2026 Ballon d'Or Nominees Announced, Ceremony Moves to London for First Time

The Ballon d'Or is regarded as one of the highest honors in football, recognizing the best male and female players each year. Traditionally, the award ceremony has been held in Paris, with France Football managing the selection and announcement of nominees.

In recent years, the competition for both men's and women's categories has become increasingly global. Clubs from across Europe often dominate the shortlist, reflecting the sport's growing international reach. The 2026 edition continues this trend, but also introduces some notable changes.

On September 8, 2026, France Football released the lists of nominees for the Ballon d'Or awards. Thirty players were named in both the men's and women's categories. This year, Paris Saint-Germain achieved a milestone by having nine players nominated in the men's category, more than any other club in the competition's history, according to Fanpage.

The women's club of the year shortlist features five clubs, including FC Barcelona and OL Lyon, both of which have been influential in recent seasons. The ceremony's location was also a major talking point. It was announced that the 2026 awards would take place outside Paris for the first time, with London set to host the event on October 26, as reported by Franceinfo.

Notably, the men's shortlist does not include any goalkeepers, a first since the introduction of the 30-player format in 1995. According to L'Équipe, Lev Yashin remains the only goalkeeper ever to have won the Ballon d'Or, back in 1963. This omission marks a significant shift in the pattern of nominations.

Some football legends continue to feature prominently. Lionel Messi is again among the nominees, while Cristiano Ronaldo is absent, as highlighted by Adnkronos and GB News. Only one player from Serie A, Lautaro Martinez, made the men's list, with no Italians featured this year.

The final nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or have been set, and preparations are underway for the awards ceremony in London. Paris Saint-Germain's strong presence among the men's nominees is drawing attention, while the absence of goalkeepers raises questions about changing evaluation criteria.

With the ceremony scheduled for October 26, clubs and fans are anticipating the announcement of winners in both the men's and women's categories. The move to London marks a historic moment for the event, reflecting its international appeal.

Attention now shifts to the awards ceremony in London, where the winners will be revealed. Observers will be watching to see if PSG's dominance in the nominations translates into actual wins, and whether the absence of goalkeepers sparks further debate in the football community.