Pau Cubarsí Best Young Player World Cup 2026: Spain's Teenage Defender
Updated 19 July 2026 — Cubarsí named Best Young Player after Spain win the World Cup.
Pau Cubarsí won the Best Young Player award at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Barcelona centre-back beat teammate Lamine Yamal to the honour after starting regularly for champions Spain, helping build a defence that conceded just one goal all tournament.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Award | Best Young Player |
| Player | Pau Cubarsí |
| Club | Barcelona |
| Nation | 🇪🇸 Spain |
| Age | Teen centre-back (born 2007) |
| Tournament | Spain champions — 1 goal conceded |
Awards: World Cup 2026 awards · Spain path: Spain results.
Why Cubarsí Beat Yamal
Yamal entered as the more famous young star — Euro 2024 hero, Barcelona No.10, global brand. FIFA instead rewarded Cubarsí's full-tournament defensive reliability:
- Started alongside Aymeric Laporte through the knockout rounds
- Helped Spain keep seven clean sheets with Unai Simón
- Matched up against Messi, Mbappé and other elite attackers
- Involved in the late foul that led to Enzo Fernández's second yellow (90+3') in the final
Yamal still contributed creatively on the right; Cubarsí's award reflects minutes, maturity and a title-winning back line.
Yamal profile: Lamine Yamal World Cup 2026.
Role in the Final
In the Spain 1–0 Argentina final, Cubarsí and Laporte limited Messi's influence in open play. Spain controlled midfield through Rodri; Cubarsí's reading of through balls and aerial duels helped protect Simón's clean sheet across 120 minutes.
When Enzo Fernández was sent off for a foul on Cubarsí in stoppage time, Argentina played extra time with 10 men — the platform for Ferran Torres' 106' winner.
Young Player Award — Recent Context
The Best Young Player award recognises the outstanding performer aged 21 or under (FIFA criteria for the edition). Cubarsí joins a lineage of breakout defenders and attackers who used a World Cup to announce themselves globally.
Spain's 2026 youth core — Cubarsí, Yamal, and others — now owns a World Cup winners' medal before many peers have played a knockout match.
Spain's Defensive Numbers
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Goals conceded | 1 in 8 matches |
| Clean sheets (Simón) | 7 |
| Champion | Spain |
| Young Player | Cubarsí |
| Golden Glove | Unai Simón |
| Golden Ball | Rodri |
Hub: World Cup 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Best Young Player at World Cup 2026?
Pau Cubarsí (Spain).
Did Lamine Yamal win Best Young Player 2026?
No — Cubarsí won the award ahead of Yamal.
How old is Pau Cubarsí?
Born 2007 — still a teenager during World Cup 2026.
What club does Cubarsí play for?
Barcelona — centre-back in the first team.
Quem ganhou o prêmio de melhor jovem da Copa 2026?
Pau Cubarsí, zagueiro da Espanha e do Barcelona.
Was Cubarsí involved in Enzo's red card?
Yes — Enzo Fernández's second yellow at 90+3' in the final came from a foul on Cubarsí.