France Football has officially released the shortlist of nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards, setting the stage for another fierce battle for football’s most prestigious individual honour.
The organisers published the nomination lists on their official platform on Tuesday, with the leading stars of world football again competing for recognition across several categories.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele enters the race as the reigning Ballon d’Or holder after defeating Barcelona youngster **Lamine Yamal to claim the prestigious award last year.
Dembele will now face another highly competitive field as he seeks to retain the crown and become one of the latest players to win the award in successive years.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place in London, United Kingdom, on October 26, where the winners across the various categories will be unveiled.
France Football is expected to announce nominees across the major individual and club-related categories, with the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards attracting particular attention from football fans worldwide.
The announcement has already intensified debate over the leading contenders, with performances during the 2025/26 season set to play a major role in determining the eventual winners.
As the countdown to the London ceremony begins, all eyes will be on whether Dembele can successfully defend his crown or whether a new name will emerge as the world’s best footballer.
