The Best Young Player Award is one of the clearest ways to track the next generation of World Cup stars. It usually catches players at the moment when promise turns into global-level authority.
This history guide covers what the award is, every winner so far, the biggest records on the list and the names most likely to matter in 2026.
Quick Answer
Germany and France share the lead in the men's history with two winners each. The latest winner is Enzo Fernandez, who took the award for Argentina in Qatar 2022.
What Is the Best Young Player Award
FIFA's own award history says the prize goes to the best player in the tournament who is at most 21 years old, with fans voting through FIFA's official platforms. That gives the award a different feel from the Golden Ball, which is about the best player overall regardless of age.
The exact 2026 eligibility wording is still yet to be confirmed, but the modern history of the award is already clear enough to show what FIFA usually values: real minutes, big-match influence and immediate tournament impact.
All-Time Best Young Player Winners
| Year | Tournament | Winner | Country | Goals or Stat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Germany | Lukas Podolski | Germany | 3 goals |
| 2010 | South Africa | Thomas Muller | Germany | 5 goals |
| 2014 | Brazil | Paul Pogba | France | Knockout-stage midfield leader |
| 2018 | Russia | Kylian Mbappe | France | 4 goals, world champion |
| 2022 | Qatar | Enzo Fernandez | Argentina | 7 appearances, 1 goal |
Records and Notable Facts
Most wins by one player
No player has won the men's Best Young Player Award twice, which is exactly what you would expect from an age-limited honour. Every winner effectively gets one shot at the prize.
That makes the list more about eras than repeat dominance.
Youngest and oldest winners
Among the official men's winners, Kylian Mbappe stands out as the youngest winner, while Enzo Fernandez was one of the oldest age-eligible winners when he took the prize in 2022. That is an inference from the official winners list and the players' tournament ages.
The pattern shows the award can go either to an explosive teenager or to a more mature 21-year-old already running games at senior level.
Countries with most wins
Germany and France have the strongest history with two winners each. Germany has Podolski and Muller, while France has Pogba and Mbappe.
Argentina joined the honours list in 2022 through Enzo Fernandez, which matters because it shows the award is no longer limited to Europe-heavy histories.
World Cup 2026 Contenders
Lamine Yamal is the clearest early front-runner if FIFA keeps the recent age-based eligibility model. Desire Doue also belongs near the top after UEFA named him the 2024/25 Champions League Young Player of the Season, while Joao Neves and Estevao sit close enough to matter if their teams give them big roles.
The final shortlist will become clearer only when FIFA publishes the 2026 tournament regulations and age cutoff.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is FIFA's prize for the best eligible young player at the tournament.
Enzo Fernandez won the men's award for Argentina in 2022.
Germany and France lead the men's list with two winners each.
Lamine Yamal and Desire Doue are among the strongest early names if FIFA keeps the recent age-based rules.
Conclusion
The Best Young Player winners list is short, but it already reads like a preview of football's next generation. Many of the winners used the World Cup as the stage that changed how they were seen forever.
That is why the 2026 version matters. The next name on the list will almost certainly leave the tournament with a completely different reputation.