Thirty names, one crown, and a seven-week wait
Sixty-one goals in 51 games for Bayern Munich. Six more at the World Cup. Harry Kane’s numbers were always going to land him on this list, and on Tuesday, September 8, France Football confirmed it.
The nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or gala started dropping one by one from mid-morning. Thirty players make up the men’s shortlist. Ousmane Dembele defends the crown he took last year with Paris Saint-Germain. The verdict comes on October 26.
“I’m extremely proud of my season, that’s for sure,” Kane said. “My season was by far my best, and we’ll have to wait and see. It’s a strange situation, because I’m already focused on this season and the next one.”
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Four Spaniards, one trophy, and Luis Enrique in the middle of it
The men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy has turned into an all-Spanish scrap. Luis Enrique is defending, having taken PSG to a second straight European title. Luis de la Fuente won the World Cup with Spain in July. Mikel Arteta took the Premier League and reached the Champions League final with Arsenal. Unai Emery lifted the Europa League with Aston Villa.
Vincent Kompany rounds out the five. The Belgian won the Bundesliga and got Bayern to the Champions League semi-finals.
Jonatan Giraldez is nominated on the women’s side for the second time in his career. The OL Lyonnes coach faces Pere Romeu of Barcelona, Andree Jeglertz of Manchester City, Nils Nielsen of Japan and Elena Sadiku of Celtic and Haecken. Sarina Wiegman’s throne is what all five are chasing.
Bodo/Glimt gatecrash a list built for giants
The men’s club of the year category threw up the day’s real surprise. Holders PSG are there. So are Arsenal and Bayern Munich. Then come Flamengo and Bodo/Glimt, the Norwegian side who have muscled into a shortlist normally reserved for Europe’s wealthiest.
Barcelona, Champions League winners, head the women’s club list alongside Bayern, Club America, Manchester City and OL Lyonnes.
Hannah Hampton, the first winner in the history of the women’s Yachine Trophy, is up against Ann-Katrin Berger, Cata Coll, Lorena and Ayaka Yamashita.
More names will keep landing through the day. Dembele’s successor stays a mystery until October 26.
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