Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi and Nico Paz lead the race for the FIFA Best Young Player Award as the World Cup 2026 final approaches.
OK29 has been tracking every twist of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Young Player Award race since the group stage kicked off, and with the final at MetLife Stadium just days away, the shortlist has never been sharper. The prize, presented by Aramco, goes to the best player at the tournament born on or after 1 January 2005, and it has a habit of picking out footballers who go on to define a generation. Kylian Mbappe, Thomas Muller and Enzo Fernandez all wore the title before becoming household names, which is exactly why Australian punters keep one eye on this award alongside the Golden Boot and Golden Ball.
What makes this year different is how tightly the race has bunched around the two finalists. Spain and Argentina both carry serious contenders into the last match, while several of the tournament’s early standouts were knocked out before they could seal the deal. Below is a clear, no-fuss rundown of where things stand, who is still in the hunt, and how the FIFA Technical Study Group actually reaches its decision.
What the FIFA Best Young Player Award actually recognises
Before backing a favourite, it helps to know exactly what this award measures and why it carries so much weight in football circles.
The eligibility rule that shapes the field
Only players born on or after 1 January 2005 qualify, which means a mix of teenagers and early twenty somethings makes up the entire pool. That cut off is strict, so a 26 year old having a stormer of a tournament simply is not in the conversation, no matter how good their form.
How the winner is chosen
Unlike the Golden Ball, which goes to a media vote, the Young Player Award is decided by FIFA’s Technical Study Group, a panel of coaches, analysts and former players who assess every eligible player across the full tournament rather than one standout match.
Why Australian fans track it closely
It is one of the most reliable form guides in football. The last four winners of the award have each gone on to lift the World Cup itself at some point in their career, which is why Aussie fans searching for World Cup 2026 storylines treat this race as essential viewing rather than a footnote.
The leading contenders heading into the final
With Spain and Argentina through to the decider, the shortlist has narrowed to a handful of genuine standouts.
Lamine Yamal, Spain’s teenage talisman
Yamal has been the most consistent name in this conversation since the group stage, and he enters the final off the back of a string of performances that have kept Spain’s attack ticking. Earning his first senior cap at 16 and now a fixture in La Roja’s starting eleven, he remains the player most Australian punters are backing to take the prize outright.
Pau Cubarsi, the defensive anchor
No defender has ever won this award, but Cubarsi has made a strong case to be the first. The Barcelona centre back has marshalled Spain’s backline through every knockout round, reading the game with a composure well beyond his years and forcing errors out of some of the tournament’s sharpest attackers.
Nico Paz, Argentina’s super sub
Paz has not started every match, but his impact off the bench for Argentina has been noticed by scouts and pundits alike. A creative midfielder with a knack for changing the tempo of a game, he gives Argentina a genuine alternative in the race should Spain’s contenders split the vote.
Contenders who fell short of the final
Several players strengthened their credentials early in the tournament before their nations were eliminated, and they still shape how the shortlist is read.
Desire Doue and France’s exit
The Paris Saint Germain forward was one of the standout performers of the group stage and Round of 16, scoring crucial goals and winning penalties alongside Mbappe. France’s semi final exit dented his case, but his tournament body of work remains one of the strongest on paper.
Ayyoub Bouaddi and Morocco’s run
Morocco’s midfield general pulled the strings all the way to the quarter finals, and FIFA’s own analysis praised his composure and intelligence both on and off the pitch. His run ended a step short of the final four, but he leaves the tournament as one of its breakout names.
Nico O’Reilly and England’s campaign
England’s young full back was a consistent starter and one of the tournament’s top performers for passing and tackling, nearly scoring in the Round of 16. England’s semi final defeat to Argentina closed the door on his award chances, but not on his growing reputation.
How the FIFA Young Player Award is decided and announced
The process behind the scenes matters just as much as the performances on the pitch, and it explains why the announcement always lands after the final whistle.
The Technical Study Group’s role
This panel watches every match of the tournament, not just the knockout stage, and builds a shortlist based on consistency across the full campaign. A single brilliant performance is not enough on its own, which is why players who started slowly can still climb the rankings late.
Timing of the announcement
The award is confirmed around the final at MetLife Stadium on 19 July 2026, alongside the Golden Boot, Golden Ball, Golden Glove and Fair Play Award. That means the result for the Young Player Award often lands within hours of the final whistle being blown on the tournament itself.
Past winners who went on to greatness
Mbappe took the honour in 2018 before becoming one of the sport’s biggest names, and Enzo Fernandez claimed it in 2022 before establishing himself at club level in the Premier League. History suggests whoever wins in 2026 will be a name Australian football fans hear for years to come.
Following the Young Player Award race at OK29
For Australians who want to follow the final stages of the World Cup 2026 without wading through overseas betting sites, it keeps the whole race in one place.
Live updates and odds in one spot
They tracks the shortlist match by match, updating odds on the Young Player Award alongside the Golden Boot and Golden Ball races so Australian fans are not left refreshing a dozen tabs during the final.
OK29 Pokies inspired by the World Cup
Beyond the tournament markets, OK29 Pokies has rolled out a run of football themed titles for fans who want to keep the World Cup buzz going between matches, with the same easy navigation Aussie players expect from OK29 Slots.
Betting responsibly on young talent
Backing a breakout star is part of the fun of a home stretch like this, but OK29 encourages setting a limit before the final kicks off. If gambling stops being fun, free and confidential support is available around the clock on 1800 858 858.
Conclusion
The FIFA Best Young Player Award has narrowed to a genuine two way contest between Spain’s Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi and Argentina’s Nico Paz, with the eliminated contenders from France, Morocco and England still shaping how close the vote is likely to be. Whoever the Technical Study Group names when the final whistle blows at MetLife Stadium will join a list of past winners who went on to define the sport, and OK29 will have the result the moment it is confirmed. Head to OK29 to follow the final stages of the World Cup 2026 and see how the Young Player Award race plays out.
Your questions about the FIFA Best Young Player Award answered
Who is favourite to win the FIFA Best Young Player Award in 2026?
Spain’s Lamine Yamal is the most backed name heading into the final, with teammate Pau Cubarsi and Argentina’s Nico Paz the closest challengers for the Best Young Player Award.
How old do you have to be to qualify for the award?
Players must be born on or after 1 January 2005 to be eligible for the Best Young Player Award, keeping the field limited to the tournament’s youngest talents.
When is the Best Young Player Award announced?
The Best Young Player Award is confirmed around the World Cup Finals at MetLife Stadium on 19 July 2026, alongside the Golden Boot, Golden Ball and Golden Glove.
