The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or is entering its decisive stage, with organisers set to unveil the official 30-man shortlist on September 8.
The announcement will come after a dramatic 2025/26 season and the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Spain emerged as champions. The Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place in London on October 26.
The award is decided by an international jury of journalists representing the top 100 nations in the FIFA men’s ranking. Voters consider individual performances, team achievements and sporting conduct when determining their rankings.
Several of the world’s biggest stars are therefore competing for the prestigious prize, with five players emerging as major contenders ahead of the official shortlist.
5. Lionel Messi — Inter Miami/Argentina
At 39, Lionel Messi remains firmly in contention for another Ballon d’Or, largely because of his outstanding performance at what could be his final World Cup.
The Argentina captain scored eight goals and provided four assists during the tournament, helping his country reach the final before losing 1-0 to Spain after extra time.
Messi was subsequently awarded the World Cup Silver Ball, finishing behind Spain midfielder Rodri in the individual tournament awards.
4. Kylian Mbappé — Real Madrid/France
Kylian Mbappé strengthened his case with a remarkable World Cup campaign, despite France finishing fourth.
The Real Madrid forward scored 10 goals, making him the tournament’s leading scorer, and also contributed four assists. His goalscoring record took his World Cup total to 22, making him the competition’s all-time leading scorer.
Mbappé also enjoyed another prolific campaign with Real Madrid and remains one of the strongest individual candidates for the award.
3. Lamine Yamal — Barcelona/Spain
Lamine Yamal’s extraordinary rise continued in 2026 as the Barcelona winger played a significant role in Spain’s World Cup triumph.
The 19-year-old also helped Barcelona win LaLiga and was recognised as one of the standout performers of the campaign.
Yamal’s success with both club and country has placed him among the leading contenders, although the presence of several Spanish stars could potentially divide votes among players from the World Cup-winning team.
2. Harry Kane — Bayern Munich/England
Harry Kane enters the final stage of the Ballon d’Or race after another outstanding goalscoring season.
The England captain scored 36 Bundesliga goals and finished as the league’s leading scorer for the third consecutive season. He also netted 14 times in the Champions League and added six goals at the World Cup as England finished third.
Kane’s individual numbers and domestic success with Bayern Munich have made him one of the leading candidates. Recent power rankings have also placed the England striker at or near the top of the race.
1. Rodri — Manchester City/Spain
Rodri sits at the top of this particular ranking after producing a hugely influential performance during Spain’s World Cup-winning campaign.
The Manchester City midfielder was central to Spain’s control of matches and was named the 2026 World Cup Golden Ball winner, ahead of Messi and Mbappé.
His latest international success is particularly significant because Rodri already won the Ballon d’Or in 2024 after helping Manchester City win the Premier League and Spain claim the European Championship.
However, his 2025/26 club season was affected by injuries, meaning his World Cup performance could prove especially important to his chances of winning the award for a second time.
The official 30-man Ballon d’Or 2026 shortlist will be announced on September 8, providing the first definitive picture of which players remain in contention before the October 26 ceremony in London.
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