Softfootball can confirm The organisers of the Ballon d’Or have confirmed that the official 30-man shortlist for the 2026 edition of football’s most prestigious individual award will be unveiled on September 8.
The announcement is expected to intensify an already fascinating debate over which players will make the final list, particularly after a 2025/26 season that concluded with the World Cup in North America.
With the voting period covering performances on the biggest stage of the season, this year’s Ballon d’Or could produce one of the most closely contested races in the history of the award.
The jury is made up of journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries, with voters expected to consider individual performances, consistency, influence and major trophies won by the players’ respective teams.
Ahead of the official shortlist announcement, here is how the current top five favourites rank:
- Lionel Messi
Messi’s presence among the leading contenders demonstrates the enormous importance attached to the World Cup. The 39-year-old’s domestic performances in MLS alone would arguably not be enough to place him among the favourites, but his influence at the tournament has kept him firmly in contention.
The Argentina captain scored eight goals at the World Cup as his side progressed all the way to the final before eventually losing to Spain.
- Kylian Mbappé
At 27, Mbappé is still waiting to claim his first Ballon d’Or despite producing elite performances for almost a decade.
His chances appear particularly strong this year after winning the World Cup Golden Boot. The France forward is now the tournament’s all-time leading scorer and also enjoyed an outstanding campaign at club level, scoring 42 goals in 44 appearances for Real Madrid.
However, Real Madrid failed to win major silverware, something that could prove significant when voters make their final decisions.
- Lamine Yamal
At just 19, Lamine Yamal already looks like a player capable of dominating the Ballon d’Or conversation for years to come.
The Barcelona and Spain winger could claim his first award this year after another extraordinary campaign. Yamal made history by becoming the youngest player to feature in and win both a European Championship and a World Cup final.
He also produced impressive numbers for Barcelona, recording 24 goals and 18 assists as the Catalan giants secured another LaLiga title.
- Harry Kane
Harry Kane enters the voting process as another major contender after a remarkable season with Bayern Munich.
The England captain scored 61 goals in 51 appearances, helping Bayern secure a domestic league and cup double while also winning the European Golden Shoe.
Although England failed to win the World Cup, Kane still contributed six goals during their run to a historic third-place finish in North America.
- Rodri
Rodri currently sits at the top of the favourites after playing a central role in Spain’s World Cup triumph.
The Ballon d’Or jury has historically placed considerable importance on performances at the biggest tournaments, and Rodri delivered on that stage.
Operating at the heart of Spain’s midfield, the Manchester City midfielder served as the team’s defensive anchor and primary metronome throughout their successful campaign.
His influence earned him the World Cup Golden Ball, finishing ahead of prolific scorers such as Mbappé and Messi.
Speaking at a press conference, Enrique made it clear that he believes one of his PSG players has done enough to take home the individual prize.
His comments come with the Ballon d’Or ceremony expected to take place in October, meaning the September 8 shortlist announcement will provide the first major indication of which players remain in serious contention.
With the World Cup having played such a significant role in the season, alongside domestic performances and team success, the 2026 Ballon d’Or voting race promises to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory.
