2026 FIFA World Cup Best Player Odds

World Cup Golden Ball odds are already out, and a couple of players stand out over all the others. On one side are the young lions who are ready to take over the world of football, while on the other are veterans for whom this might be their last dance.

World Cup Golden Ball Odds

Harry Kane (England)

The English captain leads the way here, and how wouldn’t he, given his season in Bayern, which resulted in 60 goals and the European Golden Boot. He is the undisputed leader of the English national team and the player who will be a critical point in their tactics.

The Three Lions are projected to go deep, and if they do so, Kane’s chances will be very good.

Lamine Yamal (Spain)

Barcelona’s star is the main weapon of the Spanish team and arguably the top NextGen player. He can do wonders with the ball, and it’s very likely that Spain’s deep run in the knockout stage won’t go without his domination.

Sure, the Red Fury has plenty of players capable of scoring or orchestrating the situation on the field, but none are as flashy and flamboyant as Yamal.

Michael Olise (France)

The sole question here is whether Mbappe’s ego destroys the French team. Olise is one of the best players in Europe, far better than Mbappe at the moment, and if Didier Deschamps manages to sort out the locker room, France will play well. And Olise will shine, because his one-on-one performances this year have been unreal.

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Messi is still a genius. Yes, he is old, and everything, but his aura, the way he functions with his teammates, and also, the officiating criteria that protect him can all blend into a winning combination. Plus, he takes all the set pieces in Argentina, which has an amazing team and is one of the top favorites to win the title. So what do you want more?

Kylian Mbappe (France)

There are two solutions for Mbappe. One is to justify his reputation of a chemistry wrecker, and the other is for him to bounce back as never before and lead France to another trophy. He has the potential and quality, and his team can go deep, which is why many sportsbooks see him as the top favorite for this award.

Honorable mentions:

Bruno Fernandes – The EPL Player of the Year, with a fantastic squad around him and one of the dark horses for the title.

Jude Bellingham – He had a mid-season, but Bellingham is still one of the best players in the world, on a superb team.

Pedri – Many forget that this guy is the heart and the soul of the Spanish team, which, by the way, is the European champion.