Top 10 contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or
By Joel Masibo, August 19, 2026The 2026 Ballon d’Or race has become increasingly difficult to predict following an eventful 2026 World Cup. Spain’s triumph at the tournament has altered the pecking order, while several players have strengthened their claims through outstanding club campaigns.
France Football is scheduled to present the award on October 26 in London, with the initial 30-player shortlist expected to be announced in early September. The assessment period is understood to cover performances from August 2025 through early August 2026.
With the World Cup now included in the equation, the final outcome could depend heavily on how voters balance international achievements against performances at club level.
10. Fabian Ruiz – Spain/Paris Saint-Germain
Fabian Ruiz has enjoyed an extraordinary year when it comes to collecting major trophies.
The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder helped his club secure the Champions League before adding the World Cup with Spain. He also ended the campaign with Ligue 1, the UEFA Super Cup, the Intercontinental Cup and the Trophée des Champions.
His individual contribution was not quite as dominant as some of the other leading candidates, with injuries affecting his PSG campaign. He also initially found himself behind Pedri in Spain’s midfield hierarchy before establishing a more prominent role.
Nevertheless, winning both the Champions League and World Cup gives Ruiz a strong case for a place among the final 10.
PSG statistics: 2 goals, 5 assists
2025-26 trophies: World Cup, Champions League, Ligue 1, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, Trophée des Champions
World Cup: 8 appearances, 1 goal
9. Erling Haaland – Norway/Manchester City
Erling Haaland once again produced impressive scoring numbers for Manchester City, although his overall influence in the biggest matches remained a talking point.
The Norwegian striker scored regularly but could not prevent City from exiting the Champions League against Real Madrid, despite finding the net in the second leg.
His first World Cup offered a major boost to his individual case. Haaland helped Norway reach the quarter-finals and scored seven times, including hat-tricks against Iraq, Senegal and Brazil.
However, the absence of major European and domestic league honours is likely to limit his chances of challenging for the top positions.
Manchester City statistics: 38 goals, 9 assists
2025-26 trophies: League Cup, FA Cup
World Cup: 7 goals in 5 appearances
8. Rodri – Spain/Barcelona
Rodri emerged from the World Cup as one of the tournament’s most influential players.
After spending a prolonged period dealing with injuries and enduring an inconsistent campaign at Manchester City, the midfielder reminded football fans of the qualities that earned him the Ballon d’Or in 2024.
He was central to Spain’s approach, contributing in possession, pressing, recovering the ball and controlling matches from midfield. His display in Spain’s 2-0 semi-final victory over France was particularly impressive.
Rodri’s World Cup performance could therefore push him considerably higher in the final voting, despite the difficulties he experienced at club level.
Manchester City statistics: 2 goals
2025-26 trophies: World Cup, League Cup, FA Cup
World Cup: 8 appearances
7. Michael Olise – France/Bayern Munich
Michael Olise was arguably one of the most exciting attacking players of the season and has produced numbers that make his Ballon d’Or case impossible to ignore.
His close control, creativity, dribbling and ability to produce disguised passes helped him become one of Europe’s leading assist providers. His seven assists at the World Cup also set a new record for a single edition of the tournament.
The biggest criticism concerns his performances in decisive matches. His contribution dropped during Bayern’s Champions League semi-final second leg against PSG, while his influence also diminished during France’s closing World Cup fixtures.
At only 24, however, Olise’s outstanding campaign suggests that a serious Ballon d’Or challenge may be only a matter of time.
Bayern Munich statistics: 22 goals, 31 assists
2025-26 trophies: Bundesliga, German Cup, German Super Cup
World Cup: 7 assists in 8 appearances
6. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Georgia/Paris Saint-Germain
Kvaratskhelia’s absence from the World Cup could ultimately prove costly in the Ballon d’Or voting.
The Georgian winger was one of the key figures behind PSG’s latest Champions League success, delivering goals, assists and decisive contributions throughout the latter stages. He was particularly influential during the club’s final eight matches of the competition and played a major role in their triumph.
If the award were judged exclusively on club performances, Kvaratskhelia would have a compelling argument for the top position.
But with the World Cup carrying considerable significance in a World Cup year, missing the tournament has left him at a disadvantage compared with several of his rivals.
PSG statistics: 19 goals, 11 assists
2025-26 trophies: Champions League, Ligue 1, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, Trophée des Champions
5. Lionel Messi – Argentina/Inter Miami
At 39, Messi produced another remarkable international campaign.
The Argentine captain contributed 12 goals and assists combined as Argentina reached the World Cup final. His three-goal performance against Algeria and his two assists during the semi-final comeback against England were among the tournament’s standout moments.
A ninth Ballon d’Or would probably have required Argentina to lift the World Cup. His club football in MLS also puts him at a disadvantage compared with players competing regularly in Europe’s biggest competitions.
Even so, his World Cup performance should ensure that the legendary forward remains among the leading names under consideration.
Inter Miami statistics: 13 goals, 7 assists
2025-26 trophy: MLS
World Cup: 8 goals, 4 assists in 8 appearances
4. Kylian Mbappe – France/Real Madrid
Mbappe would arguably be the strongest candidate if the Ballon d’Or were based solely on the World Cup.
The France captain finished as the tournament’s leading scorer and strengthened his standing as the most prolific scorer in World Cup history. Once again, the competition brought out his best.
However, France fell short of winning the trophy, while Real Madrid completed a campaign without silverware. Those factors could significantly damage his overall chances despite his exceptional individual numbers.
Mbappe was also among the world’s most productive players during the early stages of the club season, giving him a substantial body of work to present to voters.
Real Madrid statistics: 42 goals, 7 assists
2025-26 trophies: None
World Cup: 10 goals, 4 assists in 8 appearances
3. Ousmane Dembele – France/Paris Saint-Germain
Dembele’s season appeared to be heading in a difficult direction after injury problems disrupted the middle portion of the campaign. His form improved dramatically during the second half of the season, however, putting him back into contention.
The reigning Ballon d’Or winner played an important role in PSG’s Champions League triumph. He scored twice against Liverpool in the quarter-final second leg, found the net three times across the two semi-final matches against Bayern Munich and converted his penalty in the final.
His World Cup campaign was less convincing. France failed to win the tournament, and although Dembele recorded six goals, he was arguably the least influential of the country’s three principal attacking players.
He therefore enters the voting with a powerful Champions League case but a less convincing international résumé.
PSG statistics: 20 goals, 11 assists
2025-26 trophies: Champions League, Ligue 1, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, Trophée des Champions
World Cup: 6 goals, 2 assists in 8 appearances
2. Lamine Yamal – Spain/Barcelona
Yamal remains firmly in the Ballon d’Or conversation after another exceptional season.
The Barcelona teenager helped Spain win the World Cup and also collected a LaLiga title and Spanish Super Cup. At just 19, his list of achievements is already remarkable.
However, his influence at the World Cup was not as spectacular as some expected. He contributed one goal and won a penalty in eight matches, with his willingness to work for the team sometimes taking priority over his individual numbers.
His Barcelona campaign was also slightly less complete than the previous season, while the club’s Champions League exit in the quarter-finals remains a weakness in his résumé.
With several Spanish players competing for votes after winning the World Cup, Yamal could also face competition from teammates for support.
Barcelona statistics: 24 goals, 18 assists
2025-26 trophies: World Cup, LaLiga, Spanish Super Cup
World Cup: 1 goal in 8 appearances
1. Harry Kane – England/Bayern Munich
Harry Kane has perhaps the strongest case of any player to have combined exceptional club and international performances throughout the season.
The Bayern Munich striker finished as Europe’s leading scorer and demonstrated his versatility by contributing both as a conventional number nine and as a deeper creator.
Although Bayern fell in the Champions League semi-finals, Kane made his presence felt against top opposition, scoring in both legs against Real Madrid and PSG.
He also enjoyed a productive World Cup, scoring twice in two separate matches, including a brace that helped England overturn a last-16 deficit against DR Congo.
His influence declined during the latter stages of the tournament, and he does not have either the Champions League or World Cup title on his résumé. Nevertheless, his extraordinary goalscoring record and consistency across the season could make him a surprise winner at the age of 33.
Bayern Munich statistics: 61 goals, 7 assists
2025-26 trophies: Bundesliga, German Cup, German Super Cup
World Cup: 6 goals, 1 assist in 7 appearances
The 2026 Ballon d’Or race remains wide open
The World Cup has completely reshaped a Ballon d’Or contest that appeared much easier to predict after the conclusion of the club season.
Several players now have convincing arguments. Dembele has the Champions League and an impressive PSG campaign behind him, while Yamal can point to World Cup and LaLiga success despite a relatively quiet tournament statistically.
Kane boasts extraordinary numbers across both stages of the season but missed out on the two biggest international and European trophies. Mbappe remains a major contender because of his remarkable World Cup campaign, even though Real Madrid ended the season without silverware.
Ultimately, there may be no obvious winner. Much could depend on how individual voters balance performances for clubs against what players achieved at the World Cup.
With so many credible candidates, the 2026 Ballon d’Or could go down to the wire.