The 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded, and Spain has been crowned champions of the tournament for the second time in the nation’s history. Now that all the games have been played and the competition has concluded, let’s take a look at the winners of the tournament’s four most prestigious individual awards this summer.
Rodri took home the illustrious Golden Ball after Spain’s dominant campaign throughout the tournament. This Spanish side looked on a different level from the rest of the competition this summer, with the Spaniards conceding just one goal all tournament. Spain was incredibly deep and consistent across the pitch, but the mastermind behind their success and dominant possession-based style was none other than their captain Rodri.
The Manchester City midfielder was calm and composed throughout the tournament and was especially crucial in the semifinal against France and the final versus Argentina, helping Spain control possession and create chances with his exceptional passing range.
Rodri was one of the biggest reasons behind Spain’s success this summer and has now ushered his country into a new era after captaining Spain to both the UEFA Euro 2024 title and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This tournament’s Golden Boot race was one of the most competitive in World Cup history, with numerous players coming close to winning the award. However, the trophy ultimately went to France’s Kylian Mbappé, who finished the tournament with 10 goals in eight games.
Other contenders came close, including Lionel Messi, who finished with eight goals and led the Golden Boot race for most of the tournament before Mbappé sealed the award with a brace in France’s third-place match against England.
Mbappé truly deserved the Golden Boot after producing one of the greatest individual tournaments in World Cup history, finishing with a combined 14 goals and assists. He also became the FIFA World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer with 22 career goals in just three tournaments.
Other Golden Boot contenders included Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland, who both finished with seven goals, while Ousmane Dembélé and Harry Kane each scored six.
The Golden Glove was one of the easiest awards to predict, as Spain’s Unai Simón took home the honor after recording seven clean sheets in eight games. Simón set a World Cup record with his seven clean sheets and was integral to Spain’s success, conceding just one goal throughout the tournament.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente came under some scrutiny before the tournament for choosing Simón over Arsenal’s David Raya, who was coming off back-to-back Premier League Golden Glove awards, and Barcelona’s talented young goalkeeper Joan García. However, the decision to stick with Simón proved to be a brilliant one.
Simón has now been Spain’s starting goalkeeper during both their UEFA Euro 2024 victory and this year’s World Cup victory, and he figures to remain a mainstay in the national team for years to come after another incredible tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Best Young Player award went to Spain’s young center back Pau Cubarsí. Cubarsí made his first major tournament appearance for Spain this summer and played every minute of the nation’s eight World Cup matches.
While he had already begun establishing himself as one of Barcelona’s brightest young defenders, the 19-year-old delivered one of the most impressive World Cup debuts by a young defender and was an invaluable piece of Spain’s backline.
The pairing of Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte anchored Spain’s defense and was a major reason the team conceded just one goal throughout the tournament. Cubarsí’s composure at just 19 years old, combined with his outstanding passing ability, proved he has what it takes to become one of the next generation’s best defenders.
After his outstanding World Cup campaign, he’ll figure to be one of the most important players for both the Spanish national team and Barcelona moving forward.
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