The 2026 Ballon d’Or race is officially underway after France Football unveiled the full 30-player shortlists for both the men’s and women’s awards, with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Alexia Putellas among the headline names.
The nominations were announced on Tuesday, September 8, with the winners set to be crowned at a ceremony in London on October 26. The event will mark the first time the prestigious awards ceremony has been held outside France and will coincide with the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or.
Men’s Ballon d’Or nominees
The 30 nominees are:
Jude Bellingham, Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella, Ousmane Dembélé, Luis Díaz, Bruno Fernandes, Gabriel Magalhães, Erling Haaland, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Lamine Yamal, Sadio Mané, Marquinhos, Lautaro Martínez, Kylian Mbappé, Nuno Mendes, Lionel Messi, João Neves, Michael Olise, Willian Pacho, Julián Quiñones, Declan Rice, Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, William Saliba, Ferran Torres, Dayot Upamecano, Vinícius Júnior and Vitinha.
Kane enters the race as one of the leading contenders after an outstanding season, while Messi is seeking a record-extending ninth Ballon d’Or. Reigning winner Ousmane Dembélé is also nominated.
Women’s Ballon d’Or nominees
The women’s shortlist features 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 and Tessa Wullaert.
Three-time reigning winner Aitana Bonmatí is absent after an injury-hit campaign, meaning a new winner will be crowned in the women’s category.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on October 26 in London, with individual performances, team success and overall impact expected to shape the final voting.
