The 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has been revealed, with the award’s 70th edition set to be one of the most open in years following a World Cup that reshuffled the race.
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) enters as the early favourite, on the back of a season that delivered another Bundesliga title.
He faces stiff competition from Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), who has gained significant momentum after helping Spain win the World Cup, and defending champion Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain), who inspired PSG to a domestic treble and Champions League glory.
MORE: Yamal chases a third straight Kopa Trophy as Young Talent nominees revealed
Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) also tops the race after prolific goal scoring season, despite Real Madrid failing to win a trophy and France missing out on the World Cup final.
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) rounds out the biggest storylines, nominated after guiding Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup final, though he sits among the outsiders in the betting markets.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) and 2026 World Cup Golden Ball winner Rodri (Manchester City) are also among the other headline names, alongside Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG), who was part of PSG’s treble-winning campaign.
MORE: Vozinha’s fairytale run earns him a Ballon d’Or nomination
The rest of the shortlist is led by PSG’s continued Champions League success, with Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Marquinhos, Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz and Willian Pacho all nominated. Arsenal contribute three names in Gabriel, Declan Rice and William Saliba, while Bayern Munich are represented by Michael Olise, Dayot Upamecano and Luis Díaz. Barcelona add Pau Cubarsí and Ferran Torres to Yamal’s nomination elsewhere on the list, while Real Madrid also see summer signing Marc Cucurella recognised.
Rounding out the shortlist are Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan) and Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr), along with Julián Quiñones, the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot winner who scored the opening goal of the World Cup for Mexico despite being born in Colombia.
AFRICA PICKS: Football tips and predictions
The winner will be revealed at the ceremony in London on 26 October, alongside every other Ballon d’Or award.
OUR 2026 MEN’S BALLON D’OR NOMINEES! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/GQFsH5u5lO
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) September 8, 2026
Photo: REUTERS/Claudia Greco TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
