2026 Ballon d'Or Nominees Release Date Confirmed

France Football announced that the shortlist of 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or will be revealed on September 8, 2026. The voting process for the men's award involves a panel of journalists, with one representative from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA world rankings.

For the women's category, a smaller jury of 50 panellists will cast votes. The eligibility window for performances considered for this year's award closed on July 31, 2026, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup being the last major international competition factored into the assessments.

The conclusion of the World Cup is expected to influence the nominations significantly, with standout performers anticipated to be included among the 30 nominees. Michel Platini, a former President and three-time Ballon d'Or winner, has named Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as the potential winner of the 2026 award.