Ballon d’Or 2026: Full List of 30 Nominees Announced
The 30 nominees for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or have been officially announced, with some of the biggest names in world football competing for the prestigious individual award.
Defending champion Ousmane Dembélé, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham are among the headline names on this year’s shortlist.
The award ceremony will take place on October 26, 2026, in London, marking the first time the Ballon d’Or ceremony has been held outside Paris.
Full List of 30 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 Magalhães — 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
The official UEFA list confirms the 30-player shortlist.
Messi, Mbappé and Yamal Among the Favourites
The shortlist features an impressive mix of established superstars and emerging talents.
Lionel Messi, a record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, returns to the shortlist after another influential campaign with Inter Miami and Argentina. Kylian Mbappé is also among the leading contenders, while Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal continues his rapid rise at the highest level.
Harry Kane is another major contender after a prolific season for Bayern Munich and England. The England captain scored heavily for both club and country and remains one of the leading candidates for the award.
PSG Lead the Nominations
Paris Saint-Germain have a particularly strong presence on the shortlist following their outstanding European campaign.
The French club have several players among the nominees, including Dembélé, Hakimi, Kvaratskhelia, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Pacho, Fabián Ruiz and Vitinha.
Dembélé will be looking to retain the award after winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
When Will the Winner Be Announced?
The 2026 Ballon d’Or winner will be announced at the ceremony in London on October 26, 2026.
With Messi, Mbappé, Yamal, Kane, Haaland, Dembélé, Bellingham and several other world-class players competing, the race for football’s most prestigious individual prize promises to be closely contested.
