Kane leads Premier League charge in 2026 Ballon d'Or nominees

The 2026 Ballon d'Or nominees are out, and Harry Kane is the bookmakers' favourite after a stunning 73-goal season. The England captain heads a strong Premier League contingent including Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, and Erling Haaland.

  • Ceremony: October 26, 2026, in London
  • Men's shortlist: 30 players, including 6 from Premier League clubs
  • Women's shortlist: 30 players, including Alessia Russo and Alex Greenwood
  • Defending champion: Not mentioned in source
  • Notable omission: Cristiano Ronaldo not nominated despite Saudi Pro League win
  • Voting: Journalists from top 100 FIFA nations for men's, top 50 for women's

Confirmed line-ups

No line-ups are provided in this source; the article focuses on award nominees.

What was said

No direct quotes are included in the source, but the nomination list serves as the main announcement.

The numbers

  • Kane's goals: 73 last season
  • Men's nominees: 30
  • Women's nominees: 30
  • Ceremony year: 70th Ballon d'Or

Deal details

No transfer deals are reported; this is an awards announcement.

Injury and availability

No injury updates are contained in this source.

Why Kane is the man to beat

Harry Kane scored 73 goals last season, a remarkable tally that makes him the clear favourite. His performances for Bayern Munich have been exceptional, and he could become the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001. With Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and Arsenal's Declan Rice also nominated, England has three genuine contenders.

Kane's main challengers are likely to be Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappe. However, the sheer volume of goals gives Kane an edge, especially with the voting system rewarding individual brilliance. The absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, despite his Saudi Pro League title, shows the award's European bias, but it also clears a path for Kane.

For Premier League fans, the nominations of Gabriel, William Saliba, Bruno Fernandes, and Erling Haaland highlight the league's global influence. The defensive duo from Arsenal and Manchester City's striker are all deserving of their places, and their presence could split the English vote.

Talking points

  • Can Kane maintain his goal-scoring form to win the award? His 73-goal season is historic, but the voting takes into account the upcoming season's performances too.
  • Is Ronaldo's omission justified? Despite winning the Saudi Pro League, his move to Al-Nassr has seemingly hurt his chances of Ballon d'Or recognition.
  • Will Premier League defenders like Saliba and Gabriel ever get the recognition they deserve? Their inclusion is a step forward, but forwards usually dominate the votes.
  • How much will the London ceremony influence voters? With the event in England, there could be a home bias for English players like Kane and Bellingham.

What happens next

The 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place on October 26, 2026, in London. Before then, votes will be cast by journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations for the men's award, and top 50 for the women's. The winners will be revealed live, with Kane currently the favourite to take home the men's trophy.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the favourite to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or?

Harry Kane is the bookmakers' favourite after scoring 73 goals last season.

Are any Premier League players nominated?

Yes: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Gabriel (Arsenal), William Saliba (Arsenal), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), and more.

Why is Cristiano Ronaldo not nominated?

The source does not give a reason, but it notes he is not nominated despite winning the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr.

Filed under: Latest News | LA Premier League Home