The race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball will be decided after Sunday’s final between Spain and Argentina, with several players staking strong claims to be named the tournament’s best performer.

While lifting the World Cup remains the ultimate prize, the Golden Ball is awarded to the player judged to have made the biggest impact throughout the competition.

Lionel Messi appears to be the frontrunner, but Spain’s Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal could strengthen their cases with standout performances in the final. France’s Kylian Mbappe and England’s Jude Bellingham also remain among the leading contenders despite their teams falling short of the title match.

Here are the five players leading the race.

5. Lamine Yamal (Spain)