Football might be a team sport - but that won't stop players hoping their World Cup performances are recognised beyond the results.
FIFA first officially introduced what was then known as the man of the match award at the 2002 edition of their showpiece tournament.
Kai Havertz wins World Cup player of the match award
6
Havertz seized his chance to right the wrongs of the Qatar World Cup with his star showing against Curacao
El Hadji Diouf was the inaugural recipient of the individual honour following Senegal's 1-0 win over France in the competition opener.
Over two decades on, the Lions of Teranga will again open their World Cup against Les Blues, but none of the players on the pitch will be the first to claim the award at the 2026 World Cup.
In total, Lionel Messi is top of the pile - having collected 11 POTM prizes ahead of his sixth and final bid for the Jules Rimet trophy.
Cristiano Ronaldo is next up with seven, despite Portugal only twice going past the round of 16 in his five outings at the World Cup.
read more world cup news
Harry Kane is leading the list for England, with four player of the match awards across both the 2018 and 2022 editions.
Now named the Superior Player of the Match due to sponsorship reasons, over 100 stars can potentially take a trophy home this year.
And no one might be more delighted than Kai Havertz, who infamously had to pose with one in Qatar following Germany's exit.
However, the Arsenal star beamed this time around as he was crowned FIFA's best player in the 7-1 victory against Curacao.
Who decides the World Cup player of the match?
In the Premier League, co-commentators of the TV broadcaster showing the game pick who will be honoured post-game.
But at the 2026 World Cup, it's determined by a fan vote on the FIFA Play Zone app and website from halftime until the final whistle.
Virgil van Dijk 4 of Netherlands is presented with the Superior Player of the Match Trophy
6
Van Dijk's expression showed he'd have much rather a Netherlands win after being named POTM following his goal in the 2-2 draw with JapanCredit: Getty
World Cup: Most player of the match awards by edition
2002 South Korea/Japan
Brazil Rivaldo - 3
2006 Germany
Italy Andrea Pirlo - 3
2010 South Africa
Netherlands Wesley Sneijder - 4
2014 Brazil
Argentina Lionel Messi - 4
2018 Russia
France Antoine Griezmann - 3
Belgium Eden Hazard - 3
England Harry Kane - 3
Croatia Luka Modrić - 3
2022 Qatar
Argentina Lionel Messi - 5
World Cup 2026 Player of the Match - every winner
Thursday, June 11
Friday, June 12
Saturday, June 13
Folarin Balogun of the United States poses for a photograph with the Superior Player of the Match award after the team's victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay
6
England youth international Balogun scored twice on his World Cup debut for the USMNT in their home tournamentCredit: Getty
Sunday, June 14
Group C:Haiti 0-1 Scotland – John McGinn (Scotland)
Group D:Australia 2-0 Turkey – Nestory Irankunda (Australia)
Group E: Germany 7-1 Curacao – Kai Havertz (Germany)
Group F: Netherlands 2-2 Japan – Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands)
John McGinn of Scotland is presented the Superior Player of the Match following the team's 1-0 victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Haiti and Scotland
6
Aston Villa captain McGinn scored the goal that sealed Scotland's first World Cup victory in 36 yearsCredit: Getty
Monday, June 15
Group E:Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador – Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast)
Group F: Sweden 5-1 Tunisia – Alexander Isak (Sweden)
Group H:Spain 0-0 Cape Verde – Vozinha (Cabo Verde)
Group G: Belgium 1-1 Egypt – Emam Ashour (Egypt)
Group H: Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay – Federico Valverde (Uruguay)
Yan Diomande of Cote d'Ivoire poses for a photograph with the Superior Player of the Match award after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Cote D'Ivoire and Ecuador
6
Diomande underlined why Europe's biggest clubs are chasing his services this summerCredit: Getty
Vozinha of Cabo Verde is presented with the Michelob Ultra Player of the Match Trophy after the 0-0 draw between Spain and Cabo Verde
6
Vozinha didn't turn professional until the age of 25 and currently plays in Portugal's second divisionCredit: Getty
Tuesday, June 16
Read More on talkSPORT
Group G: Iran 2-2 New Zealand – Ramin Rezaeian (IR Iran)
More to follow...