World Cup 2026 Predictions – Winner, Golden Boot, Golden Glove &amp; MVP

France's talisman and reigning World Cup Golden Boot winner. Mbappé enters 2026 as the betting favourite for both the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament after a record-breaking Real Madrid season.

Erling Haaland

Norway

Generational number 9. Even with Norway considered an outside shot, every Golden Boot market lists Haaland in the top 3 thanks to his unmatched conversion rate.

Vinícius Jr

Brazil

Brazil's main creator. A World Cup MVP run is the natural next step after his Champions League heroics with Real Madrid.

Jude Bellingham

England's heartbeat. Bellingham is the consensus pick for Best Young Player and a serious dark horse for the Ballon d'Or-style MVP award.

Lamine Yamal

FWU-21

The teenager who lit up Euro 2024 is now the youngest serious contender for every individual award at the World Cup 2026.

Lionel Messi

The reigning champion captain. Even at 38, Messi remains Argentina's tactical centre of gravity and a sentimental MVP favourite.

Harry Kane

England's record goal-scorer enters 2026 hunting the one trophy that has eluded him. Kane is a perennial Golden Boot contender.

Phil Foden

Premier League Player of the Year. Foden's creativity makes him a top pick for Most Assists.

Pedri

Spain's metronome. Pedri's tempo control is what makes La Roja a tournament favourite again.

Rodri

Ballon d'Or 2024. Without Rodri, Spain doesn't function — making him a stealth pick for World Cup MVP.

Florian Wirtz

Germany

Germany's creative engine. Wirtz is the No. 1 European pick for Best Young Player.

Jamal Musiala

Germany

Bavaria-born magician. Musiala's dribbling makes him a constant Golden Boot threat.

Bukayo Saka

England's most reliable wide outlet. Saka's set-piece delivery puts him in the Most Assists conversation.

Cole Palmer

Chelsea's penalty cool-king. Palmer is England's secret weapon and a Young Player favourite.

Désiré Doué

PSG's emerging star. Doué is the latest French breakout pushing for Young Player honours.

Rodrygo

Brazil

Real Madrid's other Brazilian magic-maker — and a tournament X-factor.

Raphinha

Brazil

Barcelona's captain reinvented his career — and is now Brazil's most in-form winger.

Lautaro Martínez

Argentina's penalty-box predator who broke through at Copa América 2024.

JÁ

Julián Álvarez

World Cup winner already. Álvarez is the perfect dual-9 with Messi behind him.

Christian Pulisic

USA

Co-host hero. Pulisic is the face of USMNT for a home World Cup.

Antoine Griezmann

France's selfless No. 7. Griezmann's vision keeps him in any Most Assists market.

Achraf Hakimi

Morocco

Morocco's full-back king who carried the Atlas Lions to a 2022 semi-final.

Virgil van Dijk

Netherlands

Captain and benchmark for elite centre-backs. A 2026 farewell-tour MVP shout.

Rúben Dias

Portugal

Pep's defensive cornerstone. Dias is the modern blueprint at centre-back.

William Saliba

France's calmest defender. Saliba's emergence shifts Les Bleus' ceiling.

Antonio Rüdiger

Germany

Germany's mentality monster — the leader of Nagelsmann's back line.

Thibaut Courtois

Belgium

The world's best big-game goalkeeper, back from injury just in time.

Emiliano Martínez

Reigning Golden Glove. Dibu's penalty record makes him every knockout-round favourite.

Gianluigi Donnarumma

Italy

If Italy qualifies via play-off, Donnarumma immediately becomes the Glove favourite.

Unai Simón

Spain's modern sweeper-keeper. Simón is integral to La Roja's high line.