Argentina) | +1000 | Vinicius Jr. (Brazil) | +1400 |
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) | +2000 | Declan Rice (England) | +2000 |
Pedri (Spain) | +2000 | Rayan Cherki (France) | +2000 |
Jude Bellingham (England) | +2500 | Ousmane Dembele (France) | +2500 |
Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) | +2500 | Raphinha (Brazil) | +2500 |
Vitinha (Portugal) | +2500 | Rodri (Spain) | +2500 |
Erling Haaland (Norway) | +2800 | Fabian Ruiz | +3300 |
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) | +3300 | Bernardo Silva (Portugal) | +3300 |
Neymar Jr. (Brazil) | +3300 |
Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change. Odds Updated 6/10/2026.
England captain Harry Kane (+700) is the favorite to win the Golden Ball in 2026, and is second in the 2026 World Cup top goalscorer odds. Kane had one of the best seasons of his already incredible career at the 32-years-old, and is carrying the hopes of England on his back into the World Cup this summer.
Kane is already England's all-time leading scorer entering the tournament, and if he can propel his nation to their first World Cup victory since 1966 he may go down as one of the best strikers of all-time.
Spain National Team star Lamine Yamal (+800) will only be 18-years-old during the World Cup this summer, but is already one of the top players in the world. If Spain are going to go far in this summer's tournament it will be due to the play of Yamal.
Many people would expect Kylian Mbappe (+1000) to be the outright favorite to with the Golden Ball after being the top scorer of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but the depth of France's attack may hurt the forward's chances of winning the award.
Depth along the France National Team frontline includes Michael Olise (+1000), Rayan Cherki (+2000), and Ousmane Dembele (+2500).
Legends of the game Lionel Messi (+1000) and Cristiano Ronaldo (+3300) are likely playing in their final World Cup tournament, but both players are still very capable of putting on some ridiculously impressive performances.
List of Every Golden Ball Winner
2026 | ??? |
2022 | Lionel Messi (Argentina) |
2018 | Luka Modric (Croatia) |
2014 | Lionel Messi (Argentina) |
2010 | Diego Forlan (Uruguay) |
2006 | Zinedine Zidane (France) |
2002 | Oliver Kahn (Germany) |
1998 | Ronaldo (Brazil) |
1994 | Romario (Brazil) |
1990 | Salvatore Schillaci (Italy) |
1986 | Diego Maradona (Argentina) |
1982 | Paolo Rossi (Italy) |
Read about Every Golden Ball Winner in World Cup History.
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Read the latest World Cup news on site.
Odds to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
USMNT 2026 World Cup Odds.
