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With the 2026 World Cup now concluded, the Player of the Tournament award has been awarded to Spanish midfielder Rodri.
Lionel Messi was previously leading the betting market ahead of Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal, but Rodri swooped in to claim the award in the latest odds.
With the race for the Golden Ball now concluded, this article reviews the Golden Ball odds from Bet365, Ladbrokes, William Hill and Betfred, with the latest odds from the best World Cup betting sites.
It is important to note that the Golden Ball favourite award is separate from the Golden Boot, which recognises the competition’s top goalscorer.
This award rewards the player judged to have made the greatest overall impact throughout the tournament.
Latest World Cup 2026 Golden Ball winner odds
Odds correct as of 9:00, 20/07/2026. Odds subject to change. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org.
Who are the favourites to win the World Cup Golden Ball?
Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe has strengthened his case to win a first World Cup Golden Ball after spearheading France’s charge to the latter stages of the tournament.
The French captain has scored 10 goals, going two goals above Messi in the Golden Boot race, while continuing to produce decisive performances on the biggest stage.
Mbappe also became France’s all-time leading goalscorer and has moved into first place, surpassing Messi on the World Cup’s all-time scoring list.
The Real Madrid star continued by adding to his knockout goal tally, now having a remarkable record of 14 goals in 13 World Cup knockout matches, the best in the competition’s history.
However, he failed to reach the World Cup final following France’s semi final defeat to Spain and also lost the third-place game to England.
Despite the disappointment, he scored two goals against the Three Lions to top Messi as the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals.
With his remarkable record at the World Cup, he was one of the favourites to win the Golden Ball, but lost out to Rodri and only won the Golden Boot.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi has emerged as one of the leading contenders to win a record third World Cup Golden Ball after another outstanding tournament for the defending champions.
Messi made history with a hat-trick against Algeria to draw level with Miroslav Klose as the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer before surpassing the German with a brace against Austria.
He has since added further goals against Jordan, Cape Verde and Egypt, taking his overall World Cup tally to 21, with one goal behind Mbappe.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also continued to influence Argentina’s play, extending his assist record to 12 after providing two assists to send Argentina to the final.
However, he was not at his best in the final against Spain, with Argentina failing to defend their World Cup title. This saw him lose the Player of the Tournament award to Rodri.
18+. New customers only. Min 1st dep £10. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Bet £1 single on England to win the World Cup (€1 Max/Min). Prior to the final at 66/1 for 13x £5 Free Bets (valid 4 days). Original price 2/1. Stake & winnings returned at original odds as cash on settlement. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.
Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal has emerged as one of Spain’s important players despite having his minutes carefully managed throughout the tournament.
The Barcelona star has consistently transformed games with his creativity, dribbling and attacking threat, producing standout displays after coming off the bench before scoring against Saudi Arabia and inspiring Spain’s progress through the knockout stages.
Yamal has also made history by becoming the youngest player to record 10+ touches in the opposition box and complete 10+ dribbles at a World Cup, underlining his extraordinary talent.
Spain defeated Belgium in the quarterfinals and 2022 World Cup finalist France in the semifinals, with Yamal playing a key role by winning a penalty for his team as they qualified for the final.
However, despite having a good game in the final against Argentina, the youngster lost the Player of the Tournament award to his teammate Rodri.
Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham has been at the heart of England’s World Cup campaign, establishing himself as a genuine Golden Ball contender.
The Real Madrid star became the only England player in history to have scored seven goals at a single World Cup or UEFA European Championship tournament.
He scored a decisive brace against Mexico in the Round of 16 and against Norway in the quarter final, sending the Three Lions to the semi final.
However, his performance against Messi’s Argentina was not enough to send England to the final, having lost to the Albiceleste.
Despite failing to lead his team to the World Cup final, he helped his country secure third place by defeating France and coming on as a substitute to score the game’s final goal.
Bellingham remains one of England’s top players, but his performances at the World Cup were not enough to win him the Golden Ball award.
Golden Ball winner
Messi was the front runner to win the Golden Ball award after a spectacular performance at the World Cup saw Argentina through to the final at age 39.
However, a sudden turnaround happened in the race for the Player of the Tournament award, which saw Rodri swoop in out of the blue to claim the award.
The Spanish midfielder was not in the conversation at the start of the competition, with the likes of Mbappe, Bellingham, Messi and a few others tipped as favourites.
Despite having favourable odds, Rodri, who had just one man-of-the-match award and did not score a goal or assist in the competition, was handed the Golden Ball, beating the favourites tipped to win it initially.
World Cup Player of the Tournament prediction/betting tip
Our pick: Rodri
Best odds: 10
Team: Spain
Why he appeals:
- Rodri is the main man for Spain in the tournament, and his presence in midfield is a major advantage.
- The Spanish midfielder is likely to play every major game as he aims to lead the team to their second World Cup trophy.
- Rodri has been Spain’s anchor in midfield, helping them defensively and offensively, especially against France and Argentina in the final.
- He played a role in the defensive solidity, with the team keeping seven clean sheets at the tournament.
Main risk: Team elimination and price too short
How does World Cup Player of the Tournament betting work?
It is separate from the Golden Boot, which recognises the top goalscorer, with the Golden Ball rewarding all-round performances rather than goals alone.
When betting on this market, you are backing the player you believe will be named the tournament’s best performer.
Goals can strengthen a player’s case, but assists, influence, knockout-stage displays, and team progression are often just as important.
As settlement rules vary between bookmakers, it is always worth checking the new betting sites before placing a bet.
What matters when betting on World Cup Golden Ball odds?
Key factors:
- Team progression: The winner of the Golden Ball usually comes from teams that reach the final or at least the latter stages.
- Standout status: A player must play a major role in his team’s run in the competition.
- Goals and assists: The player must have direct output that matters, even for a midfielder.
- Knockout impact: A player who scored the decisive goals or assists in the quarter-finals, semi-finals or final can cause the award to swing in their favour.
- Teammate competition: Two star players from the same team can split attention and affect your decision.
- Position: Forwards and attacking midfielders are usually easier for voters and media to recognise, but deeper midfielders can contend if they dominate.
- Market availability: Also note that not every bookmaker will have the World Cup Golden Ball option.
FAQs
Who is the favourite to win the 2026 World Cup Golden Ball?
Lionel Messi was the favourite to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup Player of the Tournament award, also known as the Golden Ball. However, Rodri won the award, which changed the odds after a series of good performances and team progress.
Who are the main contenders for the World Cup Player of the Tournament award?
Rodri, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Lamine Yamal were among the leading challengers.
Is the Golden Ball the same as the Golden Boot?
No. The Golden Ball is awarded to the best overall player at the World Cup, while the Golden Boot goes to the tournament’s top goalscorer.
Which bookmakers offer World Cup Golden Ball odds?
Major sportsbooks, including bet365, BetMGM, Ladbrokes, William Hill and Betfred, all offer odds on the Player of the Tournament market.
How often are the World Cup Player of the Tournament odds updated?
Golden Ball odds are updated throughout the tournament, often after every matchday or major performance. As players and teams progress through the knockout stages, bookmakers regularly adjust their odds to reflect the latest developments.
Stephen is a sports journalist specializing in football, delivering match previews, betting insights, and tactical analysis from competitions around the world.
He combines in-depth research with a sharp eye for detail to produce clear, engaging content that helps readers stay informed on the biggest games, emerging trends, and key talking points across the sport.