Soccer
Ballon d'Or 2026 - The nominations for Ballon d'Or award
Watch the Ballon d'Or live and free on DAZN
The 2026 Ballon d'Or will take place next month in a lavish London ceremony, which you can watch live on DAZN.
It's the individual prize that every footballer dreams of winning, and over the years, some of the game's most legendary names have been lucky enough to be awarded the famous Golden Ball.
Last year it was Ousmane Dembélé who took home the prize, but who is in the running to win the award in 2026?
The nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or award have been announced today, and DAZN News runs down the contenders.
2026 Ballon d'Or nominees
The nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or winner include some of the game's biggest names, yet could it be the year when the award goes to an Englishman for the first time since 2001?
Michael Owen was the last Three Lions man to hold the Golden Ball, but after a year that has seen Harry Kane score 73 goals for club and country, as well as win a league and cup double, could he win the ultimate individual prize?
The England captain is one of the favourites for the award, alongside Kylian Mbappe, who became the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer this summer as well as plundering 42 goals for Real Madrid.
Then there's Spain's World Cup-winning heroes Lamine Yamal and the player of the tournament, Rodri, who could win the award for a second time.
Or could this be the setting for one final send-off for Lionel Messi? A celebration of his career, after another jaw-dropping display in the summer. Could he land a ninth Ballon d'Or as a final accolade?
2026 Men's Ballon d'Or shortlist
- Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
- Pau Cubarsí (Spain, FC Barcelona)
- Marc Cucurella (Spain, Chelsea/Real Madrid)
- Ousmane Dembélé (France, Paris-SG)
- Luis Díaz (Colombia, Bayern Munich)
- Bruno Fernandes (Portugal, Manchester United)
- Gabriel (Brazil, Arsenal)
- Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, Paris-SG)
- Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia, Paris-SG)
- Lamine Yamal (Spain, FC Barcelona)
- Sadio Mané (Senegal, Al-Nassr)
- Marquinhos (Brazil, Paris-SG)
- Lautaro Martínez (Argentina, Inter Milan)
- Kylian Mbappé (France, Real Madrid)
- Nuno Mendes (Portugal, Paris-SG)
- Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami)
- João Neves (Portugal, Paris-SG)
- Michael Olise (France, Bayern Munich)
- Willian Pacho (Ecuador, Paris-SG)
- Julián Quiñones (México, Al-Qadsiah)
- Declan Rice (England, Arsenal)
- Rodri (Spain, Manchester City/FC Barcelona)
- Fabián Ruiz (Spain, Paris-SG)
- William Saliba (France, Arsenal)
- Ferran Torres (Spain, FC Barcelona/Paris-SG)
- Dayot Upamecano (France, Bayern Munich)
- Vinícius Jr. (Brazil, Real Madrid)
- Vitinha (Portugal, Paris-SG)
Watch the Ballon d’Or live and for free on DAZN
Find out which two players will be crowned the best male and female player on the planet on Monday, October 26 at the Ballon d’Or awards. Watch exclusively worldwide live and FREE on DAZN (check for excluded territories)
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