Ballon d’Or 2026: Full List of Nominees as London Prepares for Star-Studded Gala

The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or is gathering pace, with the world’s leading players, coaches and clubs set to battle for the prestigious individual and team honours.

The 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on Monday, 26 October 2026, in London, with the English capital hosting the gala for the first time.

The move to London is intended to honour Sir Stanley Matthews, who became the inaugural Ballon d’Or winner 70 years ago.

Last year’s men’s winner, Ousmane Dembélé, is among the leading contenders for this year’s awards, although a new winner could emerge.

Spain midfielder Rodri, the 2024 winner, has strengthened his case after playing a key role in his country’s World Cup triumph, while Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Michael Olise are also regarded as leading contenders.

Lionel Messi also among the nominees after another impressive World Cup campaign, although Argentina’s defeat in the final is expected to have damaged his hopes of claiming a record ninth Ballon d’Or.

Men’s 2026 Ballon d’Or Nominees

. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid

. Pau Cubarsí – Barcelona

. Marc Cucurella- Chelsea/Real Madrid

. Ousmane Dembélé- Paris Saint-Germain

. Luis Díaz- Bayern Munich

. Bruno Fernandes- Manchester United

. Gabriel – Arsenal

. Erling Haaland – Manchester City

. Achraf Hakimi – Paris Saint-Germain

. Harry Kane – Bayern Munich

. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Paris Saint-Germain

. Lamine Yamal – Barcelona

. Sadio Mané – Al Nassr

. Marquinhos- Paris Saint-Germain

. Lautaro Martínez – Inter Milan

. Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid

. Nuno Mendes – Paris Saint-Germain

. Lionel Messi – Inter Miami

. João Neves- Paris Saint-Germain

. Michael Olise – Bayern Munich

. Willian Pacho – Paris Saint-Germain

. Julián Quiñones – Al Qadsiah

. Declan Rice – Arsenal

. Rodri – Manchester City/Barcelona

. Fabián Ruiz – Paris Saint-Germain

. William Saliba – Arsenal

. Ferran Torres – Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain

. Dayot Upamecano- Bayern Munich

. Vinícius Júnior – Real Madrid

. Vitinha – Paris Saint-Germain

Women’s 2026 Ballon d’Or Nominees

. Selma Bacha – OL Lyonnes

. Barbra Banda – Orlando Pride

. Klara Bühl – Bayern Munich

. Esmee Brugts – Barcelona

. Mariona Caldentey – Arsenal

. Scarlett Camberos – Club América

. Kerstin Casparij – Manchester City

. Temwa Chawinga – Kansas City Current

. Cata Coll – Barcelona

. Melchie Dumornay – OL Lyonnes

. Caroline Graham Hansen – Barcelona

. Alex Greenwood – Manchester City

. Patri Guijarro – Barcelona

. Pernille Harder – Bayern Munich

. Yui Hasegawa – Manchester City

. Rose Lavelle – Gotham FC

. Mapi León – Barcelona/London City Lionesses

. Lorena – Kansas City Current

. Melvine Malard – Manchester United/Chelsea

. Manaka Matsukubo – North Carolina Courage/Chelsea

. Vivianne Miedema – Manchester City

. Ewa Pajor – Barcelona

. Clàudia Pina – Barcelona

. Alexia Putellas – Barcelona/London City Lionesses

. Wendie Renard – OL Lyonnes

. Alessia Russo – Arsenal

. Khadija Shaw – Manchester City

. Momoko Tanikawa – Bayern Munich

. Caroline Weir – Real Madrid/OL Lyonnes

. Tessa Wullaert – Inter Milan/Como

Men’s Young Talent of the Year Nominees:

• Kerim Alajbegovic (Salzburg/Juventus, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille/Manchester City, Morocco)
• Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona, Spain)
• Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig/Real Madrid, Ivory Coast)
• Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich, Germany)
• Eli Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth)
• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
• Johan Manzambi (Freiburg/Aston Villa, Switzerland)
• Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen, Algeria)
• Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain, France)

Women’s Young Talent of the Year

• Veerle Buurman (Chelsea, Netherlands)
• Vicky López (Barcelona, Spain)
• Felicia Schröder (BK Häcken/Real Madrid, Sweden)
• Clara Serrajordi (Barcelona, Spain)
• Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes, USA)

Women’s Coach of the Year

• Jonatan Giráldez (OL Lyonnes)
• Andrée Jeglertz (Manchester City)
• Nils Nielsen (Japan)
• Pere Romeu (Barcelona)
• Elena Sadiku (Celtic/BK Häcken)

Men’s Coach of the Year

• Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
• Luis de la Fuente (Spain)
• Unai Emery (Aston Villa)
• Vincent Kompany (Bayern Munich)
• Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)

Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year

• Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany)
• Cata Coll (Spain)
• Hannah Hampton (England)
• Lorena (Brazil)

Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year

• Yassine Bounou (Morocco)
• Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
• Joan García (Spain)
• Gregor Kobel (Switzerland)
• Emiliano Martínez (Argentina)
• Édouard Mendy (Senegal)
• David Raya (Spain)
• Matvey Safonov (Russia)
• Unai Simón (Spain)

Women’s Club of the Year

• Barcelona
• Bayern Munich Women
• Club América Femenil
• Manchester City
• OL Lyonnes

Men’s Club of the Year

• Arsenal
• Bayern Munich
• Bodø/Glimt
• Flamengo
• Paris Saint-Germain

With the major categories now taking shape, attention will turn to the final preparations for the London ceremony, where the next generation of Ballon d’Or winners will be celebrated alongside the leading clubs, coaches and goalkeepers in world football.