Ballon d’Or 2026: how the shortlists and voting work

The 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlists are neither provisional rankings nor popularity polls: they define who may receive votes. Understanding the contest requires separating the assessment period, each jury’s composition and the points system. Transfers and performances after the cut-off may drive debate, but they do not change this edition’s rules.

The nominees were announced on 8 September. The official UEFA list contains 30 candidates for each Ballon d’Or, ten young male players and five young female players, plus five clubs in each team award. The ceremony is scheduled for 26 October at the London Palladium in London. Details may change, so check the official channels before the event.

What a nomination means

Joining the shortlist provides access to the ballot; it is not a ranking position. The lists are assembled by members of the France Football and L’Équipe editorial teams, at least one juror from the previous edition and UEFA ambassadors named in the regulations. Luis Figo and Fabio Capello participate in the men’s selection; Nadine Kessler participates in the women’s.

The official list may also associate two clubs with one player following a transfer. This records the player’s path, but does not create extra votes or make club representation a criterion for the individual award.

Which matches count

Under the men’s and women’s award regulations, the window runs from 3 August 2025 to 19 July 2026. It includes international competitions held during that period: the World Cup and AFCON for men, and the Asian Cup and Nations League final phase for women.

The Women’s AFCON, which ended on 16 August, counts toward the current season and falls outside this edition. The most recent performance is therefore not always eligible, while a summer transfer does not alter the value of work completed before 19 July.

The three criteria, in order

The main individual and young talent awards apply three ranked criteria: individual performances and a decisive, impressive character first; collective performances and titles second; class and fair play third.

The order matters. A title strengthens a candidacy, but individual contribution comes first. Statistics alone do not settle the question because the leading criterion also considers decisive impact. Assessment should begin with matches inside the window before moving to trophies and conduct.

Who votes and how points work

For the men’s Ballon d’Or, one specialist journalist represents each country among the top 100 in the FIFA ranking. The women’s electorate represents the top 50. The rankings in force when the lists were published on 8 September 2026 are used.

Each juror ranks ten of the 30 nominees. The places award 15, 12, 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point. The highest total wins. Ties are broken by first-place votes, followed, if needed, by second-place votes, third-place votes and so on. This is not a public ballot.

Why young players have different juries

The Young Talent Trophy regulations admit players under 21 on 31 July 2026 and retain the same period and criteria.

For men, former Ballon d’Or winners rank three players from ten, awarding 5, 3 and 1 point. The women’s jury comprises former Women’s Ballon d’Or winners, players who have reached its podium since 2018 and one France Football editor-in-chief. They choose two of five nominees, worth 2 and 1 point.

Men’s ties are decided by first-place selections and then second-place selections. For women, first-place selections are compared; if the tie remains, France Football’s editorial management decides.

How the club award works

The Club of the Year regulations cover the same period, but jointly assess quality of play, titles, memorable victories, results exceeding expectations, respect and fair play. The men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or juries vote in the corresponding club categories.

Each journalist selects two of five finalists: 2 points for first and 1 for second. Ties are broken by first-place selections and then by the number of club players — before summer transfers — appearing on the Ballon d’Or lists. If equality remains, editorial management decides. Nominee representation therefore matters only as a tie-breaker for the club award.

How to follow the debate without predictions

Check whether a performance occurred within the window, apply the criteria in their published order, identify the category’s jury and only then consider points and tie-breakers. This avoids mistaking fame, an August match or a transfer for an official rule.

UEFA says this will be the 70th edition and the first ceremony in London. The choice honours Stanley Matthews, the first winner of the award created by France Football in 1956. Since 2024, the ceremony has been co-organised with UEFA; France Football organises the awards and voting.