Sports · Football · 1 hr ago
Ballon d’Or 2026 set for an unusually uncertain result
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place in London on Monday, October 26.
The award recognizes the best football players of the 2025–26 season, with prizes for men and women.
There is no clear favorite in the men’s contest, with Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal among the names tipped to win.
The women’s contest is also open, as Aitana Bonmatí was injured during the season.
Voting has been closed for three weeks, and the winners are due to be announced at the ceremony.
Voters assess individual performance, team achievements and trophies, and fair play.
The vote details will be published later in France Football magazine.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for London on Monday, October 26.
The award is unusually hard to predict, with no clear favourite and several leading candidates.
Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are among the names discussed.
The award recognises the best player of the 2025-2026 season under criteria that prioritise individual performance.
The vote has been closed for three weeks, and its details are expected in a forthcoming issue of France Football.
- Who
- Footballers including Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are among the candidates discussed.
- What
- The 2026 Ballon d’Or winner will be announced at the award ceremony.
- When
- Monday, October 26, 2026; the ceremony is scheduled to begin at 21:00.
- Where
- London.
- Why
- The award recognises the best player of the 2025-2026 season, judged by individual performance, collective performance and honours, and fair play.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final, after which predictions and campaigning for the award proliferated.
Voting for the 2026 Ballon d’Or closed.
The 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place in London.
- Ceremony
- London, October 26, 2026
- Edition
- 70th Ballon d’Or
- Candidates mentioned
- Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
- Voting status
- Closed three weeks before the ceremony
- Award criteria
- Individual performance; collective performance and honours; class and fair play
4 sources
Ballon d'Or 2026: Where to watch, start time, how does voting work as Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal eye prize
Un Ballon d’or serré comme jamais : à Londres, l’épilogue du meilleur thriller footballistique de l’année
Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi ou un autre : jamais l'identité du vainqueur du Ballon d'Or n'a été aussi incertaine
Football : qui va gagner le Ballon d'or 2026 ?
What people are saying
Tous les joueurs cités sont candidats au Ballon d'or mais c'est une année particulière, il n'y a pas de grand favori.