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France Football Releases 2026 Ballon d'Or Shortlists

World Cup performances plus PSG's unusually large slate of nominees will shape how a 100‑journalist jury decides the awards on 26 October in London.

Overview

  • France Football with L’Équipe published the official 30-player men’s and women’s shortlists and the nominees for Yashin, Kopa, Gerd Müller and coach awards on Tuesday, Sept. 8, starting a voting process that will culminate at a London gala on 26 October.
  • Lionel Messi's return to the men's list is a major talking point and he appears alongside countryman Lautaro Martínez after both played key roles for Argentina in the World Cup final.
  • Paris Saint-Germain supplied the largest single-club share of nominees, with ten players named, a concentration that reflects PSG's Champions League-winning season and heavy influence on this year's race.
  • Mexico recorded landmark inclusions with Julián Quiñones nominated in the men's list and Scarlett Camberos becoming the first Mexican woman named to the women's shortlist.
  • The men's vote will be cast by one journalist from each of the 100 top FIFA-ranked countries using ranked points that prioritize individual impact and decisive moments, and Emiliano 'Dibu' Martínez is among the nominees for the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper.