Women's Ballon d'Or 2026 shortlist announced

The 30-player shortlist for the 2026 women's Ballon d’Or has been announced, featuring prominent stars from across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Following the absence of 2025 winner Aitana Bonmatí due to injury, the race appears highly competitive.

FC Barcelona Femení maintains a strong presence with five nominees: Ewa Pajor, Caroline Graham Hansen, Patri Guijarro, Cata Coll, and Esmee Brugts. Ewa Pajor is noted as a top contender after scoring 34 goals. Manchester City is also well-represented, with Khadija Shaw appearing as a major candidate following a 36-goal season.

French players Selma Bacha, Melvine Malard, and Wendie Renard are among the nominees. Other notable clubs represented include Olympique Lyonnais, which has four players on the list, and Chelsea.

Separately, UEFA’s director of women’s football, Nadine Kessler, commented on the dominance of Barcelona, noting that the club’s success is the result of years of hard work and previous Champions League experiences. Kessler also expressed optimism regarding European competitiveness in the upcoming 2027 World Cup, while acknowledging strong contenders like Brazil and the USA.