The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has officially begun after France Football announced the nominees for this year’s men’s and women’s awards.
The prestigious ceremony is scheduled to take place in London on October 26, with defending men’s champion Ousmane Dembele, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Rodri among the biggest names on the 30-player shortlist.
The women’s shortlist also features several high-profile stars, including Alexia Putellas, Ewa Pajor and Melchie Dumornay. However, three-time defending winner Aitana Bonmatí has missed out after an injury-hit campaign.
Dembele Leads PSG’s Strong Representation
Ousmane Dembele has been nominated again after playing a key role in Paris Saint-Germain’s second consecutive Champions League triumph.
The French forward also represented France at the 2026 World Cup, where the team reached the semifinals before losing to eventual champions Spain.
PSG has a particularly strong presence on the men’s shortlist, with nine players associated with the club included in the nominations. The list rises to 10 when newly acquired Spanish forward Ferran Torres is included.
PSG-linked nominees include Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha.
Dembele himself believes the award could remain with a PSG player. In comments to France Football, he named Kvaratskhelia, Kane and Mbappe among his preferred top three contenders, while also mentioning Michael Olise, Lamine Yamal, Fabian Ruiz and Pacho.
Mbappe Makes History at World Cup
Kylian Mbappe remains one of the leading contenders despite Real Madrid failing to win a major trophy during the campaign.
The French superstar made history at the World Cup by becoming the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals, overtaking Lionel Messi in fewer appearances.
His individual performances have kept him firmly in contention for the prestigious individual award.
Mbappe is joined on the shortlist by Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Junior and midfielder Jude Bellingham, giving the Spanish giants a strong presence among the nominees.
Harry Kane Enjoys Outstanding Season
Harry Kane is another major contender following an exceptional campaign with Bayern Munich and England.
The striker scored 73 goals for club and country, won the Bundesliga title and helped England reach the World Cup semifinals.
Kane’s combination of individual statistics and team success makes him one of the strongest candidates for the award.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is also included after scoring 58 goals in 64 appearances for club and country.
Rodri and Messi Also Nominated
Spain captain Rodri has been shortlisted as he attempts to win the Ballon d’Or for a second time after claiming the award in 2024.
The midfielder played an important role in Spain’s World Cup success as the team secured its second world title.
Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has also made the list. The 39-year-old helped Argentina reach the World Cup final and won the Major League Soccer title with Inter Miami.
However, Messi is viewed as an outside contender compared with some of the younger stars.
The other active Ballon d’Or winners Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric have not been included among the nominees.
Lamine Yamal Among Top Young Contenders
Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal is another prominent name on the shortlist.
The teenage forward enjoyed another impressive campaign and was part of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad. His continued development has made him one of the most closely watched young players in world football.
Italy, meanwhile, has no player on the 30-man shortlist after failing to qualify for the World Cup. The Netherlands and Germany also have no representatives.
Lautaro Martinez is the only Serie A player selected.
The nominations also mean another year will pass without a new goalkeeper winning the men’s Ballon d’Or. No goalkeeper has been shortlisted, leaving Lev Yashin, who won in 1963, as the only goalkeeper to have claimed the men’s award.
Bonmatí Misses Women’s Shortlist
The women’s Ballon d’Or race features several established stars, including two-time winner Alexia Putellas and Barcelona forward Ewa Pajor.
Putellas enjoyed another successful campaign with Barcelona and Spain before moving to London City Lionesses during the summer.
Pajor was also part of Barcelona’s highly successful season, which included another Champions League triumph and a domestic quadruple.
However, Aitana Bonmatí has been left out after spending much of the campaign sidelined with a serious injury. She returned toward the end of Barcelona’s quadruple-winning season but was unable to secure another nomination.
Manchester City forward Khadija “Bunny” Shaw is also among the women’s nominees.
Vozinha Nominated for Yashin Trophy
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has earned a place on the 10-player shortlist for the Yashin Trophy, which recognises the world’s best goalkeeper.
His performances at the World Cup helped Cape Verde advance from the group stage and brought him wider recognition.
He will compete against Spain’s World Cup winner Unai Simon, Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez, and fellow African nominees Yassine Bounou and Edouard Mendy.
Ballon d’Or Ceremony Heads to London
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held in London on October 26, marking the first time the prestigious event has moved away from its traditional Paris venue.
The ceremony coincides with the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or and pays tribute to England legend Stanley Matthews, who won the inaugural award in 1956.
The men’s Ballon d’Or has been awarded since 1956, while the women’s award was introduced in 2018.
How the Ballon d’Or Is Decided
The men’s award is voted on by journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings, while journalists from the top 50 ranked nations participate in voting for the women’s award.
Voters rank their selected players, with points awarded according to their positions. The player collecting the highest overall total wins.
France Football says voting considers three main criteria: individual performances and decisive character, collective performances and titles, followed by class and fair play.
The assessment period for the 2026 award covers performances from August 3, 2025, through July 19, 2026, the date of the World Cup final.
With the nominees now confirmed, the focus will shift to the final voting before the winners are announced at the London ceremony.
