Who Won FIFA Young Player Award at the 2026 World Cup?

Last updated: Jul 20, 2026

Spain defender Pau Cubarsí has won the FIFA Young Player Award at the 2026 World Cup, the official prize for the tournament’s top performer under 21.

The 19-year-old Barcelona centre-back was confirmed as the winner after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the final at MetLife Stadium near New York/New Jersey on 19 July.

The award is presented in partnership with Aramco to the best player born on or after 1 January 2005, as chosen by FIFA’s Technical Study Group. Cubarsí collected it days after anchoring a Spain defence that conceded only once across eight matches, the fewest goals allowed by any World Cup-winning side.

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Why Cubarsí’s win stands out

A defender winning the award is rare. In fact, no defender had ever won it before Cubarsí.

The prize has been handed out since 2006, and every previous winner — Lukas Podolski, Thomas Müller, Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappé and Enzo Fernández — was an attacker or midfielder, according to FIFA’s own list of past winners.

Cubarsí played every minute of Spain’s run to the title. He helped stifle Lionel Messi and Argentina’s attack in the final while also contributing at the other end of the pitch with chances created from deep.

Club form: A graduate of Barcelona’s La Masia academy, Cubarsí has helped the club win back-to-back La Liga titles and has already made more than 125 senior appearances.
International pedigree: He was part of Spain’s squad that won gold at the 2024 Olympics and had earned 11 senior caps for Spain by the spring of 2026, having made his international debut in March 2024.
Tournament record: He started all of Spain’s matches at the 2026 World Cup as the team went unbeaten, extending Spain’s run without a loss in all competitions to 38 games.

Where to catch Cubarsí and Spain next

Cubarsí returns to club football with Barcelona once the new La Liga season gets underway. Fans planning a trip can check flights to Barcelona and hotels in Barcelona to catch him at Camp Nou.

Rodri plays his club football in Manchester, Unai Simón turns out for Athletic Club in Bilbao, and Mbappé now plays for Real Madrid in the Spanish capital. Argentina’s squad, including Messi, will regroup in Buenos Aires before their next international window.

Use the Wego flight tracker to keep an eye on schedules if you’re planning to follow any of these players or teams in the months ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the FIFA Young Player Award the same as the Golden Boy award?

No. The FIFA Young Player Award is a World Cup prize decided by FIFA’s Technical Study Group. The Golden Boy is a separate, unrelated annual award from Italian outlet Tuttosport for the best European-based under-21 player in club football.

Who else was in contention for the award?

Barcelona teammate Lamine Yamal was widely seen as the leading contender through the knockout rounds. Other players FIFA highlighted during the tournament included France’s Désiré Doué and England’s Nico O’Reilly.

Has a defender won the award before?

No. The award has been handed out since 2006, and Cubarsí is the first defender ever to win it.

Sources

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