The race for the Ballon d’Or 2026 has officially ignited now that the 48-team World Cup is underway in North America, with the first round of fixtures already shaking up the individual power rankings.
However, the first 24 games have already ignited the race for individual immortality.
While the collective trophy is the main objective, the opening round of fixtures immediately established who will be fighting for the prestigious Golden Ball—the award given to the tournament’s best player for all-round excellence and impact.
Historically, this prize has favored clinical strikers and generational icons, from Diego Maradona and Ronaldo to recent active legends like Luka Modrić. But after an explosive opening round of fixtures, the power rankings for the 2026 Golden Ball and the looming Ballon d’Or race have received a massive shakeup.
Here is how the top contenders stand after the first round of World Cup action.
