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Ballon d’Or 2026: Date set for unveiling nominees
31st August, 2026 10:41 PM
As the football world awaits to know who will be crowned the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner, the date for the unveiling of the nominees has been announced.
In a statement on Monday, August 31, 2026, the organisers revealed that the shortlists for every category would be unveiled on September 8, 2026.
Big names are already eyeing the coveted award after the 2026 World Cup, UEFA Champions League and other leagues across the globe. Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Declan Rice, Rodri, Ousmane Dembele, Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi are among the names expected to be considered.
The shortlist is also expected to have some surprises based on individual brilliance and general contribution to their respective teams.
The winner is expected to be named on Monday, October 26, 2026, in London, where the global footballing community will converge
The men’s winner will become the 70th champion. The women’s winner will be the eighth recipient.
How the voting works
Once the nominees are announced, an international jury of specialised journalists will cast their votes.
The panel consists of one representative per country from the top 100 nations in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking and the top 50 in the Women’s World Ranking.
Each voter selects their top choices based on three established criteria: individual and decisive performance, collective achievements and trophies won, and class and fair play on and off the pitch.
Using these metrics, each voting journalist selects and ranks 10 players from the shortlist, assigning 15 points for their first choice, down to a single point for their tenth.
The accumulated points will determine who takes home the prestigious trophies on October 26, 2026.
Categories in contention
Men’s Ballon d’Or – 30 players
Women’s Ballon d’Or – 30 players
Men’s Young Talent of the Year – 10 players
Women’s Young Talent of the Year – 5 players
Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year – 10 players
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year – 5 players
Men’s Coach of the Year – 5 coaches
Women’s Coach of the Year – 5 coaches
Men’s Striker of the Year – 10 strikers
Women’s Striker of the Year – 5 strikers
Men’s Club of the Year – 5 clubs
Women’s Club of the Year – 5 clubs
