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Forecasting—or wagering on—who will lift the 2026 World Cup trophy or claim the Golden Boot is no simple feat.
Arguably even more challenging, though, is attempting to predict the winner of the Golden Ball, presented to the tournament's standout performer.
The World Cup has a tendency to surprise. Form can quickly become irrelevant, dark horses emerge unexpectedly, and some of football's biggest names struggle to meet expectations. Because of this, predicting who will be crowned Player of the Tournament is far from a straightforward exercise.
That said, if you're looking to place a bet on the award, we've got you covered using odds from DraftKings. Who's your pick?
11. Vitinha (Portugal)
DraftKings Odds: +2000
Vitinha has been central to Paris Saint-Germain's transformation from chronic European underperformers into consecutive Champions League champions.
He was equally vital in Portugal's 2025 UEFA Nations League victory and will certainly be a pivotal figure if his nation is to mount a serious challenge at this summer's World Cup.
10. Raphinha (Brazil)
DraftKings Odds: +2000
Raphinha heads into the World Cup following yet another outstanding campaign with Barcelona, netting 21 goals as he helped the club clinch a second straight La Liga crown.
However, persistent hamstring problems have curtailed his involvement with Brazil of late, meaning he may require time to find his best form on the international stage.
9. Declan Rice (England)
DraftKings Odds: +2000
The midfield powerhouse who helped propel Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years, Declan Rice will be counted on to deliver a similarly commanding performance for England this summer as the Three Lions chase a second World Cup triumph after a 60-year drought.
8. Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)
DraftKings Odds: +1800
Very few players arrive at the World Cup in sharper form than Bruno Fernandes.
The Manchester United skipper was not only crowned Premier League Player of the Season, but also shattered the record for most assists in a single campaign with 21—making him a genuine contender for the Golden Ball this summer.
7. Vinícius Júnior (Brazil)
DraftKings Odds: +1600
Doubts persist over Vinícius Júnior's capacity to replicate his Real Madrid club form at international level, with just nine goals in 49 appearances and only one at a World Cup to his name.
Nevertheless, he has plenty to prove this year following recent scrutiny of his Brazil displays, and there's a real possibility he could step up when it matters most.
6. Pedri (Spain)
DraftKings Odds: +1400
Widely regarded as the finest central midfielder in world football, Pedri is the heartbeat of Spain's system, with his capacity to control tempo, thrive in congested areas, and deliver precise passes forming the backbone of La Roja's possession-based approach.
Should the reigning European champions be crowned world champions, Pedri will almost certainly be among their most influential players.
5. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
DraftKings Odds: +1200
Lionel Messi remains the only player in World Cup history to have won the Golden Ball on two occasions—first in 2014, when Argentina were runners-up, and again in 2022, when they went on to claim the title.
Now in the final chapter of his career, writing him off from winning a third would still be a risky move.
4. Kylian Mbappé (France)
DraftKings Odds: +900
Tipped as the frontrunner for the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot, Kylian Mbappé could equally find himself in contention for the Golden Ball, as the two accolades have often been awarded to the same player.
3. Michael Olise (France)
DraftKings Odds: +900
Michael Olise has a strong case for being among the best players in the world right now, having wrapped up his Bayern Munich season with 22 goals and a remarkable 31 assists across all competitions.
A hat-trick for France in their final World Cup warm-up fixture against Northern Ireland suggests he may be primed to carry that brilliance onto the grandest stage of all.
2. Lamine Yamal (Spain)
DraftKings Odds: +800
Lamine Yamal was awarded Young Player of the Tournament as Spain claimed Euro 2024, and his meteoric rise has shown no signs of slowing, with 42 goals across the past two seasons while helping Barcelona to consecutive La Liga titles.
However, a hamstring concern has raised questions about his availability, with fears he could be sidelined for Spain's opening group game against Cabo Verde.
1. Harry Kane (England)
DraftKings Odds: +800
Sixty-one—that's the number of goals Harry Kane netted for Bayern Munich in 2025–26.
In the finest form of his career, there's little question he'll be among the goals again this summer. If he can sustain anything approaching that scoring rate in Germany, a Golden Ball could well find its way into his collection.
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Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has contributed to The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of sitting down with some of the most prominent figures in global sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and many more.