Newly crowned FIFA World Cup champions Spain capped off a remarkable tournament by collecting four of the competition’s five major individual awards following their 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sunday’s final.

Spain midfielder Rodri was named the winner of the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player after leading his side to a second World Cup title. The experienced midfielder produced a series of commanding performances throughout the tournament, controlling matches with his vision, passing and leadership.

France captain Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot after finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer with 10 goals. The award marked the second time Mbappé has claimed the World Cup’s top scorer prize, further cementing his status as one of the game’s leading forwards.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón received the Golden Glove after an outstanding tournament in which Spain conceded just one goal. His consistent performances and crucial saves played a key role in his country’s title-winning campaign.

Nineteen-year-old Spain defender Pau Cubarsí was named Best Young Player after emerging as one of the stars of the tournament. The young centre-back impressed with his composure and maturity, helping Spain record one of the best defensive records in the competition.

Spain’s dominance in the individual honours reflected the team’s outstanding performances throughout the month-long tournament, with four of the five major awards going to members of the world champions.

2026 FIFA World Cup major award winners

• Golden Ball (Best Player): Rodri (Spain)
• Golden Boot (Top Scorer): Kylian Mbappé (France) – 10 goals
• Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper): Unai Simón (Spain)
• Best Young Player: Pau Cubarsí (Spain)

Everything is on the line as Argentina and Spain prepare to meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in just a few hours, with the winners set to lift football’s most prestigious trophy, earn a record financial reward and secure their place in sporting history.

Record prize money

For the first time, the FIFA World Cup champions will receive $50 million in prize money, the biggest payout ever awarded to the winners of the tournament.

The runners-up will take home $33 million, meaning there is a $17 million difference between winning and losing the final.

The 2026 World Cup features a record $655 million in performance-based prize money, with every one of the 48 participating nations also receiving $1.5 million to help cover tournament preparation costs.

More than just money

While the financial rewards are significant, both teams have their sights set on lifting the iconic FIFA World Cup trophy.

Argentina is chasing a fourth World Cup title, having previously triumphed in 1978, 1986 and 2022. Victory would see Lionel Messi add another World Cup winner’s medal to an already remarkable career and cement Argentina’s status among football’s greatest nations.

Spain, meanwhile, is aiming for its second World Cup crown after winning the tournament for the first time in 2010. A victory would confirm Spain’s return to the summit of world football.

Individual honours still up for grabs

Several prestigious individual awards will also be decided after the final whistle.

Golden Boot – Awarded to the tournament’s leading goalscorer. France’s Kylian Mbappé currently leads with 10 goals, while Argentina captain Lionel Messi has eight and still has a chance to catch him in the final.

Golden Ball – Presented to the tournament’s best overall player. Messi is among the favourites, although several Spanish stars remain in contention depending on the outcome of the final.

Golden Glove – Awarded to the tournament’s outstanding goalkeeper, recognising the best performances between the posts throughout the competition.

Best Young Player Award – Presented to the standout player aged 21 or younger who has impressed during the tournament.

FIFA Fair Play Award – Awarded to the team with the best disciplinary record while demonstrating respect for opponents, referees and the spirit of the game.

A place in football history

Beyond the trophies and prize money, tonight’s winners will earn something priceless – a permanent place in football history.

For Argentina, victory would mean back-to-back World Cup triumphs and another chapter in the nation’s rich football legacy.

For Spain, it would mark a return to the top of the global game and a second world title.

When the final whistle sounds, one team will walk away with $50 million, the FIFA World Cup trophy, and the honour of being crowned the 2026 FIFA World Cup champions.

Football fans across Afghanistan won’t want to miss a moment of the action as Argentina and Spain battle for the biggest prize in world football. The 2026 FIFA World Cup final preview show starts at 10:00pm Kabul time live and exclusively on Ariana Television. The match kicks off at 11.30pm.

From the pre-match build-up and team line-ups to the trophy presentation and celebrations, viewers can catch every moment of what promises to be an unforgettable night of football. Tune in to Ariana Television and be part of the excitement as the world crowns its new champions.

Lionel Messi will have more than the FIFA World Cup trophy on his mind when Argentina takes on Spain in tonight’s final, with the Argentina captain also chasing the tournament’s Golden Boot after Kylian Mbappé surged to the top of the scoring charts.

Mbappé moved into the lead on Saturday by scoring twice in France’s thrilling 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place playoff. The two goals took the French striker’s tournament tally to 10 goals, putting him two clear of Messi, who has eight heading into the final.

The result means Messi now faces a difficult task if he is to reclaim the award for the tournament’s top scorer.

To draw level with Mbappé, Messi must score twice against Spain. If both players finish on 10 goals, FIFA’s tiebreakers would come into play. With both players currently credited with four assists, the Golden Boot would then be decided by the player who achieved the tally in fewer minutes on the pitch. Messi is believed to hold the advantage in that category.

To win the Golden Boot outright without relying on tiebreakers, Messi would need to score a hat-trick, finishing the tournament with 11 goals.

Despite the challenge, few would rule out the Argentina captain. The 39-year-old has once again delivered on football’s biggest stage, producing decisive performances throughout the tournament to lead the defending champions back to another World Cup final.

While individual honours are at stake, Messi has repeatedly said his focus remains on helping Argentina retain the World Cup. Victory over Spain would secure a fourth world title for Argentina and further cement Messi’s legacy as one of the greatest players in football history.

Mbappé, meanwhile, can only watch and wait after France’s campaign ended in the third-place playoff. His 10-goal haul has set a formidable benchmark, but with one match still to be played, the Golden Boot race remains alive.

Tonight’s final will determine not only the world champions but also whether Messi can produce one last remarkable performance to add another individual honour to his glittering career.