FIFA Faces Backlash Over World Cup Best Player Voting System Favoring Popularity

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered thrilling matches and surprises on the field, but off the pitch, the method for selecting the tournament's official Best Player has sparked widespread criticism. FIFA changed the voting system to allow fans to vote online, early, and frequently for their favorite players, turning the award into a popularity contest rather than a merit-based honor.

This shift has led to several controversial selections. In Brazil's narrow win over Japan, Casemiro, who played poorly and made several mistakes, was surprisingly named Best Player, likely due to fans voting humorously to mock his performance. Similarly, Cristiano Ronaldo received the award in Portugal's win over Croatia despite a lackluster game, and Mohamed Salah was chosen after Egypt's penalty shootout win over Australia despite a largely quiet performance.

Even Lionel Messi, who had a strong tournament overall, was awarded Best Player in Argentina's tough 3-2 win over Cape Verde, a result some fans felt overlooked key contributions from lesser-known teammates. Players themselves have expressed discomfort with the system; England's Jude Bellingham admitted he did not deserve the award after a disappointing draw with Ghana, and Spain's Amin Yamal was controversially chosen over teammates who scored or assisted more in their 3-0 win over Austria.

Critics argue FIFA's approach, inspired by American sports fan voting like the NBA All-Star game, undermines football's team spirit and professionalism. The system favors star players with large social media followings, disadvantaging smaller nations and less famous players. As digital engagement becomes paramount, FIFA appears willing to sacrifice objective assessment for online exposure, forcing lesser-known players to compete not only on the field but also against the social media influence of global superstars.