France Football published the list of 30 nominees for the men’s 2026 Ballon d’Or on Tuesday according to the Emirates News Agency. Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane earned a place on the shortlist after scoring 73 goals for club and country last season BBC Sport reported. Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice joined the England striker on the roster while reigning champion Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain also features.
Paris Saint-Germain contributed the largest number of nominees with 10 players selected Reuters stated. The contingent includes Dembele Achraf Hakimi Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Marquinhos Nuno Mendes Joao Neves Willian Pacho Fabian Ruiz Vitinha and summer signing Ferran Torres. Five French players in total made the cut including Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid and defenders William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano.
Lionel Messi received a nomination for Inter Miami following his performances in the World Cup that helped Argentina reach the final multiple outlets confirmed. The Argentine has secured the Ballon d’Or a record eight times according to a Reuters compilation of historical winners. Six Spanish players also appear on the list bolstered by their national team’s recent World Cup triumph with Lamine Yamal of Barcelona and Rodri among those recognised.
The 2026 award will be presented in London on October 26 France Football announced. Journalists from around the world will determine the winner based on individual and team performances over the season. Several notable names from major clubs did not make the final shortlist MARCA reported.
A separate list of 30 nominees for the women’s Ballon d’Or was released on the same day. French players Selma Bacha Melvine Malard and Wendie Renard are included while Alexia Putellas features but three-time winner Aitana Bonmati was omitted franceinfo reported. The women’s award has grown in prominence since its launch in 2018.
France Football first awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1956 with the scope later expanding beyond European players. Only 76 African nominations have been recorded since 1995 with George Weah remaining the continent’s sole winner in 1995 BBC Sport figures show. The process now evaluates performances across club and international matches in a single season.
