FIFA World Cup Goal of the Tournament Winners List
At the conclusion of each FIFA World Cup, there are several awards handed out for various achievements by players and teams. One of those awards is known as the Goal of the Tournament Award. The award is a subjective award handed out to the player who was deemed to have the most outstanding goal of the tournament. The remainder of this award will discuss this award in detail.
FIFA World Cup Goal of the Tournament Winners List
- 2006 Germany World Cup: Maxi Rodríguez of Argentina scored against Mexico in the Round of 16
- 2010 South Africa World Cup: Diego Forlán of Uruguay scored against Germany in the third-place match
- 2014 Brazil World Cup: James Rodríguez of Colombia scored against Uruguay in the Round of 16
- 2018 Russia World Cup: Benjamin Pavard of France scored against Argentina in the Round of 16
- 2022 Qatar World Cup: Richarlison of Brazil scored against Serbia in the group stage
Creation of the Goal of the Tournament Award
The first Goal of the Tournament Award was handed out following the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The award was designed to create more fan engagement between FIFA and their fans, and it is decided by an online fan vote at the conclusion of the World Cup. The goal can be at any point in the competition, from the group stage to the championship match. Fans do not just vote for any goal, however. The FIFA Technical Study Group creates a shortlist of goals for fans to vote on, and the fans decide from there. The shortlist is not always the same amount of goals each year; rather, the Technical Study Group picks all the goals that they deem worthy. For the most recent World Cup in 2022 in Qatar, there were ten goals fans could vote between.
Goal of the Tournament Award Winners
The first Goal of the Tournament Award winner was Maxi Rodriguez’s goal for Argentina against Mexico in the 2006 World Cup Round of Sixteen. The goal was an incredible chest volley from outside the eighteen-yard box, and the goal was the eventual game-winner in Argentina’s match.
In 2010, Diego Forlán of Uruguay was awarded the goal of the tournament after his strike against Germany in the third-place match. Similar to Rodriguez, Forlán’s goal was a volley from the top of the eighteen-yard box. Unfortunately for Diego, Uruguay ended up falling in the third-place match to the Germans 3-2.
The next winner was James Rodriguez of Colombia against Uruguay in the 2014 World Cup Round of Sixteen. James’s goal was a turnaround volley from outside the eighteen-yard box, and his Columbian side eventually defeated Uruguay 2-0.
In 2018, the Goal of the Tournament winner was Benjamin Pavard of France, who scored against Argentina in the Round of Sixteen. Pavard’s volley from the right of the top of the eighteen-yard box tied the match at 2, and France eventually pulled out a 4-3 win.
The most recent Goal of the Tournament winner was Richarlison of Brazil. He scored both goals in their 2-0 Group Stage victory over Serbia. The first goal was an easy tap-in but his second was a spectacular, leaping bicycle kick, earning Richarlison the honor.
FAQ
What is the Goal of the Tournament Award in the FIFA World Cup?
The Goal of the Tournament Award at the FIFA World Cup is an award given to the player who was deemed to have scored the most outstanding goal at the World Cup. The award is completely subjective, and fans voted on it at the conclusion of the World Cup. The FIFA Technical Study Group creates a shortlist of outstanding goals, and the fans vote online from there.
Has Anyone Won the Goal of the Award More Than Once?
To date, no one has won the FIFA World Cup Goal of the Tournament more than once. The award has gone to four players from four different countries since it was first handed out in 2006. Players from Argentina, Uruguay, Columbia, France, and Brazil have won the Goal of the Tournament Award.