Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and several of football’s biggest names have been nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or as the race for the prestigious individual prize officially begins.
The 30-man shortlist for the men’s award was announced on Tuesday alongside nominees for the women’s Ballon d’Or and other categories covering young players, goalkeepers, coaches and clubs.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for October 26 in London, where the winners will be announced.
The nominees are based on performances during the 2025/26 season, with players competing for one of football’s most prestigious individual honours. The official Ballon d’Or organisers confirmed that the men’s and women’s main awards each feature 30 nominees.
Men’s Ballon d’Or — 30 Nominees
- Achraf Hakimi
- Bruno Fernandes
- Dayot Upamecano
- Declan Rice
- Erling Haaland
- Fabián Ruiz
- Ferran Torres
- Gabriel Magalhães
- Harry Kane
- João Neves
- Jude Bellingham
- Julián Quiñones
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
- Kylian Mbappé
- Lamine Yamal
- Lautaro Martínez
- Lionel Messi
- Luis Díaz
- Marc Cucurella
- Marquinhos
- Michael Olise
- Nuno Mendes
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Pau Cubarsí
- Rodri
- Sadio Mané
- Vinícius Júnior
- Vitinha
- William Saliba
- Willian Pacho
The official list includes stars from clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Arsenal. PSG lead the club representation with 10 nominees.
Women’s Ballon d’Or — 30 Nominees
- Selma Bacha
- Barbra Banda
- Klara Bühl
- Esmee Brugts
- Mariona Caldentey
- Scarlett Camberos
- Kerstin Casparij
- Temwa Chawinga
- Cata Coll
- Melchie Dumornay
- Caroline Graham Hansen
- Alex Greenwood
- Patri Guijarro
- Pernille Harder
- Yui Hasegawa
- Rose Lavelle
- Mapi León
- Lorena
- Melvine Malard
- Manaka Matsukubo
- Vivianne Miedema
- Ewa Pajor
- Claudia Pina
- Alexia Putellas
- Wendie Renard
- Alessia Russo
- Khadija Shaw
- Momoko Tanikawa
- Caroline Weir
- Tessa Wullaert
The women’s shortlist features leading players from clubs including Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Arsenal and OL Lyonnes.
Men’s Young Talent of the Year — 10 Nominees
- Kerim Alajbegović
- Ayyoub Bouaddi
- Pau Cubarsí
- Yan Diomandé
- Lennart Karl
- Éli Junior Kroupi
- Lamine Yamal
- Johan Manzambi
- Ibrahim Maza
- Warren Zaïre-Emery
Women’s Young Talent of the Year — 5 Nominees
- Veerle Buurman
- Vicky López
- Felicia Schröder
- Clara Serrajordi
- Lily Yohannes
Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year — 10 Nominees
- Yassine Bounou
- Thibaut Courtois
- Joan García
- Gregor Kobel
- Emiliano Martínez
- Édouard Mendy
- David Raya
- Matvey Safonov
- Unai Simón
- Vozinha
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year — 5 Nominees
- Ann-Katrin Berger
- Cata Coll
- Hannah Hampton
- Lorena
- Ayaka Yamashita
Men’s Coach of the Year — 5 Nominees
- Mikel Arteta
- Luis de la Fuente
- Unai Emery
- Vincent Kompany
- Luis Enrique
Women’s Coach of the Year — 5 Nominees
- Jonatan Giráldez
- Andrée Jeglertz
- Nils Nielsen
- Pere Romeu
- Elena Sadiku
Men’s Club of the Year — 5 Nominees
- Arsenal
- Bayern Munich
- Bodø/Glimt
- Flamengo
- Paris Saint-Germain
Women’s Club of the Year — 5 Nominees
- FC Barcelona
- Bayern Munich
- Club América
- Manchester City
- OL Lyonnes
The 2026 ceremony will take place in London on October 26, with winners crowned across the major Ballon d’Or categories.