# 2026 Ballon d'Or nominees and ceremony details > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/2026-ballon-dor-odds-debate > Updated: 2026-09-09T14:44:52.000Z. Sources: 409. Developments: 11. France Football has announced the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards, evaluating performances from the 2025-26 season and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. To mark the trophy’s 70th anniversary, the ceremony will be held at the London Palladium on October 26, marking the first time the event will be hosted in London rather than Paris. The men’s shortlist features high-profile contenders including Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, Vinícius Jr., and Lautaro Martínez. Lionel Messi returns for his 17th nomination, seeking a record-breaking ninth trophy. Notable omissions include Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah. Paris Saint-Germain shows strong representation with nominees including Ousmane Dembélé, the defending winner, Achraf Hakimi, Vitinha, and Nuno Mendes. In the specialized Ballon d’Or Club of the Year category, Flamengo has been nominated as the sole non-European finalist, competing against Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bodø/Glimt. Regarding the Women’s Ballon d’Or, Haitian international Melchie Dumornay of Olympique Lyonnais has emerged as a strong contender following a season in which she recorded 21 goals and 12 assists. The announcement also triggered controversy involving veteran defender Wendie Renard; the French Football Federation (FFF) faced criticism after its official account initially omitted Renard from its list of nominees. Renard, receiving her sixth nomination, expressed disappointment regarding the perceived lack of recognition, prompting the FFF to later correct the omission on social media. ## Claims - Lionel Messi is among the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. (disputed by 27 sources) - Mohamed Salah was not included in the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. (disputed by 3 sources) - France Football announced the nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or awards. (corroborated by 31 sources) - The 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony is scheduled for October 26 in London. (corroborated by 23 sources) - Achraf Hakimi is included in the list of 30 Ballon d'Or nominees. (corroborated by 22 sources) - Lamine Yamal is nominated for the best young player award. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Ten players have been nominated for the Yashin Trophy. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Ousmane Dembélé is the defending winner of the Ballon d'Or. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Kerem Alajbegović is among the 10 nominees for the Kopa Trophy. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Paris Saint-Germain has nine players nominated for the Ballon d'Or. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-09: Women's Ballon d'Or nominees spark debate and individual praise The 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or nominees include Melchie Dumornay, a top contender, while Wendie Renard has criticized the French Football Federation following her initial omission from official congratulations. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/womens-ballon-dor-nominees-spark-debate-and-individual-praise ### 2026-09-09: Sadio Mané and Achraf Hakimi named as sole African Ballon d’Or nominees Sadio Mané and Achraf Hakimi are the only African players nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, following successful seasons with Al Nassr and Paris Saint-Germain respectively. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sadio-man-and-achraf-hakimi-named-as-sole-african-ballon-dor-nominees ### 2026-09-08: Ballon d'Or nominees announced for individual categories Nominees for the Ballon d'Or individual awards, including best young player and goalkeeper, are being discussed ahead of the October ceremony in London. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ballon-dor-nominees-announced-for-individual-categories ### 2026-09-08: Flamengo nominated for 2026 Ballon d'Or Club of the Year Flamengo is the sole non-European nominee for the 2026 Ballon d'Or Club of the Year, competing against Arsenal, Bayern Munich, PSG, and Bodø/Glimt following a successful 2025 season. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/flamengo-nominated-for-ballon-dor-best-club-award ### 2026-09-07: Ballon d'Or 2026: France Football announces 30-player shortlist France Football has announced the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. Nominees include Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Lamine Yamal, with the ceremony set for October 26 in London. 377 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ballon-dor-2026-nominees-to-be-revealed-september-8 ### 2026-09-04: Ballon d'Or ceremony to move to London for 70th anniversary The 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony will move from Paris to London on October 26, 2026, marking a historic shift for the football awards. Shortlists will be revealed on September 8. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ballon-dor-ceremony-to-move-to-london-for-70th-anniversary ### 2026-08-31: Ballon d'Or 2026 nominees to be announced September 8 The 2026 Ballon d'Or nominees will be announced on September 8, with the final ceremony set for October 26 in London to celebrate the award's 70th anniversary. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ballon-dor-2026-nominees-to-be-announced-september-8 ### 2026-08-15: Ballon d'Or 2026: Nominee announcement delayed as race intensifies The 2026 Ballon d'Or nominees have yet to be announced by France Football, while recent football results have shaped the current top contenders, including Harry Kane and Ousmane Dembélé. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ballon-dor-2026-nominee-announcement-delayed-as-race-intensifies ### 2026-07-25: Emmanuel Petit says Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or hopes are over Emmanuel Petit says Harry Kane’s lack of impact in the Champions League and 2026 World Cup ends his Ballon d’Or chances, highlighting rivals like Yamal, Rodri and Messi. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmanuel-petit-says-harry-kanes-ballon-dor-hopes-are-over ### 2026-07-22: Ballon d’Or 2026 award odds released ahead of London ceremony The 2026 Ballon d’Or will be awarded in London on 26 Oct. Odds favor Kane, Yamal, Messi, Mbappé and Rodri, while French pundits debate Dembélé’s chances amid no clear favorite. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ballon-dor-2026-award-odds-released-ahead-of-london-ceremony ### 2026-07-04: Harry Kane touted for Ballon d'Or despite England’s World Cup odds Jamie Carragher says Harry Kane deserves the Ballon d’Or but doubts England’s World Cup chances will hinder his chances. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/harry-kane-touted-for-ballon-dor-despite-englands-world-cup-odds --- Cite as: 2026 Ballon d'Or nominees and ceremony details. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/2026-ballon-dor-odds-debate