2026 Ballon d'Or Nominees: Full List of Every Nominee (and Predicted Winners)

The nominees for every award is official!

9 Sept 2026·4 min read·by Taj Soupidis

Photo: Getty Images

The nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or awards have officially been revealed, with football's biggest stars competing across a range of individual, coaching and club categories.

The 2026 ceremony will be particularly significant as it marks the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d'Or. For the first time, the ceremony will be held in London, with the winners set to be announced at the London Palladium on October 26th.

From the men's and women's Ballon d'Or to the awards for the world's best young players, goalkeepers, coaches and clubs, here is the full list of nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or awards.

Men's Ballon d'Or Nominees

The race for the biggest individual award in men's football features 30 players from across the world.

The 2026 Men's Ballon d'Or nominees are:

  • Jude Bellingham
  • Pau Cubarsi
  • Marc Cucurella
  • Ousmane Dembele
  • Luis Diaz
  • Bruno Fernandes
  • Gabriel
  • Erling Haaland
  • Achraf Hakimi
  • Harry Kane
  • Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
  • Lamine Yamal
  • Sadio Mane
  • Marquinhos
  • Lautaro Martinez
  • Kylian Mbappe
  • Nuno Mendes
  • Lionel Messi
  • Joao Neves
  • Michael Olise
  • Willian Pacho
  • Julian Quinones
  • Declan Rice
  • Rodri
  • Fabian Ruiz
  • William Saliba
  • Ferran Torres
  • Dayot Upamecano
  • Vinicius Junior
  • Vitinha

Harry Kane, Kylian Mbapp4, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal headline an incredibly strong list. Paris Saint-Germain are particularly well represented, while the inclusion of Messi means the eight-time winner has another opportunity to add to his record-breaking collection.

My Tip To Win It: Lamine Yamal

Women's Ballon d'Or Nominees

The women's award also features 30 nominees, including some of the biggest names in European and international football.

The 2026 Women's Ballon d'Or nominees are:

  • Selma Bacha
  • Barbra Banda
  • Esmee Brugts
  • Klara Buhl
  • Mariona Caldentey
  • Scarlett Camberos
  • Kerstin Casparij
  • Temwa Chawinga
  • Cata Coll
  • Melchie Dumornay
  • Caroline Graham Hansen
  • Alex Greenwood
  • Patri Guijarro
  • Pernille Harder
  • Yui Hasegawa
  • Rose Lavelle
  • Mapi Leon
  • Lorena
  • Melvine Malard
  • Manaka Matsukubo
  • Vivianne Miedema
  • Ewa Pajor
  • Claudia Pina
  • Alexia Putellas
  • Wendie Renard
  • Alessia Russo
  • Khadija Shaw
  • Momoko Tanikawa
  • Caroline Weir
  • Tessa Wullaert

The shortlist includes former winners Alexia Putellas and some of the biggest stars from Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester City and OL Lyonnes. One of the biggest talking points is the absence of Aitana Bonmati, who won the previous three awards.

My Tip To Win It: Alexia Putellas

Men's Young Talent of the Year Nominees

The Men's Young Talent of the Year award recognises the best emerging players in world football.

The 10 nominees are:

  • Kerim Alajbegović
  • Ayyoub Bouaddi
  • Pau Cubarsi
  • Yan Diomande
  • Lennart Karl
  • Eli Junior Kroupi
  • Lamine Yamal
  • Johan Manzambi
  • Ibrahim Maza
  • Warren Zaire-Emery

Barcelona's Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal headline a group packed with some of football's most exciting young talent.

My Tip To Win It: Lamine Yamal

Women's Young Talent of the Year Nominees

The five nominees are:

  • Veerle Buurman
  • Vicky Lopez
  • Felicia Schroder
  • Clara Serrajordi
  • Lily Yohannes

The category features young players already making an impact for some of the biggest clubs and national teams in the world.

My Tip To Win It: Vicky Lopez

Men's Goalkeeper of the Year Nominees

Ten goalkeepers have been nominated for the 2026 Men's Goalkeeper of the Year award.

The nominees are:

  • Yassine Bounou
  • Thibaut Courtois
  • Joan Garcia
  • Gregor Kobel
  • Emiliano Martínez
  • Edouard Mendy
  • David Raya
  • Matvey Safonov
  • Unai Simon
  • Vozinha

The inclusion of Vozinha is one of the most interesting stories on the shortlist.

My Tip To Win It: David Raya

Women's Goalkeeper of the Year Nominees

The five nominees are:

  • Ann-Katrin Berger
  • Cata Coll
  • Hannah Hampton
  • Lorena
  • Ayaka Yamashita

The shortlist features goalkeepers representing some of the strongest clubs and national teams in women's football.

My Tip To Win It: Hannah Hampton

Men's Coach of the Year Nominees

Five managers have been nominated for the Men's Coach of the Year award.

The nominees are:

  • Mikel Arteta
  • Luis de la Fuente
  • Unai Emery
  • Vincent Kompany
  • Luis Enrique

It is a strong list featuring managers from Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and the Spanish national team.

My Tip To Win It: Luis Enrique

Women's Coach of the Year Nominees

The five nominees are:

  • Jonatan Giraldez
  • Andree Jeglertz
  • Nils Nielsen
  • Pere Romeu
  • Elena Sadiku

The nominees represent a range of clubs and national teams from across Europe and international football.

My Tip To Win It: Pere Romeu

Men's Club of the Year Nominees

Five clubs have been nominated for the 2026 Men's Club of the Year award.

The nominees are:

  • Arsenal
  • Bayern Munich
  • Bodo/Glimt
  • Flamengo
  • Paris Saint-Germain

The list features traditional European giants alongside two of football's most interesting success stories in Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt and Brazilian giants Flamengo.

My Tip To Win It: PSG

Women's Club of the Year Nominees

The five nominees are:

  • Barcelona
  • Bayern Munich
  • Club America
  • Manchester City
  • OL Lyonnes

Barcelona and OL Lyonnes are joined by Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Mexican side Club America in the race for the award.

My Tip To Win It: Barcelona

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