The Ballon d’Or organisers have named the Kopa Trophy 2026 nominees: 10 players competing for the award for the world’s best player under 21. The winner will be named at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on 26 October.
At the centre of the race is Lamine Yamal, who is chasing something no player has ever done: a third Kopa Trophy in a row.
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The full list of Kopa Trophy 2026 nominees
| Player | Country | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Lamine Yamal | Spain | Barcelona |
| Pau Cubarsí | Spain | Barcelona |
| Yan Diomandé | Ivory Coast | Real Madrid |
| Ayyoub Bouaddi | Morocco | Manchester City |
| Warren Zaïre-Emery | France | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Éli Junior Kroupi | France | Bournemouth |
| Lennart Karl | Germany | Bayern Munich |
| Ibrahim Maza | Algeria | Bayer Leverkusen |
| Johan Manzambi | Switzerland | Aston Villa |
| Kerim Alajbegović | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Juventus |
Yamal’s bid for history
Since the award began in 2018, no one has won it more than twice. Yamal won in 2024 and 2025, becoming the first player to retain it.
His case for a third is strong. He scored 24 goals and made 18 assists in 45 games for Barcelona in 2025-26, and he was La Liga’s top assist provider as Barcelona won the title. He then helped Spain win the World Cup, starting in the 1-0 final win over Argentina.
The Barcelona teammate in his way
His biggest rival may be a clubmate. Pau Cubarsí, nominated for the third year running after finishing seventh in 2025, won the FIFA Young Player Award at the World Cup.
The centre-back was a key part of a Spain defence that conceded just one goal all tournament. For some fans, Cubarsí was even more important than Yamal at the World Cup, which makes this a rare battle between two Barcelona teammates.
Big-money moves across the list
Several nominees moved for huge fees this summer:
- Yan Diomandé joined Real Madrid from RB Leipzig in a deal worth around $161.6m.
- Ayyoub Bouaddi moved from Lille to Manchester City for about $111m.
- Kerim Alajbegović swapped Salzburg for Juventus.
The Premier League has two more nominees in Bournemouth’s Éli Junior Kroupi and Aston Villa’s Johan Manzambi. Germany is represented by Bayern’s Lennart Karl and Leverkusen’s Ibrahim Maza, and PSG’s Warren Zaïre-Emery is back on the list.
Why this award matters
The Kopa Trophy often predicts future stars. Past winners include Kylian Mbappé (2018), Pedri (2021), Gavi (2022) and Jude Bellingham (2023), all of whom became key players for club and country. The award is voted on by former Ballon d’Or winners.
If Yamal wins again, he’ll be the first player to win it three times. If Cubarsí wins, it will be Barcelona’s fifth Kopa in six editions.
FAQ
Who are the Kopa Trophy 2026 nominees?
Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Yan Diomandé, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Éli Junior Kroupi, Lennart Karl, Ibrahim Maza, Johan Manzambi and Kerim Alajbegović.
Has Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy before?
Yes, in 2024 and 2025. He was the first player to retain it, and a third win would be a record.
What did Pau Cubarsí win at the 2026 World Cup?
The FIFA Young Player Award, as well as the World Cup with Spain.
When is the Kopa Trophy 2026 announced?
At the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on 26 October 2026.
Sources: Sports Illustrated; FIFA; Yahoo Sports.
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