Ballon d’Or 2026: Three African goalkeepers nominated for Yashin Trophy

The 2026 Ballon d’Or Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, also known as the Yashin Trophy, has seen three African goalkeepers nominated among the 10 nominees. Morocco’s Yassine Bounou from Al Hilal, Senegal’s Édouard Mendy from Al Ahli, and Cape Verde’s Vozinha from Colo-Colo have been recognized for their outstanding performances.

This highlights Africa’s strong representation among the world’s top goalkeepers. Vozinha’s nomination is a testament to his remarkable performances, particularly during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he became a standout star and a fan-favorite. Before the tournament, Vozinha was relatively unknown, with a social media following of less than 50,000.

However, his impressive displays for Cape Verde, including a goalless draw against eventual champions Spain and Argentina’s elimination in extra time, helped him rise to global attention. His fan following surged to nearly 29 million by the end of the World Cup. Bounou, a key figure for Atlas Lions and a previous CAF award winner, continues to earn recognition for his consistent high-level performances in Saudi Arabia and with Morocco.

Mendy, an experienced Senegal international and former Chelsea No. 1, remains one of Africa's most decorated goalkeepers due to his earlier continental success. The nominations for the Ballon d’Or cover performances from August 2025 to July 2026 and factor in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.