The countdown to one of football’s most anticipated nights has begun.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or will be presented on Monday, October 26, 2026, in London, England, marking the first time the prestigious ceremony has been held in the English capital. The move from Paris is particularly symbolic because the inaugural Ballon d’Or winner in 1956 was English football legend Sir Stanley Matthews.
The award will recognise the outstanding players of the 2025/26 season, with performances for both club and country taken into consideration. For the men’s award, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is also part of the assessment.
And with the World Cup now in the books, the race for the golden trophy has become even more intriguing.
Harry Kane emerges as a leading contender
Among the names dominating early predictions is Harry Kane.
The England captain has enjoyed a remarkable campaign with Bayern Munich, combining his extraordinary goalscoring numbers with major team success. His form has strengthened the argument that this could finally be the year he adds the Ballon d’Or to his collection of individual honours.
Kane’s case is particularly compelling because the Ballon d’Or is not simply about scoring goals. Voters consider a player’s individual performances, achievements and influence throughout the season.
Lamine Yamal remains a major threat
At just 19, Lamine Yamal continues to look like one of the biggest challengers.
The Barcelona and Spain star has already established himself among the world’s elite, and his performances on the biggest stages have strengthened his claim.
A combination of domestic success with Barcelona and international glory with Spain could make Yamal’s case extremely difficult to ignore.
Should he win, it would further underline his remarkable rise from teenage sensation to global superstar.
Mbappé still in the conversation
Kylian Mbappé is another name that cannot be dismissed.
The Real Madrid forward remains one of the most prolific attackers in world football and produced another impressive campaign individually.
However, the Frenchman’s chances could depend heavily on how voters weigh individual brilliance against collective trophies.
With competition at the top so fierce, every major performance can make a difference.
Rodri’s influence could count
Spain midfielder Rodri is also expected to feature prominently in discussions surrounding the award.
Unlike the traditional goalscorers who often dominate Ballon d’Or conversations, Rodri’s influence comes through his control of games, tactical intelligence and ability to dictate the tempo from midfield.
His importance to Spain’s World Cup triumph has added another significant achievement to his résumé.
What about Lionel Messi?
Even at this stage of his legendary career, Lionel Messi remains a name capable of attracting attention.
The Argentine, who has won the Ballon d’Or a record eight times, continues to produce moments that remind football fans why he has dominated the award for so long.
However, competing against younger stars in a season shaped by the World Cup makes another victory considerably more difficult.
How is the Ballon d’Or decided?
The Ballon d’Or is decided by an international jury of journalists.
For the men’s award, 100 journalists representing the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings participate in the voting. The women’s award is decided by 50 journalists representing the top 50 countries.
Voters assess players based on their performances and achievements during the relevant season, including domestic competitions, international tournaments and the Champions League.
That means statistics alone do not determine the winner. Goals, assists and trophies matter, but so do individual performances, influence and the overall impact a player has on his team.
When will the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner be crowned?
The winners will be revealed at the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony on October 26, 2026, in London.
The event will also crown the successor to Ousmane Dembélé, who won the men’s Ballon d’Or in 2025, while Aitana Bonmatí was crowned the women’s winner.
The London ceremony is expected to attract some of the biggest names in world football, making the 2026 edition particularly historic.
The big question
With Kane, Yamal, Mbappé, Rodri and several other stars in contention, one question will dominate football conversations in the weeks ahead:
Who deserves to be crowned the best footballer in the world?
The answer will finally arrive in London on October 26.
