The curtain has officially fallen on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Spain crowned world champions after a memorable campaign, but the celebrations did not end with the lifting of the trophy.
As has become tradition, FIFA also recognised the tournament’s standout individual performers, rewarding players whose brilliance lit up football’s biggest stage.
From Kylian Mbappe’s ruthless goal scoring exploits to Rodri’s midfield masterclass and Unai Simón’s record-breaking performances between the posts, several stars walked away with the tournament’s top individual accolades after producing exceptional displays throughout the month-long competition.
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World Cup 2026 Individual Awards
Kylian Mbappe- France – Golden Boot
France may have fallen short of winning the World Cup, but Mbappe once again underlined why he is regarded as one of the finest forwards of his generation.
The French captain claimed the prestigious Golden Boot after finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer with 10 goals.
The Real Madrid star scored a brace in France’s third-place playoff defeat to England on Sunday morning, a performance that saw him pull clear of Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who finished with eight goals.
Mbappe also made history by winning the Golden Boot for a second consecutive World Cup, having first claimed the award in 2022.
His two goals also saw him become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals in 22 World Cup appearances, moving one clear of Messi, who sits second with 21.
Rodri – Spain – Golden Ball
Spain’s dominance at the tournament was reflected in the individual awards, with midfield general Rodri taking home the coveted Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
The Manchester City midfielder and Ballon d’Or winner was among Spain’s standout performers throughout the tournament.
He dominated the midfield with his composure and control, dictating the tempo of play while shielding the backline as La Roja conceded just one goal on their way to reclaiming the FIFA World Cup title.
Unai Simón- Spain – Golden Glove
At the opposite end of the pitch, goalkeeper Unai Simón was rewarded with the Golden Glove after producing one of the finest goalkeeping displays ever witnessed at a World Cup.
The Spanish shot-stopper proved almost impossible to beat as Spain conceded just a single goal in seven matches. His commanding presence, sharp reflexes and calm distribution provided the perfect foundation for Luis de la Fuente’s side.
Simón also etched his name into the history books by setting a new World Cup record of 650 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal, highlighting just how dominant Spain were defensively throughout the tournament.
Pau Cubarsí-Spain-Best Young Player Award
Spain’s remarkable campaign also saw teenage defender Pau Cubarsí emerge as one of world football’s brightest young talents, to win the prestigious FIFA Best Young Player Award.
The promising rising star could not have seen the back of the net, but he played every minute of the tournament and kept seven clean sheets to anchor a historically dominant defense.
His contribution was instrumental in helping Spain boast the tournament’s best defensive record on their way to lifting the famous trophy.
Netherlands
Meanwhile, the FIFA Fair Play Award went to the Netherlands. Although the Dutch endured a disappointing campaign that ended in the Round of 32 following a penalty shootout defeat to Morocco after a 1-1 draw, they were recognised for displaying exemplary discipline and sportsmanship throughout the competition.