France Football magazine has unveiled the nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, setting the stage for one of football’s biggest individual honours. The award, which is based on performances from the 2025-26 campaign, will be presented at a ceremony in London on October 26.
African football will again have a notable presence across several categories, with established names and emerging talents earning recognition for their achievements over the past season.
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi has been selected for the men’s Ballon d’Or shortlist for a second year running. The Paris Saint-Germain full-back enjoyed another highly successful campaign at club and international level, strengthening his reputation as one of the finest defenders in world football.
Hakimi played an important part as PSG retained the UEFA Champions League, while he also helped Morocco secure the Africa Cup of Nations title. His influence in both competitions added to an already impressive year, following his recognition as African Player of the Year in 2025.
The 27-year-old is one of only two African players competing for the main men’s award. He is joined by Senegal star Sadio Mané, who continues to make an impact while playing in Saudi Arabia. Mané remains one of the continent’s most decorated and respected players, and his inclusion keeps him in the conversation among the game’s elite performers.
While Hakimi and Mané represent Africa in the men’s category, the continent has two equally strong candidates in the women’s Ballon d’Or race.
Zambia forward Barbra Banda is among the nominees after another influential season with Orlando Pride. Banda has become one of the most dangerous attacking players in women’s football, combining pace, strength and an eye for goal. Her nomination reflects both her club form and her continued importance to Zambia on the international stage.
Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga has also made the shortlist following a remarkable campaign. The Kansas City forward was central to Malawi’s unexpected journey to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final during the summer. It was a memorable run for a team taking part in the competition for the first time, and Chawinga’s performances helped turn the side into one of the tournament’s biggest stories.
The Ballon d’Or nominations also offer recognition to the next generation through the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young male player. Two African prospects have earned places on that list: 19-year-old Ivory Coast talent Yan Diomandé and Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza, aged 20.
Their nominations highlight the growing depth of young talent emerging from the continent. However, they will face a difficult challenge in a field that includes Barcelona and World Cup-winning forward Lamine Yamal. The Spanish star has already claimed the Kopa Trophy twice and will once again be among the favourites.
African representation extends to the goalkeeper category as well. Morocco’s Yassine Bounou, Senegal’s Édouard Mendy and Cape Verde international Vozinha have all been included among the nominees.
Bounou, who now plays for Al-Hilal, continues to be regarded as one of Africa’s most dependable goalkeepers. Mendy, also based in Saudi Arabia, remains a major figure for Senegal and has previous experience of competing at the highest club level in Europe. Vozinha’s presence is another important moment for Cape Verdean football, giving the island nation a place among the world’s recognised goalkeeping talents.
In the men’s Ballon d’Or contest, Paris Saint-Germain have supplied a large share of the nominees. Eight PSG players are in contention, underlining the French champions’ strength after another successful season.
Among them is Ousmane Dembélé, the winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or. PSG’s new arrival Ferran Torres, signed from Barcelona during the summer, has also been named on the 30-man list.
Dembélé believes the prize could remain with a player from the Parisian club. Speaking to France Football, he expressed confidence that PSG’s achievements would give one of its players a strong chance of collecting the award.
Still, the competition is packed with high-profile rivals. Bayern Munich and England captain Harry Kane is among the leading challengers after winning the Bundesliga. Lionel Messi, who has won the Ballon d’Or a record eight times, is again included, while Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé remains a major contender.
Mbappé may not have had the major team trophy often associated with Ballon d’Or success, but his personal achievements have kept him firmly in the race. During the season, he surpassed Messi to become the highest scorer in World Cup history, reaching 22 goals. The French forward has said he remains hopeful of adding the individual prize to his collection.
The women’s Ballon d’Or appears especially difficult to predict this year. Aitana Bonmatí, who won the last three editions, is absent after an injury-disrupted campaign that limited her involvement for Barcelona.
Her absence creates an opportunity for other leading players to step forward. Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas, a two-time winner of the award, is among the favourites. Wolfsburg striker Ewa Pajor and Haiti star Melchie Dumornay are also expected to be serious contenders.
This year’s ceremony will carry extra historical significance. The men’s Ballon d’Or is celebrating its 70th anniversary, and the London event will be the first time the awards have been staged outside France. With African stars represented in the main prizes, youth award and goalkeeper category, the continent will have plenty of reasons to follow the ceremony closely.
