Controversy Surrounds World Cup 2026 Best Player Awards Amid Questions on Selection Process

The process of selecting the "Best Player" at the 2026 World Cup has become a subject of controversy rather than passing quietly.

Prominent names frequently appear on the award podiums even without scoring goals, prompting fans and national teams to question who truly decides the best player and what occurs behind the scenes of the tournament's most debated accolade.

According to the Spanish newspaper AS, the recurring scenario includes Lamine Yamal receiving the Best Player award against Austria despite not scoring and only participating in part of the match, while Oyarzabal scored twice but left without recognition.

Similarly, Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded Best Player against Croatia after limited playtime, leading the Croatian team to formally protest what they called an "incomprehensible decision."

Statistics reveal a notable pattern: Vinicius Junior earned the award in three out of four matches, Lionel Messi in two of three, and Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Cristiano Ronaldo each in two of four matches. Lamine Yamal, the least awarded among them, received it once in four matches despite not scoring.

The controversy does not stem solely from FIFA's technical committee, chaired by Arsène Wenger and comprising former players tasked with monitoring and evaluating all tournament matches, but also relates to the nature of the award itself.

The award is sponsored by a global beverage company and is typically presented by an influencer or celebrity. This commercial connection has fueled speculation, with the newspaper noting multiple voices suggesting the sponsor may have an interest in featuring the world's biggest stars holding their award, given their immense marketing value and worldwide exposure, potentially at the expense of less famous players who might have had greater impact on the field.

While the World Cup continues to demonstrate high sporting quality through its star players' performances, the series of awards given to them remains under scrutiny. Decisions described as "strange" and "hard to explain" have sparked widespread debate recently, placing the criteria for selecting the Best Player under a microscope of doubt.