Adidas Reveals Fresh Trophies for 2026 World Cup Individual Awards

Adidas has pulled the wraps off a trio of brand-new trophies for the 2026 World Cup's most prestigious individual awards, giving a contemporary twist to the Golden Ball, Golden Boot, and Golden Glove. The German sportswear giant, FIFA's long-standing partner, confirmed the refresh ahead of the expanded 48-team tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The move signals a fresh chapter for the accolades, which have celebrated the planet's finest footballers since the 1982 World Cup.

A fresh look for football's finest

The newly designed trophies retain the iconic golden finish but feature sleeker, more dynamic lines compared to their predecessors. The Golden Ball, awarded to the tournament's best player, now boasts a bolder, more sculpted form that captures the energy of modern football. The Golden Boot, for the top goal-scorer, has a sharper silhouette that emphasises striking motion, while the Golden Glove—officially introduced in 1994—adopts a more ergonomic shape reflecting the agility of a goalkeeper. Adidas has not publicly detailed the materials or exact weight, but the redesign clearly aims to mirror the sport's evolution since the last major trophy revamp.

Why the overhaul matters

Individual awards often spark as much debate as the tournament itself—think of the controversy when Lionel Messi won the 2014 Golden Ball ahead of Thomas Müller, or when James Rodríguez claimed the 2014 Golden Boot with six goals. By updating the trophies ahead of 2026, Adidas and FIFA are signalling that these honours remain central to the World Cup narrative, especially with an expanded format that could produce unexpected heroes from lower-ranked sides. The previous versions had been in use since 2006 for the Golden Ball and Golden Boot, while the Golden Glove was last refreshed in 2010. A visual refresh also aligns with the broader branding push for the first 48-team World Cup, which will feature 104 matches across three nations.

What it means for 2026

The trophy reveal is a prelude to what promises to be a chaotic, enthralling tournament. With more teams and games, individual brilliance will be magnified—players like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, or an emerging star could etch their names into history. The new trophies will be lifted in the vast stadiums of North America, from the Azteca in Mexico City to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. But the real question is: who will get their hands on them first? For now, Adidas has given us a shiny new set of prizes to dream about. The 2026 World Cup may still be two years away, but the countdown to glory has begun.