The nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or have been unveiled as the prestigious award marks its 70th year of honouring outstanding achievements in football.
The nominations were announced by the organisers on their official X handle on Tuesday, with players, coaches and clubs recognised for their performances during the 2025/26 season.
In addition to the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or categories, nominees were also announced for Striker of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Coach of the Year, Club of the Year and other individual awards.
30 Men shortlist:
- Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
- Pau Cubarsí (Spain, Barcelona)
- Marc Cucurella (Spain, Chelsea/Real Madrid)
- Ousmane Dembélé (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Luis Díaz (Colombia, Bayern München)
- Bruno Fernandes (Portugal, Manchester United)
- Gabriel (Brazil, Arsenal)
- Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Harry Kane (England, Bayern München)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
- Sadio Mané (Senegal, Al-Nassr)
- Marquinhos (Brazil, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Lautaro Martínez (Argentina, Inter)
- Kylian Mbappé (France, Real Madrid)
- Nuno Mendes (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami)
- João Neves (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Michael Olise (France, Bayern München)
- Willian Pacho (Ecuador, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Julián Quiñones (Mexico, Al-Qadsiah)
- Declan Rice (England, Arsenal)
- Rodri (Spain, Manchester City/Barcelona)
- Fabián Ruiz (Spain, Paris Saint-Germain)
- William Saliba (France, Arsenal)
- Ferran Torres (Spain, Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain)
- Dayot Upamecano (France, Bayern)
- Vinícius Júnior (Brazil, Real Madrid)
- Vitinha (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
Men’s Coach of the Year
- Mikel Arteta — Arsenal
- Luis de la Fuente — Spain National Team
- Unai Emery — Aston Villa
- Vincent Kompany — Bayern Munich
- Luis Enrique — Paris Saint-Germain
Women’s Coach of the Year
- Jonatan Giráldez — OL Lyonnes
- Andrée Jeglertz — Manchester City Women
- Nils Nielsen — Japan National Team
- Pere Romeu — FC Barcelona Femeni
- Elena Sadiku — Celtic FC Women/BK Häcken
Men’s Club of the Year
- Arsenal
- Bayern Munich
- Bodø/Glimt
- Flamengo
- Paris Saint-Germain
Women’s Club of the Year
- FC Barcelona
- Bayern Munich
- Club América
- Manchester City
- OL Lyonnes
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year
- Ann-Katrin Berger — Gotham FC/England
- Cata Coll — FC Barcelona Femeni/Spain
- Hannah Hampton — Chelsea FC/England
- Lorena — Kansas City Current/Brazil
- Ayaka Yamashita — Manchester City Women
Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year
- Yassine Bounou — Al-Hilal/Morocco
- Thibaut Courtois — Real Madrid/Belgium
- Joan García — FC Barcelona/Spain
- Gregor Kobel — Borussia Dortmund/Switzerland
- Emiliano Martínez –Aston Villa, Chelsea/Argentina
- Edouard Mendy — Al-Ahli/Senegal
- David Raya –Arsenal/Spain
- Matvey Safonov — Paris Saint-Germain/Russia
- Unai Simón — Athletic Bilbao/Spain
- Vozinha (Josimar Dias) — GD Chaves, Colo-Colo/Cape Verde
The full nominations span several categories, recognising the players, coaches and clubs that stood out across the 2025/26 football season.