Ballon d'Or 2026 winner to be announced in London on Monday

The 2026 Ballon d'Or winner will be announced on Monday night at a ceremony in London. The 70th staging of the event will be the first held outside France, moving to England as a tribute to Stanley Matthews, who won the first award in 1956.

Harry Kane is among the favourites for the men's award. He faces competition from Lamine Yamal, Bayern Munich teammate Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappe, and other Paris Saint-Germain players. PSG has at least 10 nominees on the 30-man shortlist.

“The stage is surely set for the Three Lions captain to lift the prize on home turf.”

Lionel Messi is also in the running after a spectacular World Cup but is considered an outsider because he plays club football in the United States for Inter Miami. Cristiano Ronaldo has no place on the list.

The award honours last season's best players, coaches and clubs, covering the period from August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026. It also recognises the top scorer, goalkeeper, young player and humanitarian.

Ousmane Dembele won last year's men's prize, finishing ahead of Lamine Yamal and Vitinha. Aitana Bonmati claimed the women's prize for the third year running.

Predictions name Kane as the likely winner on home turf, which would make him the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001. Yamal is seen as a potential runner-up, while Mbappe's chances are considered slim because neither Real Madrid nor France won a trophy.