The Golden Ball is one of the most prestigious awards, and it is given to the best overall performer at the FIFA World Cup tournament. A shortlist of candidates is prepared by FIFA’s technical committee, after which accredited media representatives vote to determine the winner. The Silver Ball is awarded to the player who finishes second in the voting, and the Bronze Ball to the player who finishes third.
The award was introduced in the 1982 FIFA World Cup, and its first recipient was Italian striker Paolo Rossi. In 2022, Lionel Messi made history by becoming the first-ever player to win the Golden Ball at two World Cup tournaments.
Top 5 Golden Ball Favorites for FIFA World Cup 2026
Ahead of the mega event, let’s dive into this story and find out about the top 5 favorites to win the prestigious award.
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Lionel Messi, who won the Golden Ball at the FIFA World Cup 2026, will be aiming to produce another standout campaign in 2026. The 38-year-old continues to play a crucial role for Argentina and remains one of the team’s biggest attacking threats. Across his last 12 appearances for the national side, Messi has registered eight goals and three assists.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will enter the tournament in fine club form as he scored 13 goals and made seven assists in 16 appearances for Inter Miami this season, highlighting his ability to make a difference at the top level in the MLS.
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2. Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)
Bruno Fernandes heads into the 2026 FIFA World Cup following an outstanding season with Manchester United. The Portuguese midfielder enjoyed a remarkable campaign in the Premier League as he registered the record for the most assists in a single season and surpassing the previous mark shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. Additionally, he also won the Premier League Player of the Year award.
Fernandes’ creativity will be important for Portugal at the World Cup. He’ll be the main creator for the team and will be charged with setting up the attack and driving the team forward in key moments. Fernandes will look to form a strong understanding with captain Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal chase what would be the first FIFA World Cup title in the nation’s history.
3. Kylian Mbappe (France)
Kylian Mbappe was one of the stars of the FIFA World Cup 2022 and his hat-trick in the final against Argentina is considered one of the best performances in the tournament’s history. The French superstar will be in the limelight again in the 2026 edition.
Although Real Madrid ended the season without major silverware, Mbappe had an impressive individual campaign, scoring 42 goals and providing seven assists in 44 appearances across all competitions. He is also on the verge to script during the FIFA World Cup 2026 as he is just one goal behind Olivier Giroud’s record for the most goals in France’s history. As captain of a French side considered among the tournament favorites, Mbappe will be under pressure to lead from the front and deliver on the biggest stage.
4. Ousmane Dembel (France)
Over the past two seasons, Ousmane Dembele has established himself as one of the most influential players in world football. The Paris Saint-Germain attacker played a vital role in the club’s back-to-back UEFA Champions League success and had a sensational 2024/25 season, scoring 35 goals in 53 appearances. His fine showings were rewarded with the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Dembele carried that wave of momentum into 2025/26, keeping up a strong scoring rate of around a goal every two games. Injuries kept him away from most of France’s World Cup qualifying matches but the winger is still likely to be a regular starter under Didier Deschamps and could be one of Les Bleus’ key men at the tournament.
5. Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Lamine Yamal is all set t o play his maiden World Cup. Despite his young age, the Barcelona teenage sensation enters the tournament with enormous expectations as he played a key role in securing consecutive La Liga titles. Yamal also played a starring role in Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 triumph, making a major impact in his first senior international tournament.
The teenaged winger has already made his mark for Spain, scoring six goals and dishing out 12 assists in only 25 appearances. He is likely to miss the early stages of the World Cup as he recovers from a hamstring injury but Yamal is highly likely to play a key role for Spain when he is fully fit.
Also Read: Top 5 goal scorers In FIFA World Cup History
