2026 FIFA World Cup awards: Full list of winners
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At a glance
- Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup, defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final.
- Rodri was awarded the Golden Ball for best player, and Unai Simón received the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper.
- Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer with 10 goals.
Spain lifted the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy, securing their second title after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final. The triumph marks Spain's first World Cup win in 16 years, following their maiden victory in South Africa in 2010. Luis de la Fuente's squad made history by becoming the first team to win the tournament while conceding only a single goal throughout their campaign. Argentina, with Lionel Messi playing in what is anticipated to be his final World Cup, finished as runners-up. England secured third place, defeating France 6-4 in the bronze-medal match. Several players were recognized for their exceptional performances. Spain's midfielder Rodri was named the tournament's best player, receiving the Golden Ball for his crucial role in anchoring the team's midfield. His composure and leadership were instrumental in Spain's success. The Golden Boot for the top scorer went to France's Kylian Mbappé, who netted 10 goals in eight matches. Mbappé became the first player to win the award at two consecutive tournaments and extended his record as the men's all-time leading World Cup scorer with 22 career goals. Spain's goalkeeper Unai Simón was awarded the Golden Glove for his outstanding goalkeeping. He played a pivotal role in Spain conceding just one goal in seven matches and set a new World Cup record by maintaining a clean sheet for 650 consecutive minutes.
Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.