France Football has officially announced the nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards, which will take place in London.
This year’s categories highlight players who shined during the 2025/2026 season, assessing both their individual prowess and team contributions as key factors in the selection process.
Voters from around the globe will be casting their votes to determine the winners for each category based on established criteria.
In a notable change, this year marks the first time since 2019 that the Ballon d’Or ceremony will not be held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Instead, the event is moving to London, where it will pay tribute to the inaugural Ballon d’Or winner, Stanley Matthews.
The Men’s Best Player category is generating a lot of buzz, with top contenders including Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, and Harry Kane among others leading the race.
Men’s Best Player Candidates:
Jude Bellingham, Marc Cucurella, Pau Cubarsí, title-holder Ousmane Dembélé, Bruno Fernandes, Luis Díaz, Erling Haaland, Gabriel Magalhães, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Lamine Yamal, Sadio Mané, Marquinhos, Kylian Mbappé, Lautaro Martínez, Michael Olise, Willian Pacho, João Neves, Julián Quiñones, Rodri, Nuno Mendes, Vinícius Júnior, Declan Rice, Lionel Messi, Fabián Ruiz, Ferran Torres, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Vitinha.
Women’s Best Player Candidates:
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.
World’s Best Coach – Women’s Teams:
Jonatan Giráldez (Lyon), Andrée Jeglertz (Manchester City), Nils Nielsen (Japan national team), Pere Romeu (Barcelona), Elena Sadiku (Celtic/BK Häcken).
World’s Best Coach – Men’s Teams:
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), Luis de la Fuente (Spain national team), Unai Emery (Aston Villa), Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain), Vincent Kompany (Bayern Munich).
Best Men’s Team:
Arsenal (Premier League champions and Champions League runners-up), Bayern Munich (Bundesliga champions), Bodø/Glimt (Norway), Flamengo (Brazil), Paris Saint-Germain (France).
World’s Best Men’s Goalkeeper – Lev Yashin Trophy:
Juan García (Spain), Yassine Bounou (Morocco), Thibaut Courtois (Belgium), Emiliano Martínez (Argentina), Gregor Kobel (Switzerland), Édouard Mendy (Senegal), David Raya (Spain), Unai Simón (Spain), Vozinha (Cape Verde), Safonov (Russia).
World’s Best Women’s Goalkeeper:
Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany), Cata Coll (Spain), Hannah Hampton (England), Lorena (Brazil), Ayaka Yamashita (Japan).
Best Young Player:
Bouaddi, Maza, Kerim Alajbegović (Bosnia), Pau Cubarsí (Spain), Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast), Lennart Karl (Germany), Elie Junior Kroupi (France), Lamine Yamal (Spain), Johan Manzambi (Switzerland), Warren Zaïre-Emery (France).
