2026 Ballon d’Or: PSG, Arsenal, Bayern Munich among Club of the Year nominees as Harry Kane emerges as favorite. Check full list of contenders

The 2026 Ballon d’Or is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched editions of football’s most prestigious individual awards, with the ceremony set to take place in London on October 26.

The 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony will recognize performances between August 3, 2025, and July 19, 2026 — a period that includes the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

That World Cup could play a major role in deciding this year’s individual awards. While England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is among the leading contenders for the men’s Ballon d’Or after another prolific season, Spain’s World Cup triumph could give several of its stars a major boost when the final 30-player shortlist is considered.


Meanwhile, the nominees for the Men’s and Women’s Club of the Year awards have already been revealed, with reigning men’s champion Paris Saint-Germain looking to defend its crown.

2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony date and eligibility period

The 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held in London, England, on Monday, October 26, 2026.

France Football, which organizes the awards, has begun unveiling nominees across the various categories.

This year's awards cover performances from August 3, 2025, through July 19, 2026. Crucially, the period includes the 2026 FIFA World Cup, meaning performances at football's biggest international tournament will form part of the voting picture.

That could make the 2026 Ballon d’Or particularly difficult to predict.

Historically, the award has rarely been decided by goals and statistics alone. Success in major competitions, memorable performances, trophies and individual influence can all shape the final vote.

PSG looking to win Men's Club of the Year again

Paris Saint-Germain are among the strongest candidates for the Men's Club of the Year award after another extraordinary European campaign.

PSG won the 2025 award after becoming European champions, and they have continued their dominance by retaining their Champions League crown.

The award is not simply about identifying the club with the best statistics. France Football considers several factors, including trophies won, memorable moments, overachievement and fair play.

PSG's continued success across Europe therefore puts them in a strong position to become the first club to claim the men's prize in consecutive years.

Arsenal challenge PSG after Premier League and Champions League success

Arsenal are another major contender.

Under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners won their first Premier League title in 22 years, ending a long wait for domestic championship glory.

Their European campaign was similarly impressive, although they ultimately fell to PSG in the Champions League final following a penalty shootout.

Arsenal's combination of domestic success and a deep Champions League run makes them one of the strongest alternatives to PSG.

The club is also looking toward continued domestic dominance, with ambitions of retaining the Premier League title and making another push for European glory.

Bayern Munich and Harry Kane headline another contender

Bayern Munich are also on the men's shortlist after winning the Bundesliga.

The German giants were recognized for their attacking football throughout the season, with England striker Harry Kane at the center of their goalscoring success.

Bayern also reached the Champions League semifinals, where they were involved in a memorable tie against PSG.

The European semifinal is expected to remain one of the defining moments of Bayern's season and is another reason the club has been included among the contenders for Club of the Year.

Kane's individual performances could also have an impact beyond the club award.

The England captain is considered one of the leading candidates for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, following a prolific campaign for Bayern Munich.

Bodø/Glimt make the shortlist after stunning European run

Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt provide one of the most intriguing names on the men's shortlist.

The club earned widespread attention during its Champions League campaign after defeating much more heavily favored opponents, including Atlético Madrid and Manchester City.

Their performances represented one of the competition's biggest underdog stories and helped put Bodø/Glimt on the Ballon d'Or Club of the Year radar.

Their nomination also illustrates why the award is not simply a trophy for the biggest clubs in world football.

Flamengo round out the men's nominees

Brazilian giants Flamengo complete the men's Club of the Year shortlist.

The club enjoyed a hugely successful domestic and continental campaign, winning the Copa Libertadores for the third time in six years.

They also secured the Campeonato Brasileiro, giving them another major domestic trophy to add to their continental success.

Flamengo's achievements give South American football representation among a shortlist otherwise dominated by European clubs.

Barcelona back among Women's Club of the Year favorites

The Women's Club of the Year award has been presented since 2023, and Barcelona have played a major role in its short history.

Barcelona won the first two editions before Arsenal claimed the award in 2025 following their Champions League triumph.

Now Barcelona are back among the favorites.

The Spanish club combined European success with a domestic treble, further strengthening their reputation as one of the dominant forces in women's football.

Their latest campaign gives them another opportunity to reclaim the award.

Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Lyonnes and Club América nominated

Barcelona will face competition from four other major clubs.

Bayern Munich earned their place after winning the German championship, while Manchester City are nominated after claiming the English title.

France's OL Lyonnes also feature after winning the French championship.

Completing the five-team women's shortlist are Club América, who won the Concacaf W Champions Cup.

The diverse shortlist reflects the increasingly global nature of women's club football, with European champions joined by a leading club from North America.

Harry Kane vs Spain's World Cup stars

While the Club of the Year awards are beginning to take shape, the biggest question remains the men's Ballon d'Or.

Harry Kane is considered the bookmakers' favorite after another remarkable season with Bayern Munich.

But a World Cup year introduces another major variable.

Spain's victory in North America is expected to result in several players appearing among the 30 Ballon d'Or nominees. Players such as Rodri and Lamine Yamal are among the names expected to attract attention following Spain's triumph.

Argentina also pushed Spain closely, while England and France reached the semifinals. As a result, all three nations are expected to have multiple representatives among the nominees.

The World Cup could therefore significantly reshape the Ballon d'Or race.

Why the 2026 World Cup could decide the Ballon d'Or

Goals matter, but the history of the Ballon d'Or shows that the award is about much more than a player's scoring tally.

Major trophies, performances in decisive matches and influence on a successful team can all have an important impact.

That becomes especially significant during World Cup years.

A player who delivers on the biggest international stage can potentially transform their Ballon d'Or prospects in a matter of weeks. Spain's triumph could therefore provide a major boost to its leading players, while Kane's case will rely heavily on his extraordinary club campaign and his performances for England.

The final 30-player shortlist should provide a clearer picture of the race.

What to expect from the 2026 Ballon d'Or

The 2026 Ballon d'Or promises an unusually competitive contest because it combines an entire club season with the influence of a World Cup.

At club level, PSG have a strong argument after retaining their Champions League crown. Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodø/Glimt and Flamengo each offer compelling cases of their own.

In women's football, Barcelona will attempt to reclaim the Club of the Year award after another dominant campaign, while Bayern Munich, Manchester City, OL Lyonnes and Club América will challenge them.

For the men's individual prize, Kane enters the conversation as one of the leading favorites. Yet Spain's World Cup triumph means the race could be far more complicated than the bookmakers' early predictions suggest.

Ultimately, the 2026 awards will ask a familiar question: who had the greatest season when the biggest matches mattered most?

And with the Ballon d'Or ceremony arriving in London on October 26, football fans will soon find out which performances were enough to answer it.