Ballon d'Or 2026 nominees list: Updated shortlist of players announced as soccer award contenders

The 2026 Ballon d'Or nominees have been announced, with a shortlist of 30 players set to be revealed by France Football on September 8. The winner of the prestigious individual award in soccer will be determined from this shortlist. Last year's men's winner, Ousmane Dembele, may be up for another victory, but it is anticipated that a new champion will emerge.

Rodri, who led Manchester City to the World Cup title in 2024, has re-entered the running for the award, and other contenders include Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, and Michael Olise. Lionel Messi, despite a disappointing final in the World Cup, could still be included in the list thanks to his outstanding performances throughout the tournament.

The nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or Men's Club award include Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodo/Glimt, Flamengo, and Paris Saint-Germain. The awards ceremony itself will take place on October 26 in London, England, marking the first time the event will be held outside of Paris. The selection process for the Ballon d'Or involves a panel of international journalists, who compile a list of finalists for both the men's and women's categories.

The voting process, revised in 2022, includes media members from the top 100 nations in the FIFA men's world ranking and the top 50 nations in the FIFA women's world ranking. Points are assigned based on the player's ranking on the ballot, and the player with the most points is declared the winner.