FIFA Young Player Award 2026: Winner, Shortlist and Full History
Pau Cubarsi of Spain won the FIFA Young Player Award 2026, the prize for the best player aged 21 or under at the FIFA World Cup 2026, the first 48-team tournament, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Presented in partnership with Aramco and decided by FIFA’s Technical Study Group, the award was confirmed after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the Final at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.
The 19-year-old Barcelona centre-back anchored a defense that conceded just one goal in eight matches, edging out teammate Lamine Yamal, France forward Desire Doue, and England defender Nico O’Reilly. He succeeds Enzo Fernandez, who won with champions Argentina in 2022, and is the third winner in a row to lift the World Cup trophy at the same tournament.
FIFA Young Player Award 2026 Quick Facts
| Award | FIFA Young Player Award, presented by Aramco |
| Tournament | FIFA World Cup 2026 (USA, Mexico, Canada) |
| Winner | Pau Cubarsi (Spain) |
| Age | 19 (born January 22, 2007) |
| Eligibility | Players born on or after January 1, 2005 |
| Decided by | FIFA Technical Study Group |
| Announced | After the Final, July 19, 2026, MetLife Stadium |
| Previous winner | Enzo Fernandez (Argentina, 2022) |
| First official winner | Lukas Podolski (Germany, 2006) |
| Retrospective first winner | Pele (Brazil, 1958) |
FIFA Young Player Award 2026 Winner: Pau Cubarsi
FIFA’s Technical Study Group named Pau Cubarsi the tournament’s best young player after the Final, making him the first defender to win the award since it became official in 2006. The numbers behind his win were historic: one goal conceded across eight matches, the fewest ever by a world champion, a record seven clean sheets for goalkeeper Unai Simon behind him, and a shutout of Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the Final itself.
The Final even produced a symbolic handover. Enzo Fernandez, the 2022 winner, was sent off late in regulation for a foul on Cubarsi, and substitute Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the 106th minute. The victory stretched Spain’s unbeaten run to 38 matches, an all-time international record that passed Italy’s mark of 37, and sealed a second world title after 2010.
Cubarsi and Yamal had already made history as the first teenagers to start a World Cup Final for the same team. Yamal, the pre-tournament favorite for this award, became the third-youngest player ever to appear in a World Cup Final, behind only Pele and Giuseppe Bergomi.
The 2026 Shortlist: How the Race Finished
FIFA tracked the under-21 race round by round. These six players defined it.
Pau Cubarsi (Spain), winner: The Barcelona centre-back started every match of Spain’s title run and anchored the tightest defense at the tournament. The only goal Spain allowed came against Belgium, and his composure against elite forwards, capped by shutting down Messi and Julian Alvarez in the Final, settled the race.
Lamine Yamal (Spain): The winger came off the bench in the 0-0 opener against Cabo Verde, then started every game. His only goal came in the 4-0 group win over Saudi Arabia, but his influence went far beyond scoring: man of the match in the 3-0 Round of 32 win over Austria, stretching defenses, drawing pressure, and ranking among the tournament leaders for high pressing. He leaves with a World Cup winners medal to sit beside his Euro 2024 title, Kopa Trophy, and Golden Boy award.
Desire Doue (France): The Paris Saint-Germain forward carried a large share of France’s attacking threat alongside Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise. Spain’s semifinal win ended his run, and France finished fourth.
Nico O’Reilly (England): The Manchester City left-back started four of England’s first five matches under Thomas Tuchel and featured in every victory. Argentina’s 2-1 semifinal win closed his path, and England took third place.
Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco): The Lille midfielder ran the Atlas Lions’ engine room during their run to the quarterfinals, where France ended Morocco’s tournament.
Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco): The Sunderland midfielder made his impact mainly from the bench, registering an assist in the knockout rounds.
Early exits eliminated two pre-tournament candidates: Endrick of Brazil and Arda Guler of Turkiye.
How the FIFA Young Player Award 2026 Was Decided
Eligibility covered players born on or after January 1, 2005, so every candidate was 21 or younger at the start of the tournament year. FIFA’s Technical Study Group, the same expert panel that decides the adidas Golden Glove, selected the winner on overall performance, skill, and impact rather than a single statistic. Team progress clearly mattered: Cubarsi in 2026, Fernandez in 2022, and Mbappe in 2018 all won the award while lifting the trophy.
Full History: Every Young Player Award Winner
The award has been presented officially at every World Cup since 2006. Cubarsi is the first defender on the official list and the third straight winner from the champion team.
| Year | Winner | Country | Tournament Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Pau Cubarsi | Spain | Champions |
| 2022 | Enzo Fernandez | Argentina | Champions |
| 2018 | Kylian Mbappe | France | Champions |
| 2014 | Paul Pogba | France | Quarterfinals |
| 2010 | Thomas Muller | Germany | Third place |
| 2006 | Lukas Podolski | Germany | Third place |
Mbappe’s 2018 win remains the modern attacking benchmark. The then 19-year-old scored four goals for champions France and became the first teenager to score in a World Cup Final since Pele in 1958. Cubarsi’s 2026 win is its defensive mirror.
FIFA also retrospectively recognized the best young player of every tournament from 1958 to 2002, a list that begins with Pele and includes Franz Beckenbauer, Michael Owen, and Landon Donovan.
Where the Award Sits Among World Cup 2026 Honors
The Young Player Award was one of four individual prizes confirmed around the Final. Spain captain Rodri won the adidas Golden Ball as best player, Kylian Mbappe took the adidas Golden Boot with 10 goals, becoming the first player to finish top scorer at consecutive World Cups, and Unai Simon claimed the adidas Golden Glove after a record seven clean sheets.
The Netherlands received the FIFA Fair Play Award. Full coverage of every race is on the FIFA World Cup 2026 Awards hub.
Also Check:
FIFA Young Player Award 2026 FAQ
Who won the FIFA Young Player Award 2026?
Pau Cubarsi of Spain won the FIFA Young Player Award 2026. FIFA confirmed the decision after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the Final at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.
Why did Cubarsi win ahead of Lamine Yamal?
The Technical Study Group rewarded his role in a record defense. Spain conceded one goal in eight matches, the fewest ever by a World Cup winner, kept a clean sheet in the Final, and Cubarsi started every match of the title run at centre-back.
Who is eligible for the award?
Any player born on or after January 1, 2005, keeping the field to the tournament’s best under-21 talents.
Who decides the winner?
FIFA’s Technical Study Group, a panel of technical experts, based on performances across the whole tournament.
Who won the award at the 2022 World Cup?
Enzo Fernandez of Argentina, who helped La Albiceleste lift the trophy in Qatar. He was sent off in the 2026 Final for a foul on Cubarsi, his successor.
Is the Young Player Award the same as the Golden Ball?
No. The adidas Golden Ball goes to the tournament’s best player regardless of age and is voted on by accredited media. In 2026 it went to Rodri. The Young Player Award covers only players aged 21 or under and is decided by FIFA’s Technical Study Group.
The FIFA Young Player Award 2026 belongs to Pau Cubarsi, the calm center of a Spain defense that rewrote the tournament’s record books on the way to the title.
He joins a lineage that includes Pele, Mbappe, and Fernandez, a list that has repeatedly identified football’s next global superstars.
This page carries the confirmed result, the final shortlist, and the complete historical record.
