Alongside the national pride, it's the players that make each World Cup special.
Let's check out the odds for the Golden Ball (tournament's best player), as well as what to know about the early favorites, as of July 8.
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FIFA Player of the Tournament Winner 2026 Kylian Mbappé, France: +165 (bet $10 to win $26.50 total) What to know: Mbappé finished second to Messi for the Golden Ball in 2022, but did win the Golden Boot in Qatar, after scoring eight goals in the tournament.
So far this World Cup, he has seven goals in five games, including a brace in France's win over Sweden in the Round of 32 and a converted penalty kick in the Round of 16 against Paraguay.
Lionel Messi, Argentina: +175 (bet $10 to win $27.50 total) What to know: In the history of the World Cup, the Golden Ball has been awarded 11 times and Messi is the only player who has won it twice: 2014 (Brazil) and 2022 (Qatar).
Messi has scored in every match so far this tournament, including in the Round of 32 win over Cape Verde and the Round of 16 comeback win over Egypt.
Erling Haaland, Norway: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total) What to know: Haaland has seven goals in five games this tournament, putting him in the race for the Golden Boot as well as the Golden Ball.
He scored twice in Norway's 2-1 upset of Brazil in the Round of 16.
Harry Kane, England: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total) What to know: England's superstar has six goals in five matches so far this tournament, including three crucial goals in two knockout stage matches so far.
Michael Olise, France: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total) What to know: He is starring alongside Mbappé for France in this edition of the World Cup, and he has five assists in four games, including two in France's win over Sweden in the Round of 32.
Jude Bellingham, England: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total) What to know: Bellingham has popped up out of nowhere, due to his brace against Mexico in the Round of 16, which helped push England to the quarterfinals.
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Sources: Fox Sports
