9 September 2026
France Football magazine and UEFA have revealed the final list of nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, featuring 30 players competing for the title of the world's best player. The list includes some of football's biggest stars—led by Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Ousmane Dembélé, and Erling Haaland—alongside others who shone during the past season and with their national teams at the 2026 World Cup.
Notably, Lionel Messi—an eight-time winner—remains on the list despite his advancing age, while reigning champion Ousmane Dembélé enters the race again to defend his title.
The list also features Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, Senegal's Sadio Mané (representing Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr), and Mexico's Julián Quiñones (striker for Al-Qadsiah), marking the inclusion of a duo from the Saudi Roshn League among the nominees.
Players from European champions Paris Saint-Germain dominated the list with nine nominees, while the Spanish national team—the world champions—also enjoyed strong representation.
In one of the list's biggest surprises, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo was absent from the Ballon d'Or race, ending a long streak of appearances among the nominees.
The list also notably excluded Egypt's Mohamed Salah, Brazil's Raphinha, and Spain's Pedri, despite their impressive performances in recent seasons.
Full list of nominees:
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona, Spain)
Marc Cucurella (Chelsea, Spain)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
Luis Díaz (Bayern Munich, Colombia)
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, Portugal)
Gabriel (Arsenal, Brazil)
Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)
Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco)
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain, Georgia)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr, Senegal)
Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain, Brazil)
Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan, Argentina)
Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid, France)
Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina)
João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Michael Olise (Bayern Munich, France)
Willian Pacho (Paris Saint-Germain, Ecuador)
Julián Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah, Mexico)
Declan Rice (Arsenal, England)
Rodri (Manchester City, Spain)
Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain, Spain)
William Saliba (Arsenal, France)
Ferran Torres (Barcelona, Spain)
Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich, France)
Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid, Brazil)
Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
The winner of the Ballon d'Or is set to be revealed during a ceremony scheduled for October 26, 2026, in London. The event will also see the announcement of winners for other awards, including the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper and the Kopa Trophy for best young player.
