The Netherlands win little-known FIFA accolade after World Cup final despite worst-ever finish

The Netherlands have received an award from FIFA after the World Cup final despite exiting the tournament in the round of 32.

Ferran Torres’ extra-time strike was enough to ensure Spain won their second-ever World Cup crown, while Argentina settled for second in their third final in just four tournaments.

The South Americans set the unwanted record of becoming the first team to register zero shots on target in a World Cup final.

Lionel Messi, likely playing his final World Cup match for his country, struggled to impact the match and failed to win the Golden Boot, finishing on eight goals, two fewer than France’s Kylian Mbappé.

England’s Jude Bellingham and Norway’s Erling Haaland scored seven goals respectively, with Harry Kane and Ousmane Dembélé on six each.

Spain captain Rodri won the Golden Ball, awarded to the best-performing player, with Messi picking up the Silver Ball and Mbappé the Bronze Ball.

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Meanwhile, Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón received the Golden Glove, conceding just one goal in eight World Cup matches, with his compatriot Pau Cubarsí awarded the FIFA Young Player prize.

And while many of these awards came as no surprise, fans may not be aware that the Netherlands, who were knocked out by Morocco after a penalty shoot-out in the round of 32, picked up the FIFA Fair Play Award after receiving just three yellow cards and zero red cards during the tournament.

As per FIFA regulations: "The FIFA Fair Play Award presented by McDonald’s is a prize presented to the Participating Member Association finishing first in the fair play contest. FIFA will, on behalf of and in alignment with McDonald’s, deliver a football-related social development (CSR) campaign in the territory of the winning association. The budget for this CSR campaign shall be up to USD 50,000 (fifty thousand US dollars)."

The prize will be little consolation to the Dutch, who returned their worst-ever performance at the 2026 tournament, with head coach Ronald Koeman announcing his resignation shortly after the defeat to Morocco.

"Looking back on my career, I feel especially proud,” he said on Instagram. “I have worked with clubs and people that shaped me and gave me memories that I will cherish for a lifetime.

"We all dreamed of a World Cup in which we would write history. That didn't work out. No-one is more disappointed about that than me.

"The past years have made me realise again that there are more important things than football. Football has been my life, but health is priceless. When someone you love is fighting a tough battle, your perspective changes."

FIFA Fair Play Award winners (1970–2026)

1970: Peru

1974: West Germany

1978: Argentina

1982: Brazil

1986: Brazil

1990: England

1994: Brazil

1998: England & France

2002: Belgium

2006: Brazil & Spain

2010: Spain

2014: Colombia

2018: Spain

2022: England

2026: Netherlands