Ballon d'Or 2026: Nominee announcement delayed as race intensifies

France Football has not yet released the list of 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, despite the ceremony being scheduled for October 26 in London. This delay follows a different timeline than the 2025 edition, where nominees were announced in early August.

The delay may be attributed to the recent FIFA World Cup, which concluded on July 19 and falls within the evaluation period for this year's trophy. Additionally, the ceremony's timing aligns more closely with the 2024 schedule, which saw a later announcement in September.

Following the UEFA Super Cup on August 12, where Paris Saint-Germain defeated Aston Villa 2-1, the race for the award has intensified. Current contenders include Harry Kane, who leads the rankings following a prolific season with Bayern Munich, and the reigning winner Ousmane Dembélé. Lamine Yamal also remains a top candidate following successful campaigns with Barcelona and the Spanish national team.