England Names Three Players for 2026 Ballon d’Or Shortlist

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has been named one of three England players on the 30‑player shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. The award, which celebrates its 70th anniversary, will be presented in London on 26 October. Kane joins Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Arsenal’s Declan Rice, making England the country with the most nominees this year.

The shortlist reflects the global reach of football and the current focus on the 2026 World Cup. It includes stars from Europe’s top clubs and the World Cup winner, Spain. Paris St‑Germain have nine nominees, including last year’s champion Ousmane Dembélé, while Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. also make the cut. The ceremony’s venue in London pays tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, the first Ballon d’Or winner.

Other notable names are Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, who is chasing a record ninth Ballon d’Or after scoring eight goals in Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain, and Paris St‑Germain’s Ferran Torres, who scored the winning goal in that match. Spain’s Lamine Yamal, one of six World Cup‑winning players, is also shortlisted. Arsenal’s defenders Gabriel and William Saliba and PSG’s new signing Torres round out a roster that spans clubs and nations.

The award will decide who is judged the best player in the world for 2026. It will highlight the achievements of players across different leagues and competitions. The announcement on 26 October will mark a milestone in football history and could see a new icon added to the Ballon d’Or legacy.