Ballon d’Or 2026 nominees set to be announced as football stars await shortlist

Tuesday 08 September 2026 - 13:19

By: Azzat Manal

Ballon d’Or 2026 nominees set to be announced as football stars await shortlist

Football fans around the world are turning their attention to the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards, with France Football scheduled to unveil the official list of nominees on Tuesday, September 8.

The men’s Ballon d’Or shortlist will feature 30 players competing for the prestigious individual award, while the women’s category will also include 30 nominees. The announcement will be made through the official Ballon d’Or website and its social media platforms.

The nomination lists will cover several major categories, including the best men’s and women’s players, best goalkeepers, best young players, coaches and clubs. Awards will also recognize the best male and female forwards, alongside the Socrates Award.

Several of the world’s leading footballers are expected to feature among the nominees. Names such as Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembélé, Lamine Yamal and Rodri are among the players likely to attract significant attention as the shortlist is revealed.

Lionel Messi will also remain a central figure in the discussion surrounding the award. The Argentine superstar holds the record for the most Ballon d’Or victories, having won the prestigious trophy eight times.

The 2026 nominations come after another season in which individual performances, team success and major international competitions are expected to play an important role in the voting process. The award remains one of the most closely followed individual honors in world football.

France Football has scheduled the announcement of the nominees between noon and 5 p.m. Cairo time on September 8, giving supporters and clubs an eagerly anticipated look at the players and teams in contention for this year’s prizes.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony itself is scheduled to take place in London on Monday, October 26. The event will bring together leading players, coaches and football personalities for one of the most prominent nights on the international football calendar.

Beyond the headline men’s and women’s awards, the expanded list of categories reflects the broader recognition given to outstanding performances across different areas of the game. The final winners will ultimately emerge from the voting process conducted for the respective awards.

With the nomination announcement approaching, attention will now focus on which stars make the final 30-player lists and which emerging talents join the established names in the race for football’s most prestigious individual honors.