Kane, Mbappe headline 30-man shortlist for 2026 Ballon d’Or

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane was named Tuesday among the 30 nominees for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or following a prolific season that has made him one of the leading contenders for football’s most prestigious individual award.

The 33-year-old English captain scored 61 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions for Bayern during the 2025-26 season as the German club won a domestic double.

Kane also scored six goals for England at the 2026 World Cup, where they finished third.

He faces competition from some of football’s biggest names, including record eight-time winner Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham and defending Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele.

Spain’s Rodri, who won the award in 2024, was also included after helping his country win the World Cup.

Paris Saint-Germain have eight players on the shortlist: Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Willian Pacho and Fabian Ruiz.

30 nominees

The list comprises Jude Bellingham, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Cucurella, Ousmane Dembele, Luis Diaz, Bruno Fernandes, Erling Haaland, Gabriel, Harry Kane, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Lamine Yamal, Sadio Mane, Marquinhos, Lautaro Martinez, Kylian Mbappe, Nuno Mendes, Lionel Messi, Joao Neves, Michael Olise, Willian Pacho, Julian Quinones, Declan Rice, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, William Saliba, Ferran Torres, Dayot Upamecano, Vinicius Jr. and Vitinha.

Yamal nominated for Young Talent award

Yamal, who won the young player award in each of the last two seasons, was also among 10 nominees for the Men’s Young Talent of the Year award.

The Barcelona star was joined by Kerim Alajbegovic, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Pau Cubarsi, Yan Diomande, Lennart Karl, Eli Junior Kroupi, Johan Manzambi, Ibrahim Maza and Warren Zaire-Emery.

De la Fuente, Luis Enrique among coaching nominees

World Cup-winning Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was among five nominees for Men’s Coach of the Year.

Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, Bayern Munich’s Vincent Kompany and Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique completed the shortlist.

Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodo/Glimt, Flamengo and Paris Saint-Germain were nominated for Men’s Club of the Year.

The winners will be announced Oct. 26 at the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.