World Cup 2026 Player to Watch & How to Bet Them: Mbappe to Lead The Pack?

BettingThePitch

Written by: BettingThePitch

Last Update: Tue Jun 09, 2026, 6:37 pm ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

Will Kylian Mbappe be the first back to back Golden Boot winner in World Cup history? The odds certainly say so. - Golden Boot Picks

soccer

First off, I just want to say how excited I am to be bringing free content on the beautiful game to more people. With that said, we're only a few days away from the World Cup kicking off, and it's starting to feel like Christmas morning.

There will be countless betting opportunities throughout the tournament. Today, I want to focus on three player futures that stand out heading into this year's World Cup.

Featured Plays

Kylian Mbappé to Win the Golden Boot

Summer Olympics 2024: 3 Best Gold Medal Bets for Paris Games

Mbappe should have a Huge World Cup

This may be considered a chalk play, but in my opinion, it's the strongest option on the board.

Mbappé is a proven big-game player on one of the tournament favorites. He takes penalties and should play every meaningful minute. He also enters the competition with a chance to become the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer.

There is added motivation as well. Much of the conversation this season centered around his struggles in Madrid, on and off the pitch. A dominant World Cup would quickly change that narrative.

If anyone can elevate their game on the biggest stage, it's Mbappé.

He has averaged 0.86 goals per 90 minutes at the World Cup during his career. Across World Cup qualifiers and European Championships, he has averaged 0.73 goals per 90 for France.

He's an elite finisher who consistently finds dangerous spaces. He generates a high volume of shots and benefits from having world-class creators around him.

Play: Kylian Mbappé Golden Boot (+600) Lucky Rebel

Lucky Rebel Sportsbook logo 4.9/5 Review Rating
Bonus & Benefits
Up to $1,250 + 50 Free Slots Spins
See our review »
$1,250 Welcome Bonus
Bet Live on Your Favorite Sports
Earn More with Rebel Rewards!
Play Now & Claim Bonus »

You can find more Golden Boot Picks HERE

Mikel Oyarzabal Top Spain Goalscorer

Spain enters the tournament as one of the favorites. They also benefit from a favorable group draw. With Lamine Yamal expected to miss the opening matches, I believe this number offers strong value.

If Yamal were fully healthy, I would be less interested in this market. Oyarzabal could potentially share minutes up top with Ferran Torres. However, Spain's recent friendlies suggest a different approach.

Torres appears likely to operate on the wing. That adjustment keeps him in the lineup while helping cover for Yamal's absence.

The recent form is difficult to ignore. Oyarzabal has scored in seven of his last eight starts for Spain. He continues to be one of their most reliable attacking options.

Spain opens the tournament against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia. Those matches provide excellent opportunities to build momentum and find goals. The knockout rounds become much tighter, scoring early in the tournament could prove crucial for this bet.

Play: Mikel Oyarzabal Top Spain Goalscorer (+125) Lucky Rebel

Lamine Yamal Young Player of the Tournament

Lamine Yamal has showed he can play with the big boys in this EURO

Lamine Yamal netted a scorcher for the Spanish in the EURO Semifinals

No World Cup futures card feels complete without some exposure to Lamine Yamal.

Despite his age, he is already one of the biggest stars in world football. Even if he misses a few matches, I expect him to return at the level we've become accustomed to seeing.

If Spain reaches the semifinals or beyond, Yamal will have a strong case for this award. His talent is undeniable. His popularity only strengthens his chances when voters reflect on the tournament's defining performances.

By the knockout rounds, few people will remember the matches he missed. The spotlight shines brightest in the biggest moments. That's where Yamal will have the opportunity to make his mark.

He finished the season with 16 goals and 11 assists in 28 appearances for Barcelona. This tournament gives him another opportunity to showcase his talent. Few young players have a bigger stage to do it.

Play: Lamine Yamal Young Player of the Tournament (+150) Lucky Rebel

Still Want More World Cup Content?

Here at Betting News, we offer free expert picks for every major sports league.

We also host daily streams on our Twitch channel. There, we break down our favorite bets and sweat out the action live!

Be sure to check out our content on YouTube, TikTok, and X. You can also follow my personal X account, @BettingThePitch, for additional free plays, World Cup coverage, and tournament content throughout the month.

Check out our World Cup Content Below!

Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly

Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER

More Free Betting Tips

BettingThePitch
BettingThePitch

Just a guy who loves sports, soccer and beating the books!

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.