Organizers of the Ballon d’Or have confirmed that the official 30-man shortlist for the 2026 award will be revealed on September 8, increasing debate following the end of the 2025/2026 European season and the FIFA World Cup in North America.
With the international media jury, made up of top journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations, assessing both individual performances and major trophies, the race for football's highest individual honor remains very competitive.
Here is the ranking of the top five favorites before the official shortlist is announced:
1. Rodri (Manchester City / Spain)
At the top of the rankings, Rodri strengthened his reputation as a clutch performer by controlling the midfield for World Cup champions Spain. Serving as the tactical anchor throughout the tournament, the midfielder was awarded the World Cup Golden Ball, positioning him as the early favorite for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
2. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich / England)
Kane enters the final voting stage following an outstanding individual season, scoring 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern Munich, securing a domestic double and winning the European Golden Shoe. Internationally, he added six goals to lead England to third place at the World Cup.
3. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
The 19-year-old Barcelona winger continues his rapid ascent, making history as the youngest player to participate in and win both a European Championship and a World Cup final. Yamal scored 24 goals and provided 18 assists during the season, helping Barcelona win the LaLiga title and playing a critical role in Spain's world title run.
4. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid / France)
Mbappé remains a strong candidate after a record-breaking year. The 27-year-old won the World Cup Golden Boot in North America, becoming the all-time top goalscorer in the tournament's history. At the club level, he scored 42 goals in 44 matches for Real Madrid.
5. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami / Argentina)
Messi’s presence among the top contenders highlights the significance of the FIFA World Cup. Although his domestic appearances in Major League Soccer were less emphasized, the 39-year-old Argentina captain scored eight goals during the tournament, leading his country to the final before losing to Spain.
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