The much-anticipated 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony is set to take place in London on October 26. This esteemed award will recognize outstanding performances spanning from August 2025 to July 2026. The forthcoming FIFA World Cup, hosted in North America, is expected to sway the final nominations significantly. Among the frontrunners, Harry Kane stands out, yet Spain's World Cup triumph could heighten the spotlight on its players.

The 30-player shortlists for the Men's and Women's Ballon d'Or have been released.

Ousmane Dembélé took home the award in 2025 after a stellar year.

Harry Kane leads the 2026 Ballon d'Or prediction markets. Kane winning at 63% YES.