- What is the World Cup 2026 Young Player Award
- Who will win the Young Player Award
- Young Player Award odds
- History of the Young Player Award
- How the winner of the World Cup 2026 Young Player Award is chosen
- Pros and cons of betting on the Young Player Award
- Tips for betting on the Young Player Award
- Conclusion – Lamine Yamal is looking to be a hot option
- Who will win the Young Player Award – FAQs
What is the World Cup 2026 Young Player Award
The World Cup Young Player Award is an accolade presented to the best player aged 21 years or under in the tournament. Breakout players showing exceptional technical abilities, creativity, style, skill, and sportsmanship are considered for the award.
To be considered for the award, players must be under the age of 21 on 1 January 2026. The FIFA World Cup Technical Study Group (TSG) decides who walks home with the prize at the end of the event. Typically, players whose teams advance further into the World Cup stand a better chance because they have more opportunities to prove their skills.
Betting on this award is just one of the ways to get in additional wagers, along with putting money on who will win the World Cup 2026, the Golden Boot, and the Golden Glove Awards.
Who will win the Young Player Award
It is exceptionally difficult to predict who will win the Young Player Award, since the outcome rides on so many factors, including how far into the tournament the player’s team advances. That doesn’t mean bookies haven’t pinpointed their favourites to win as part of their World Cup betting markets. Here are the top picks…
Lamine Yamal (18 yrs) – Spain
Expected to be punted as the favourite for the World Cup 2026 Young Player Award, Yamal is currently a player on the tip of the tongues of avid international football fans. His skill in outwitting defenders, creating chances, and composure are just some of the reasons why he is in the spotlight to win.
Warren Zaïre-Emery (20 yrs) – France
Another hot contender is France’s Warren Zaïre-Emery, who is earning a reputation for his calm, controlled handling of the midfielder position. Offering exceptional defense and solid ball control, he performs well under pressure, creating plenty of opportunities for France, a top contender in the tournament overall.
Pau Cubarsí (19 yrs) – Spain
Unlike many other contenders for this award, who are predominantly attackers, Cubarsí is a defender, a position that seldom picks up the Young Player accolade. But his ability to read the game, impressive composure, and consistency make him a strong contender. He may also be the player who helps Unai Simón scoop the World Cup 2026 Golden Glove Award.
Franco Mastantuono (18 yrs) – Argentina
Noted for his rare maturity on the pitch, Mastantuono is Argentina’s youngest official debutant. While he may be on the comeback from an injury (groin), he isn’t to be overlooked. Noted for creative dribbling and sharp skills across the frontline, Mastantuono stands a chance at the award.
Endrick (19 yrs) – Brazil
Not only a contender for the Young Player Award, but Brazil’s Endrick also stands a chance at claiming the World Cup 2026 Golden Boot accolade. While noted as being inconsistent across matches, he combines speed with outstanding striking skills and strong finishes that could make him a breakout player this tournament.
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Young Player Award odds
Top sports betting sites only release their odds for the World Cup 2026 Young Player Award just before the tournament kicks off. You’ll be able to find them under the World Cup outrights section of most bookmakers in the first week or so of June.
These odds will also shift as the tournament kicks off. Keeping a close eye on these allows you to track your bets and make adjustments if needed. For now, here are the approximate odds of the players we think stand a chance at the title:
| Contender | Country | Approximate Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Lamine Yamal | Spain | 2/1 – 3/1 | 3.00 – 4.00 | +200 – +300 |
| Warren Zaïre-Emery | France | 8/1 – 12/1 | 9.00 – 13.00 | +800 – +1200 |
| Pau Cubarsí | Spain | 12/1 – 18/1 | 13.00 – 19.00 | +1200 – +1800 |
| Franco Mastantuono | Argentina | 20/1 – 25/1 | 21.00 – 26.00 | +2000 – +2500 |
| Endrick | Brazil | 5/1 – 8/1 | 6.00 – 9.00 | +500 – +800 |
History of the Young Player Award
The Young Player Award has been part of the World Cup since 1958, but was later changed in 2006. Before 2006, the winner was often decided with a public polling system, but now the FIFA Technical Study Group has taken over the voting.
Past winners of the Young Player Award
Here are the historical winners of the award and where they’re from:
🏆2022 – Enzo Fernández (Argentina)
🏆2018 – Kylian Mbappé (France)
🏆2014 – Paul Pogba (France)
🏆2010 – Thomas Mȕller (Germany)
🏆2006 – Lukas Podolski (Germany)
How the winner of the World Cup 2026 Young Player Award is chosen
The FIFA Technical Study Group follows each match, live, in-person, and takes notes on player performance throughout the tournament. Here are some of the criteria they use to determine who will win the Young Player Award, and how it works.
⚽Outstanding skills and technique – one of the top criteria is the skills and technical abilities players demonstrate, particularly when they’re under pressure. Dribbling, ball control, pass accuracy, defensive, and scoring skills are all considered, along with whether they bring flair to these skills and how consistent they were throughout each match.
⚽Team impact – how these players work with their teams is also crucial. The TSG looks at how they shape the game and create advantages for other players. If the team can’t survive at the same level without that player, it says a lot about their impact in the game overall.
⚽Maturity on the pitch – immense pressure is part of playing in the FIFA World Cup. Players who demonstrate maturity, remain calm in high-stress moments, and stay consistent to help their team keep it together are usually shortlisted.
⚽Sportsmanship – players who are well-mannered on and off the pitch, and who can be highlighted as a role model, are often considered for the award. How they interact with other teams and players from their own team matters.
Pros and cons of betting on the Young Player Award
Betting on the World Cup 2026 Young Player Award is a great option. It gives you an additional way to bet and offers higher odds because of the challenge the market poses. This wager also gives you something to follow throughout the tournament, adding to the excitement. Here are the top pros and cons of wagering on the Young Player Award:
- Highly competitive odds
- Increased value based on difficulty
- Top market for those who enjoy a challenge
- Adjust your bet according to the match results
- Greater risk due to unpredictability
Tips for betting on the Young Player Award
If you’ve decided that betting on the Young Player Award is for you, here are a few top tips we recommend to get you started:
The more time a player has on the pitch, the greater their chances of being able to showcase their skills and land a spot on the shortlist.
Young players who consistently display a high level of skill match on match are more likely to catch the TSG’s attention.
Players who belong to teams that are strong contenders to win the World Cup usually have more chances at big moments and gaps to display their skill.
Since assists and goals are usually what draw attention, forwards and midfielders that are not afraid of possession are often hot contenders.
Never bet more than you can afford when backing your Young Player Award picks or any other FIFA World Cup markets. Make use of bonuses to stretch your budgeted funds further and place bets at safe, reputable bookies.
Conclusion – Lamine Yamal is looking to be a hot option
Betting on the World Cup 2026 Young Player Award is a great way to find value when betting on FIFA’s upcoming tournament. The unpredictable nature of this market means you have greater risk, but also greater rewards. Studying the players and their stats beforehand will give you a boost. Overall, this should be a fun bet option for many, especially with the fact that there are a lot of notable contenders you can choose from.
Lamine Yamal is looking like the favourite to win at this stage, as a regular starter with a creative style that opens up opportunities and a possessive nature that suits Spain’s own. To back Yamal, use one of our on-page banners to access the odds.
If you want to place a bet on Lamine Yamal, who is looking like the favourite to win at this stage, use one of our on-page banners to access the odds.
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Who will win the Young Player Award – FAQs
❓ Who chooses the winner of the Young Player Award?
The FIFA Technical Study Group chooses the winner, although before 2006, it was up to a public poll.
⚽ What criteria does the TSG use to choose the winner?
Factors like skills, technical ability, team contribution, sportsmanship, and maturity are considered.
🏆 Which country has the most Young Player winners?
France has the most winners, with Manuel Amoros, Paul Pogba, and Kylian Mbappé taking the title.
