Ballon d’Or 2026 nominees announced ahead of London ceremony

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé will join a field of 30 candidates when the 2026 Ballon d’Or is presented in London on Monday, amid uncertainty over the eventual winner.

The shortlist includes three frontrunners – England striker Harry Kane, Spain teenager Lamine Yamal and France forward Kylian Mbappé – each touted as the most likely to claim the award. Dembélé, who helped PSG win the Champions League, is also in contention after his title-winning season.

Midfielders feature prominently, with France’s Fabián Ruiz highlighted for strong performances for both his national team and PSG. Spanish defender Marc Cucurella appears at the 18th spot, making him the highest‑ranked Spaniard on the list, while Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior is placed 17th. Barcelona’s Ferran Torres rounds out the top 20 at 16th.

Key nominees and rankings

The ranking places the three leading candidates within the top ten, though the exact order was not disclosed. Kane, Yamal and Mbappé are expected to dominate voting, but analysts note that surprise votes could emerge for midfielders and defenders who had standout seasons.

Background and context

The Ballon d’Or, awarded annually by France Football, recognises the best male footballer of the calendar year. The 2026 edition follows a season in which PSG secured the Champions League, boosting the profile of several of its players on the shortlist. The ceremony in London will be the first since the competition moved venues due to the ongoing pandemic disruptions.

Fans and pundits will watch the live broadcast for the final decision, which will be based on votes from journalists, national team coaches and captains.

Why it matters: The award highlights the players who shaped the 2025‑26 season, influencing club success and national team performances across Europe and the Middle East, where football follows the European calendar closely.