Top 5 World Cup awards: History and favourites for 2022

There is more glory than just the World Cup trophy to be won in 2022, making World Cup outright markets an ideal place to use the top betting bonuses currently on offer. From the Golden Ball to the Golden Boot, the markets are open to predict the winners for each of the following official World Cup accolades.

1) Golden Ball

Given to the best overall player (as decided by a technical committee and the media) and first awarded in 1982, the Golden Ball celebrates its 40-year anniversary during this World Cup.

Who are the favourites?

No player has ever won the Golden Ball more than once, but this year the heat is on for Lionel Messi to beat Cristiano Ronaldo to become the first-ever two-time winner. Kylian MbappÃ©, especially after Benzema's withdrawal from the tournament and his brace in France's first match, has now become a leading favourite for the Golden Ball. However, with a total of 216 club goals scored, he is also first in line for the Golden Boot (if he can pull off a sufficient amount of goals throughout the tournament). Neymar is also pinned to be in with a chance for the Golden Ball, but again, this will depend on Tite's management of the Brazil team during the group stages.

2) Golden Boot

Awarded to the overall top goalscorer and also celebrating its 40th anniversary, The Golden Boot, for many, has MbappÃ©'s name already inscribed on it.

Who are the other favourites?

Nevertheless, Harry Kane is also a strong contender, having previously won the Golden Boot in 2018 with a total of 6 goals for England. Bukayo Saka, who scored twice during England's opener against Iran, is fast becoming another contender. Messi and Ronaldo are also in with a shot as usual, as is rising star Neymar who sits just behind MbappÃ© on the odds table. Netherlands and Barcelona frontman Memphis Depay, too, in spite of his relatively small amount of World Cup experience, is still an underdog waiting in the wings.

3) Golden Glove

Selected entirely by a technical committee, the Golden Glove race in 2022 is fantastic and will see the best keeper rewarded handsomely.

Who are the favourites?

Manuel Neuer genuinely has a chance of winning it for a second time this year, with an incredible 327 clean sheets during his career. Thibaut Courtois is also heavily in the running especially as he won back in 2018. Although he has had fewer clean sheets than Neuer overall, his stats are still very promising. However, the odds suggest the favourites are Hugo Lloris (who has an incredible 253 clean sheets for France) and Liverpool stopper Alisson Becker, who is one of the many stars in the Brazilian lineup.

4) FIFA fair play trophy

In light of the recent negative press surrounding the tournament, this trophy has taken on significant importance for the 2022 World Cup. Only awarded to teams who qualify for the second stage of the world cup, it is based on behaviour both on and off the pitch.

Who are the favourites?

Brazil have won four times and Spain three, with Germany (as we know it today) yet to secure it. Considering the ban on alcohol and overall controlled nature of the World Cup in Qatar, it might just be awarded to the team most in line with the home nations' values rather than good sportsmanship overall.

5) Most entertaining team

Determined by a poll involving the general public, this one is not marked simply for the winning team, or team most likely to score highly in the World Cup, so all predictions change from match to match.

Who are the favourites?

Saudi Arabia's incredible performance against Argentina as well as England's win over Iran shows the competition to be fierce even in the group stages. Currently no favourites according to the bookmakers, but Spain's defeat of Costa Rica 7-0 definitely puts them in the running.