Ladbrokes' daily World Cup tip: Jude Bellingham tipped for Golden Ball & SPOTY triumph

Ladbrokes' World Cup tip: Day 29 - Thursday, July 9, 2026

The battle for the Golden Ball is always one of the most intriguing at any World Cup, with everyone wanting to be crowned the Player of the Tournament, and as Jude Bellingham continues to put in such impressive, consistent performances, it's little wonder we're tipping him to pick up the acclaimed individual award.

The England man has been the standout performer for Thomas Tuchel's side up to this point, with four goals and an assist - including an instantly iconic brace in the Azteca - as the Three Lions have stormed to the quarter-finals, and he's quickly dismissed any ideas that he shouldn't be starting in emphatic style.

The likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are still more fancied for the Golden Ball than Bellingham, with arguably the world's two best players tearing up the scene game-in, game-out, but even if the midfielder drives England to a first World Cup final since 1966, there will be little argument against him claiming the prize. His odds currently sit at 9/1 as we approach the quarter-finals, but the face of English football still has plenty to offer at this World Cup yet.

To cap off what could be a historic year for Jude Bellingham, we're backing him to follow up his potential Golden Ball victory with another hugely impressive prize, with the Real Madrid star also claiming the 2026 Sports Personality of the Year Award.

Rory McIlroy picked up the trophy last year after his maiden Masters victory completed the career Grand Slam, and is well in the conversation again this time round after winning the tournament for the second straight year, but a World Cup triumph would see a number of England footballers soar to the head of the betting - with Bellingham potentially leading the charge.

Skipper Harry Kane is actually the current favourite for the award, with the striker entering the top-five World Cup goalscorers of all time, but he wouldn't have achieved this feat without the brilliance of Bellingham, and while Kane is also tipped to be knighted in 2026, we're backing Jude for SPOTY.

The 23-year-old maestro is bringing levels of performances that England fans haven't seen for quite some time, and as such a likeable character, he seems primed to win over the nation once the votes come in. It will be some race for the Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2026, with so many British athletes reaching exceptional heights, but our experts are predicting that this is Jude Bellingham's year.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.