France Football has officially unveiled the nominees for the various categories of the 2026 Ballon d’Or, set to be hosted in London.
The categories feature players who excelled during the 2025/2026 season, with both individual and collective performances serving as key criteria in the decision-making process.
Accredited voters across the world will cast their ballots to decide the ultimate winners of the different categories based on defined standards.
For the first time since 2019, the Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held outside the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The festivities are heading to London, England, to honor inaugural Ballon d’Or winner Stanley Matthews.
The most talked-about category is the Men’s Best Player, with Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and others leading the charge as contenders.
Men’s Best Player Candidates:
Jude Bellingham, Marc Cucurella, Pau Cubarsí, title-holder Ousmane Dembélé, Bruno Fernandes, Luis Díaz, Erling Haaland, Gabriel Magalhães, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Lamine Yamal, Sadio Mané, Marquinhos, Kylian Mbappé, Lautaro Martínez, Michael Olise, Willian Pacho, João Neves, Julián Quiñones, Rodri, Nuno Mendes, Vinícius Júnior, Declan Rice, Lionel Messi, Fabián Ruiz, Ferran Torres, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Vitinha.
Women’s Best Player Candidates:
Selma Bacha, Barbra Banda, Klara Bühl, Esmee Brugts, 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 León, 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.
World’s Best Coach – Women’s Teams:
Jonatan Giráldez (Lyon), Andrée Jeglertz (Manchester City), Nils Nielsen (Japan national team), Pere Romeu (Barcelona), Elena Sadiku (Celtic/BK Häcken).
World’s Best Coach – Men’s Teams:
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), Luis de la Fuente (Spain national team), Unai Emery (Aston Villa), Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain), Vincent Kompany (Bayern Munich).
Best Men’s Team:
Arsenal (Premier League champions and Champions League runners-up), Bayern Munich (Bundesliga champions), Bodø/Glimt (Norway), Flamengo (Brazil), Paris Saint-Germain (France).
World’s Best Men’s Goalkeeper – Lev Yashin Trophy:
Juan García (Spain), Yassine Bounou (Morocco), Thibaut Courtois (Belgium), Emiliano Martínez (Argentina), Gregor Kobel (Switzerland), Édouard Mendy (Senegal), David Raya (Spain), Unai Simón (Spain), Vozinha (Cape Verde), Safonov (Russia).
World’s Best Women’s Goalkeeper:
Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany), Cata Coll (Spain), Hannah Hampton (England), Lorena (Brazil), Ayaka Yamashita (Japan).
Best Young Player:
Bouaddi, Maza, Kerim Alajbegović (Bosnia), Pau Cubarsí (Spain), Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast), Lennart Karl (Germany), Elie Junior Kroupi (France), Lamine Yamal (Spain), Johan Manzambi (Switzerland), Warren Zaïre-Emery (France).