The FIFA Young Player Award goes to the best young player at each World Cup. In 2026, Pau Cubarsí of Spain won it at just 19, after playing all eight of Spain’s matches on the way to the world title. Below is the full list of World Cup Best Young Player winners from 1958 to 2026, the eligibility rules and the key records.
Who Won the 2026 World Cup Young Player Award?
Spain centre-back Pau Cubarsí won the 2026 FIFA Young Player Award. He made eight appearances and played 750 minutes as Spain beat Argentina 1–0 after extra time in the final. He is the first Spanish player to win the award.
Full List of World Cup Best Young Player Winners (1958–2026)
The award was first given in 2006. FIFA later named winners for the tournaments from 1958 to 2002, so the list goes back to Pelé.
| Year | Player | Country | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Pau Cubarsí | Spain | USA, Mexico, Canada |
| 2022 | Enzo Fernández | Argentina | Qatar |
| 2018 | Kylian Mbappé | France | Russia |
| 2014 | Paul Pogba | France | Brazil |
| 2010 | Thomas Müller | Germany | South Africa |
| 2006 | Lukas Podolski | Germany | Germany |
| 2002 | Landon Donovan | USA | South Korea & Japan |
| 1998 | Michael Owen | England | France |
| 1994 | Marc Overmars | Netherlands | USA |
| 1990 | Robert Prosinečki | Yugoslavia | Italy |
| 1986 | Enzo Scifo | Belgium | Mexico |
| 1982 | Manuel Amoros | France | Spain |
| 1978 | Antonio Cabrini | Italy | Argentina |
| 1974 | Władysław Żmuda | Poland | West Germany |
| 1970 | Teófilo Cubillas | Peru | Mexico |
| 1966 | Franz Beckenbauer | West Germany | England |
| 1962 | Flórián Albert | Hungary | Chile |
| 1958 | Pelé | Brazil | Sweden |
Who Is Eligible for the Young Player Award?
- Players must be 21 or younger on 1 January of the World Cup year.
- FIFA’s Technical Study Group chooses the winner.
- The award is based on performance across the whole tournament, not goals alone.
Young Player Award Records
- Most wins by a country: France and Germany (3 each, including West Germany).
- Won the award and the World Cup: Pelé (1958), Mbappé (2018), Enzo Fernández (2022) and Cubarsí (2026).
- Later won the Golden Ball or Golden Boot: Thomas Müller won the Golden Boot in 2010, the same year he won the Young Player Award.
- Youngest winner: Pelé, aged 17 in 1958.
See also our lists of Golden Ball winners, Golden Boot winners and Golden Glove winners.
FAQs
Who won the Best Young Player at the 2026 World Cup?
Pau Cubarsí of Spain won the 2026 FIFA Young Player Award at age 19.
Who won the Young Player Award in 2022?
Enzo Fernández of Argentina won it at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
What is the age limit for the World Cup Young Player Award?
Players must be 21 or younger at the start of the calendar year in which the World Cup is played.
