Three England internationals have been named on the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, with Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane widely regarded as the favourite to claim the game's most prestigious individual honour.

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham and Arsenal's Declan Rice complete an unusually strong English contingent on a list that spans club football's biggest names from across Europe and beyond.

Kane's record-breaking case

Kane's nomination will surprise nobody who watched him last season. The England captain netted 73 goals across club and country — a figure that, by any measure, places him in the conversation for the finest individual campaign the sport has seen in years. He arrives at this ceremony not simply as a contender but as the man the market believes will collect the award when the winner is announced on 26 October.

The ceremony itself carries additional significance this year. The Ballon d'Or, created by France Football in 1956 and now celebrating its 70th anniversary, will be presented in London for the first time — a tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, the former England forward who won the inaugural edition of the award.

A Spain-dominated shortlist with a PSG surge

While England's representation is notable, the shortlist reflects the broader shape of a year in which Spain won the World Cup, defeating Argentina in the final in July. Six Spanish players who lifted the trophy appear on the list, including Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal and Paris Saint-Germain's Ferran Torres, who scored the winning goal in the final having since moved from Barcelona to the French capital.

Paris Saint-Germain's fingerprints are all over this shortlist. The club, who won the Champions League in back-to-back seasons, have nine nominees — separate from the newly arrived Torres — including last year's winner Ousmane Dembele. It is a remarkable statement of club dominance.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid forwards Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior are both included, as are Arsenal defenders Gabriel and William Saliba. Erling Haaland of Manchester City also makes the cut.

Messi's farewell chapter

Lionel Messi, now 39 and playing for Inter Miami, has been nominated as he chases a ninth Ballon d'Or. The Argentine scored eight goals in this summer's World Cup despite his country losing the final to Spain. Messi has since retired from international football, meaning this could represent his last realistic tilt at the award.

The wider nominations

Beyond the main award, Arsenal's David Raya is among ten nominees for the goalkeeper prize, joined by Cape Verde's Vozinha — whose performances were one of the stories of the World Cup — and Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is nominated for coach of the year alongside Paris Saint-Germain's Luis Enrique, Aston Villa's Unai Emery, Spain's Luis de la Fuente and Bayern Munich's Vincent Kompany. Arsenal also feature among the five nominees for club of the year, alongside Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Flamengo and Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt.

The full winner will be revealed at the London ceremony on 26 October. For Kane in particular, it feels like a moment that has been building for years — and this time, the stage is set in his home country.

Frequently asked

When is the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony?
The 2026 Ballon d'Or winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on 26 October. The choice of London is a tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, who won the first Ballon d'Or in 1956.
Is Harry Kane the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or?
Yes. Kane is widely considered the frontrunner after scoring 73 goals across club and country last season. He is listed as favourite by the market heading into the October ceremony.
Which England players are on the 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlist?
Three England internationals have been nominated: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) and Declan Rice (Arsenal).