The list of 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or has been revealed.
One of the most notable features of this year's nominees is the historic representation from Paris Saint-Germain. An astonishing ten players from the French club are battling for this prestigious individual accolade, setting a new record for a single club.
Joining them in contention are several standout stars from English football, including Harry Kane, Declan Rice, and Jude Bellingham.
Full list of nominees
From PSG:
- Ousmane Dembele
- Nuno Mendes
- Michael Olise
- Willian Pacho
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
- Marquinhos
- Fabian Ruiz
- Ferran Torres
- Dayot Upamecano
- Vitinha
Other nominees include:
- Jude Bellingham
- Pau Cubarsi
- Marc Cucurella
- Luis Diaz
- Bruno Fernandes
- Gabriel
- Erling Haaland
- Ashraf Hakimi
- Harry Kane
- Lamine Yamal
- Sadio Mane
- Kylian Mbappe
- Lionel Messi
- Jonathan Neves
- Vinicius Junior
- Rodri
- William Saliba
- Declan Rice
- Vitinha
Among the list, there are some notable returns, with Lionel Messi back in the running along with Rodri.
Kane, Mbappe, Yamal and Dembele — key contenders
Harry Kane heads into the ceremony as one of the main favourites. The England captain has had a phenomenal season with Bayern Munich, netting 61 goals for his club, plus an additional six for the national team.
Fellow contenders include Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, and current holder Ousmane Dembele, who will be eager to defend his title.
Significantly, the 2026 World Cup is likely to play a crucial role in the voting, as the award considers players' performances over the relevant period, which will include the summer tournament in North America.
Who will win the Ballon d'Or?
With the nominees now announced, the race for this year's honour looks to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory.
Kane boasts impressive stats and silverware with Bayern, Yamal triumphed at the World Cup with Spain, Mbappe has cemented his status as a global football superstar, and Dembele aims to retain his crown.
The Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place on October 26, 2026, in London.
