Ballon d’Or 2026 nominees have been officially revealed, with Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal among the contenders. The winner will be crowned in London on October 26, according to the editorial team at Baltimore Chronicle.
The official UEFA announcement confirms the shortlist was published on September 8. France Football created the award in 1956 and now co-organises it with UEFA.
Ballon d’Or ceremony moves to London for the first time
The 2026 ceremony will mark the award’s 70th anniversary. It will take place at the London Palladium.
London was chosen to honour Stanley Matthews, the first Ballon d’Or winner in 1956. It will be the first ceremony staged outside France.
That gives this edition a historical dimension beyond the football itself. Ballon d’Or 2026 will break a tradition lasting seven decades.
Harry Kane leads a crowded race
Harry Kane enters the discussion after an extraordinary season with Bayern Munich and England. L’Équipe credits him with 73 goals across 65 matches.
Several rivals have equally strong arguments.
| Player | 2025/26 headline |
|---|---|
| Harry Kane | 73 goals in 65 matches |
| Erling Haaland | 58 goals in 64 matches |
| Kylian Mbappé | 58 goals in 60 matches |
| Lionel Messi | 45 goals and 30 assists |
The figures underline how difficult the vote could become. Individual production will compete with trophies and major international performances.
Rodri returns after winning the award in 2024. Ousmane Dembélé is seeking a second consecutive Ballon d’Or.
Full Ballon d’Or 2026 nominees list
The men’s shortlist contains 30 players from Europe, MLS and the Saudi Pro League:
- Jude Bellingham — Real Madrid
- Pau Cubarsí — Barcelona
- Marc Cucurella — Chelsea/Real Madrid
- Ousmane Dembélé — Paris Saint-Germain
- Luis Díaz — Bayern Munich
- Bruno Fernandes — Manchester United
- Gabriel — Arsenal
- Erling Haaland — Manchester City
- Achraf Hakimi — Paris Saint-Germain
- Harry Kane — Bayern Munich
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — Paris Saint-Germain
- Lamine Yamal — Barcelona
- Sadio Mané — Al-Nassr
- Marquinhos — Paris Saint-Germain
- Lautaro Martínez — Inter
- Kylian Mbappé — Real Madrid
- Nuno Mendes — Paris Saint-Germain
- Lionel Messi — Inter Miami
- João Neves — Paris Saint-Germain
- Michael Olise — Bayern Munich
- Willian Pacho — Paris Saint-Germain
- Julián Quiñones — Al-Qadsiah
- Declan Rice — Arsenal
- Rodri — Manchester City/Barcelona
- Fabián Ruiz — Paris Saint-Germain
- William Saliba — Arsenal
- Ferran Torres — Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain
- Dayot Upamecano — Bayern Munich
- Vinícius Júnior — Real Madrid
- Vitinha — Paris Saint-Germain
PSG has 9 nominees, matching its previous record. The Paris club’s dominance reflects another Champions League-winning campaign.
Lionel Messi also returns to the shortlist at 39. The Argentine is chasing a record-extending ninth Ballon d’Or.
Young players, goalkeepers and coaches also nominated
Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí appear among the Young Talent nominees. Warren Zaïre-Emery and Lennart Karl are also shortlisted.
The goalkeeper category includes Thibaut Courtois, David Raya, Emiliano Martínez, Unai Simón and Vozinha. Cape Verde’s veteran goalkeeper earned recognition after his World Cup performances.
Mikel Arteta, Luis Enrique, Luis de la Fuente, Unai Emery and Vincent Kompany contest the men’s coaching prize. Women’s awards will also be presented in London.
The ceremony now has a wider significance than the men’s main trophy. Yet the central question remains unchanged: who will win the Ballon d’Or 2026?
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