Ballon d’Or 2026: Messi, Mbappé, Kane, Yamal Feature as Stars Gather in London
By Boye Goodluck, SPORTS DESK – Football stars, club representatives and journalists from across the world have gathered at the London Palladium in England for the 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony.
The ceremony, holding on Monday, October 26, 2026, marks a historic milestone as the prestigious football awards event is staged outside France for the first time.
Attention is focused on the leading contenders for the men’s and women’s awards, with England captain Harry Kane, Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, Argentine superstar Lionel Messi and France international Kylian Mbappé among the headline names in the men’s category.
The men’s top 10 finalists also include Ousmane Dembélé, Erling Haaland, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Michael Olise, Fabián Ruiz and Rodri.
In the women’s category, Malawi international Temwa Chawinga headlines a list featuring Melchie Dumornay, Caroline Graham Hansen, Patri Guijarro, Pernille Harder, Ewa Pajor, Clàudia Pina, Alexia Putellas, Alessia Russo and Khadija Shaw.
The awards recognise outstanding individual performances in football, celebrating excellence among the world’s leading male and female players.
The 2026 ceremony’s relocation to London represents a significant departure from the awards’ traditional French setting and highlights the event’s growing international appeal.
Organised by France Football, the Ballon d’Or remains one of football’s most prestigious individual honours, attracting global attention as players compete for recognition for their performances over the assessment period.
