2026 Ballon d’Or: Full men’s, women’s shortlists, host city change, more
2026 Ballon d'Or: Full men's, women's shortlists, host city change, more. Skip to main content Skip to navigation 2026 Ballon d'Or: Full men's, women's short lists, host city change, more5hChris WrightMLS Power Rankings: Griezmann catapults Orlando into the playoff picture1dJoe LoweryNWSL Power Rankings: Washington leaps to top spot as Gotham, San Diego slip up1dArianna CasconeArsenal show Chelsea, Premier League who's boss; Inter the team to beat in Serie A1dGabriele MarcottiArsenal too familiar, Man United underwhelming: Lessons from WSL's opening weekend12hEmily KeoghTransfer rumors, news: Man City eye move for Atleti's Baena3mESPNPutellas to Bayern; Paralluelo to Arsenal: Women's transfers we wish we'd seen2dYash ThakurChelsea are on the rise, but Arsenal remain kings of Premier League2dMark Ogden and James OlleyAnother game, more dropped points: Are Man United still a work in progress?
What happened
The 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlists are out. Here's who could win the biggest individual prizes in men's and women's soccer. Figure caption, Man City title defence off to strong start with victory over Birmingham CityByEmma SandersBBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Joie StadiumPublished6 September 2026The Women’s Super League returned this weekend and with it a host of new signings, improved squads and unexpected results. The 2026 Ballon d'Or awards — the annual ceremony in which France Football Magazine crowns the best men's and women's players in the world — are fast approaching, with the short list for each award announced on Tuesday.
Full 30-player Ballon d'Or short listJude BellinghamClub: Real Madrid Country: EnglandBellingham didn't win a trophy with Real Madrid for the second year running, but the all-action midfielder was an important pillar of England's bronze medal-winning display at the 2026 World Cup. When is the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony, and why isn't it in Paris? The 2026 Ballon d'Or awards, which have long been presented by France Football Magazine, will be handed out on Oct. Matthews was an all-time England great who spent the majority of his career at Blackpool and Stoke City and, when announcing the venue change, was described by organizers as a "true ambassador of football.
The wider picture
Harry KaneClub: Bayern Munich Country: EnglandOne of the favorites to lift the 2026 Ballon d'Or, Kane scored an astounding 67 goals in 58 games for Bayern Munich last season across all competitions, including 36 goals in 31 Bundesliga games. Kylian MbappéClub: Real Madrid Country: FranceHe may have gone two seasons without winning anything with Real Madrid, but Mbappe hasn't been shy in putting himself forward for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, remarking that this year would be a "good year" for him to win it.
RodriClub: Manchester City / Barcelona Country: SpainThe 2024 Ballon d'Or winner endured a fairly underwhelming 2025-26 season at club level with Manchester City though he did seem to recapture his form just in time for the World Cup, where he pulled the strings in magisterial fashion for Spain on their way to lifting the trophy before wrapping up a £65million transfer to Barcelona in the aftermath. Full 30-player Ballon d'Or Féminin short list Selma BachaClub: OL Lyonnes Country: FranceAs one of the leading left backs in the game, Bacha helped Lyonnes to a domestic treble and another Champions League final, adding 13 assists to help maintain OL Lyonnes' dominance.
Kerstin CasparijClub: Manchester City Country: NetherlandsThe Dutch defender started almost all of City's victorious Women's Super League campaign, captaining the side when needed, adding seven assists and helping the team to another FA Cup victory. Alex GreenwoodClub: Manchester City Country: EnglandThe England defender captained Manchester City to domestic a domestic double, ending Chelsea's supremacy over the Women's Super League as well as securing another FA Cup title in a comprehensive 4-0 win over Brighton at Wembley.
Mapi LeónClub: Barcelona / London City Lionesses Country: SpainLeón was one of Barcelona's longest-serving players and started in 10 of the club's 11 Women's Champions League games on their way to lifting the trophy for t While they clearly have bags of talent, there was scepticism at how quickly London City would gel, but on Friday night's showing they could be one of this season's challengers for a Women's Champions League qualification spot.
What has been reported
"Related topicsWomen's FootballFootballWomen's Super LeagueManchester City WomenArsenal WomenMore on this storyWhy Spurs' under-the-radar buy might be summer's smartest dealPublished2 days ago 4dLluís BouMissed chances, defensive mistake: Chelsea's WSL revenge campaign starts with a stumble3dEmily KeoghPutellas, new-look London City's win vs. Man United should put WSL on notice4dTom HamiltonTrue-cost ranking: The 50 most expensive Premier League transfers this summer4dRyan O'HanlonplayAre Arsenal building a Premier League dynasty? (1:03)Chris WrightSep 8, 2026, 01:20 PM ETMultiple AuthorsEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsIt's nearly that time again.
The Ballon d'Or trophies are handed out based on the criteria of: "1) Individual performances, decisive and impressive character, 2) Team performances and achievements, 3) Class and fair play. The first Ballon d'Or ceremony was a much more humble affair, held in Blackpool, England, and awarded to 41-year-old star forward Stanley Matthews. ""As the Ballon d'Or becomes of septuagenarian age, it is fitting in such a landmark year to celebrate the finest present-day exponents of the beautiful game in the beating heart of the country that first conceived of it," organizers added.
Ousmane DembéléClub: Paris Saint-Germain Country: FranceDembélé won the 2025 Ballon d'Or after starring for Paris Saint-Germain in the first of their back-to-back Champions League wins in 2024-25. Having repeated the feat with the club last season, the 29-year-old winger also accrued six goals and two assists for France at the 2026 World Cup.
What happens next
Erling HaalandClub: Manchester City Country: NorwayDespite suffering an extended fallow period during the second half of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign that saw him notch just three league goals between January and mid-April, Haaland still powered to a third Golden Boot with 27 goals in 35 games. A lingering hamstring injury forced the winger to sit out the very start of the World Cup as he managed his fitness, but he was able to feature in the group stage in a reduced capacity.
He also scored three goals in eight games to help Argentina reach the final of the 2026 World Cup. Lionel MessiClub: Inter Miami Country: ArgentinaWith a record-extending 17th Ballon d'Or nomination, Messi is once again in the running to claim what would be a ninth career Ballon d'Or at the grand age of 39. Julián QuiñonesClub: Al Qadsiah Country: MexicoQuiñones outscored Ivan Toney and Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League with his club Al Qadsiah, bagging 33 goals to top the chart in 2025-26 before scoring four goals for Mexico at the 2026 World Cup.
Fabián RuizClub: Paris Saint-Germain Country: SpainAfter an incredible season with Paris Saint-Germain and Spain, Ruiz can now claim to have won it all by adding a World Cup winners' medal to an enviable collection that already included the European Championship, the UEFA Nations League, the Champions League, various league titles and a host of other major honors. Ferran TorresClub: Barcelona / Paris Saint-Germain Country: SpainTorres scored 21 goals in 49 games for Barcelona in their title-winning 2025-26 campaign, though his crowning glory must surely be scoring the goal that saw Spain pip Argentina to win the 2026 World Cup.
The report has been compiled by The Daily Waves using information reported across espn.com, bbc.co.uk. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.