The 2026 World Cup promises to be one of the most entertaining editions in the tournament’s rich history. A whole host of talented players are set to take centre stage this summer, but only one will earn themselves the Golden Ball award in July.
With the prize awarded to the best player at every World Cup since 1982, several stars look poised to succeed Lionel Messi in North America. Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Lamine Yamal are all ranked by sportsbooks as the top contenders, while Messi is in contention to win the prize for a record-setting third time.
However, the World Cup always throws up a surprise, and it could well be another individual not currently seen as a favourite who eventually claims the Golden Ball. These three dark horses have all been listed as outsiders for the prize, yet each of them could play a starring role for their respective nations this summer.
Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United fans will tell you that Bruno Fernandes continues to age like a fine wine, and it’s hard not to agree with them. The Red Devils’ talisman broke the Premier League assist record in 2025/26, earning the division’s Player of the Season award, and is poised to carry that form into the World Cup with Portugal.
Fernandes will play a key role for Roberto Martínez’s team, acting as the conductor behind Cristiano Ronaldo while feeding the likes of João Félix, Rafael Leão, and Pedro Neto. If he continues to create chances and score goals, Portugal should make a deep run in the tournament, meaning that it will be impossible to ignore him when it comes to individual honours.
Currently, Fernandes is listed at 16/1 to win the Golden Ball award. His importance to Portugal and his form make him a value pick and, with Goal.com listing several sportsbooks offering UK free bets, multiple bettors might be tempted to back him to win the prize.
Ousmane Dembélé
France’s wealth of attacking talent means that, aside from potentially Kylian Mbappé, Didier Deschamps will rotate his options and make changes that will impact Ousmane Dembélé’s playing time. Nevertheless, the Paris Saint-Germain winger is currently priced at 25/1 to win the Golden Ball award, which feels far too low for the Ballon d’Or winner.
Dembélé has played fewer minutes this year, which has impacted his overall numbers for goals and assists, but he remains a dangerous threat, highlighted by his goals against Bayern Munich. Yes, he might be forced out to the right flank for France at the World Cup, but that will allow him to showcase his creativity and direct threat.
He will likely interchange with Michael Olise too, allowing him to operate out wide and centrally. If he can show how dangerous he can be across multiple positions, that will benefit him in his pursuit of the Golden Ball.
Jamal Musiala
Jamal Musiala might have spent a substantial amount of the 2025/26 season sidelined due to injury, but the 23-year-old returned to full fitness just in time for the World Cup. Slowly reintroduced into the Bayern Munich side, he finished the season with five goals and six assists, averaging a goal contribution every 106 minutes.
While these are not the numbers Bayern and Germany fans have become accustomed to, the stage is set for Musiala to step things up at the World Cup. He has not played for Die Mannschaft since March 2025, but Julian Nagelsmann likely had no qualms in recalling one of his most talented players this summer.
Will he play every minute? Probably not. But he could hold the keys to Germany making a run to the latter stages of the tournament. Should that happen, then Musiala’s odds of 50/1 to win the Golden Ball award will shorten dramatically.