France Football magazine has revealed the 30 men’s and 30 women’s nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with last year’s winner Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, and Lamine Yamal emerging among the leading contenders for football’s most coveted individual award.
2026 Ballon d’Or Shortlist Revealed With Dembele, Mbappe and Kane Leading Top Contenders
The prestigious annual event is moving from its traditional Paris home to London this year to mark the 70th anniversary of the award, which was created by France Football in 1956 and has been co-organised by France Football and UEFA since 2024. The ceremony will take place at the London Palladium Theatre, paying tribute to the award’s inaugural winner, England great Stanley Matthews.
Standout Seasons and Key Contenders on the Men’s Shortlist
Harry Kane put together one of the finest seasons of his career, scoring 73 goals for club and country while winning the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich and leading England to a third-place finish at the World Cup. Kylian Mbappe made history by overtaking Lionel Messi for the most all-time World Cup goals with 22 strikes in fewer games, while also representing France alongside Dembele at the tournament, where their team reached the semifinals before falling to eventual champion Spain.
Dembele enters the conversation with an opportunity to retain the Ballon d’Or after capturing a second straight Champions League title with Paris Saint-Germain. Lionel Messi, holder of a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, made the 30-man list at age 39 after guiding Argentina to a World Cup runner-up finish and winning Major League Soccer with Inter Miami. Spain midfielder Rodri, who won the award in 2024 and helped inspire Spain to its second World Cup title, was also selected. Notably, the other three active past winners—Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Luka Modric—were left off the list.
Paris Saint-Germain Dominance and Interview Insights
Paris Saint-Germain heavily populated the men’s nomination list, with Dembele representing one of nine PSG players—or 10 including newly acquired Ferran Torres—selected for the honor. The club’s contingent includes Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz, and Vitinha, alongside Torres, who scored Spain’s winner in the World Cup final.
In an interview with France Football, Dembele stated that he expects the trophy to remain at PSG, citing club teammate Kvaratskhelia, Kane, Mbappe, Michael Olise, Lamine Yamal, Ruiz, and Pacho as standout players while omitting himself from his personal top three. I don’t think the trophy is undecided.
Women’s Field and Additional Award Categories
In the women’s field, two-time winner Alexia Putellas, Ewa Pajor, and Melchie Dumornay lead the favorites. However, Aitana Bonmati—winner of the past three awards—did not make the cut after missing most of the season through injury, despite returning at the end of Barcelona’s quadruple-winning campaign.
The awards span multiple categories alongside the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or, including Young Talent of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Coach of the Year, Club of the Year, Striker of the Year, and the Sócrates Award for solidarity initiatives supported by a committed champion.
