The organisers of the Ballon d’Or have confirmed that the official 30-man shortlist for the 2026 award will be unveiled on September 8.
The announcement has intensified the debate over which players will make the final shortlist and emerge as the leading contenders for the prestigious individual prize.
The 2025/2026 football season concluded with the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, setting the stage for one of the most closely contested Ballon d’Or races in recent history.
The voting jury, made up of 100 international journalists from the top-ranked FIFA nations, will assess individual performances alongside team success and major trophies.
With the shortlist announcement fast approaching, here are the current top five favourites for the 2026 Ballon d’Or:
5. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi’s inclusion among the leading contenders highlights the huge influence of the World Cup on the Ballon d’Or race.
The 39-year-old’s domestic performances in Major League Soccer alone would arguably not be enough to put him among the favourites.
However, Messi scored eight goals at the 2026 World Cup for Argentina before they eventually lost 1-0 to Spain in the final.
4. Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé remains one of the leading contenders despite still waiting to win his first Ballon d’Or.
The 27-year-old enjoyed another outstanding campaign, scoring 42 goals in 44 appearances for Real Madrid, although the Spanish giants failed to win a major trophy.
Mbappé’s World Cup performance has significantly boosted his chances. The France captain won the Golden Boot after scoring eight goals and became the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer.
3. Lamine Yamal
At just 19, Lamine Yamal is already being tipped as a potential Ballon d’Or winner for years to come, and 2026 could be the year he claims his first prize.
The Barcelona and Spain winger made history by becoming the youngest player to feature in and win both a European Championship and a World Cup final.
Yamal also enjoyed a prolific season, registering 24 goals and 18 assists as Barcelona secured another LaLiga title.
2. Harry Kane
Harry Kane enters the Ballon d’Or race as one of the strongest contenders following a remarkable campaign with Bayern Munich.
The England captain scored 61 goals in 51 appearances, helping Bayern secure a domestic league and cup double.
Kane also won the European Golden Shoe for his prolific scoring record.
Although England failed to win the World Cup, Kane scored six goals as the Three Lions reached a historic third-place finish in North America.
1. Rodri
Rodri is currently ranked as the leading favourite for the 2026 Ballon d’Or after playing a central role in Spain’s World Cup triumph.
The Manchester City midfielder dominated proceedings from the heart of Spain’s midfield, providing defensive stability while controlling the tempo of their matches.
His performances earned him the World Cup Golden Ball, beating several high-profile attacking players, including Mbappé and Messi.
With the official 30-man shortlist set to be announced on September 8, the race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or could still change significantly before voting is concluded.
