2026 FIFA World Cup Young Player Award Odds

Incredible names have won the FIFA World Cup Best Young Player award in the past. The list of candidates for the upcoming tournament is stacked with potential and future superstars.

Lamine Yamal is the frontrunner, but there are a couple of other names in the mix, and we’ll present them and their odds here as well.

FIFA World Cup Young Player Award Odds

Lamine Yamal

The Spanish wunderkind is already one of the best players in the world, and as such, he has the best odds of winning this prestigious individual award.

Yamal is the tip of the spear of the Spanish unit and the one most dangerous to the rival’s defenses. His touch, dribbling, skills, and everything else are simply fantastic. If Spain reaches the semis, he’s the main candidate to win this honor.

Desire Doue France

The problem for Doue, who exploded this season, is that he has very good teammates; thus, he can’t shine to his full potential. Olise, Mbappe, and others are big names, and it’s questionable whether Doue gets enough space to showcase his immense talent. But if he does…. That’s going to be a blast.

Warren Zaire Emery

It’s the same as with Doue, only Zaire Emery plays midfield, where some rotations might be more frequent, and he might get more playing time. Though Zaire-Emery might establish himself as a joker coming off the bench, the same as Doue, and players with similar roles often won various awards.

Nico O’Reilly

City’s left-back was the EPL Young Player of the Year, and he is a regular under Tuchel in the national team. This is something that immediately puts him ahead of the competition. He has the public’s attention and the chance to prove himself. In the defensive-minded system Tuchel applies, O’Reilly has a notable role, so if England reaches, let’s say, the semis, he might be a very formidable candidate for the award.

Darkhorses

Pau Curbasi – Arguably the best defender of the entire generation. Spain’s cornerstone in the back line. If Spain goes all the way, he could take this award and Yamal some other.

Lennart Karl – Germany is pretty much forgotten because it isn’t as flashy as it used to be. But remember, they are always very dangerous in the big tournaments. Karl might be their new sensation, and he could explode given the offensive-minded playstyle this unit has.

Arda Guler – Turkey has a very interesting team with a high ceiling. Guler had a solid season in Real, and he was the sole bright spot in Los Blancos darkness. Now, if the Turks go deep into the knockout round, do know that Guler has extremely high chances of winning the award. He is their playmaker and the most important player.