Ballon d’Or 2026 winner decided ahead of October announcement

The 2026 Ballon d’Or winner has already been decided following the voting process completed on September 28, though the official announcement is scheduled for October 26 in London. The voting involves 100 journalists, one from each of the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations, who each select a top ten list using a specific points system. Among the 30 nominees are prominent players such as Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, and Harry Kane.

In Germany, Karlheinz Wild of kicker acted as the national representative for the vote. Meanwhile, in international play, Michael Olise delivered a standout performance for France in the Nations League, scoring twice and providing an assist in a 4-1 victory over Belgium under new coach Zinedine Zidane. Olise’s performance has also drawn attention to his reserved public persona, leading to discussions regarding his media presence.

Separately, Manchester City faces potential sanctions from the Premier League for alleged breaches of financial regulations between 2009 and 2018. The investigation into suspected sham sponsorship deals could result in fines, point deductions, or even expulsion from the league. This uncertainty impacts star players like Erling Haaland, whose contract runs until 2034 and lacks relegation clauses.