Ballon d’Or 2026: The World’s Biggest Football Stars Prepare for the Ultimate Individual Battle as Nominees Near Official Reveal

The countdown to the 2026 Ballon d’Or has begun, with the official nominees set to be announced on the 8th of September 2026.

The announcement will reveal the contenders for the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or, as well as the other major categories, ahead of the awards ceremony in London on October 26. The 2026 ceremony will mark the 70th edition of the men’s Ballon d’Or.

A total of 30 players will be shortlisted for both the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or. The other categories include Young Talent of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Coach of the Year, Striker of the Year and Club of the Year.

The announcement is expected to generate significant interest as football’s biggest names compete for recognition following the 2025/26 season. Among the players already being discussed as possible contenders are Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Rodri, although none can be regarded as an official nominee until the shortlist is released.

The eventual winners will be decided by an international jury of specialist football journalists. Representatives from the top 100 countries in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking will vote for the men’s award, while representatives from the top 50 countries in the women’s ranking will select the women’s winner.

The voting considers individual performances, team achievements and trophies, as well as a player’s class and fair play on and off the pitch. Each voter ranks 10 players, with 15 points awarded to their first choice and one point to their tenth choice.

Ousmane Dembélé is the reigning men’s Ballon d’Or winner after claiming the award in 2025, while Aitana Bonmatí won the women’s prize. Lamine Yamal was named Men’s Young Talent of the Year, while Gianluigi Donnarumma won the men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.

This year’s ceremony will also make history by moving to London. The decision comes as the Ballon d’Or celebrates its 70th anniversary and pays tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, who became the first winner of the award in 1956.