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The 2026 Ballon d'Or feels like one of the most open fields in recent years.
Lionel Messi might have been the frontrunner for a record-extending ninth award, had Argentina managed to retain the World Cup in North America. But La Albiceleste were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the final in New Jersey, putting Messi back among the pack.
Rodri won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, and the Spain midfielder being named player of the tournament at the World Cup strengthened his case for a second triumph.
Compatriot Lamine Yamal is also in the running, predominantly for his exploits at Barcelona last season, while Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe are also in the hunt.
Paris Saint-Germain retained their Champions League title last term and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is a contender to succeed his teammate Ousmane Dembele as the winner of the prize.
Here, we run through how the winner of soccer's most prestigious individual award is decided.
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Who runs the Ballon d'Or award?
In 1956, the head of France Football, Gabriel Hanot, created the award as a way to recognize European players who plied their trade on the continent.
It took nearly 40 years, until 1995, before the award was opened up to include non-Europeans who featured for clubs in European countries. And, finally, in 2007 they opened the award to any player around the world who deserved consideration for the title of best player on the planet.
France Football has slowly evolved the award over time, including a run from 2010-2015 when it was partnered with world football's governing body and named the FIFA Ballon d'Or.
Ahead of the 2022 edition, won by Karim Benzema, some key changes were made.
MORE: The final voting totals of the controversial 2021 Ballon d'Or award
Who votes for the Ballon d'Or?
One of the changes made by France Football ahead of the 2022 award concerned the pool of voters.
In the past, a media member from each of more than 180 nations was identified to receive a ballot as a way of truly making the Ballon d'Or a global event. They were tasked with picking their top five for the men's award, for example, and then those votes were tabulated by France Football to determine the final ranking.
Beginning with the 2022 edition, France Football decided to restrict the field of nations that had a media member with a ballot. The organizers reduced that list to the top 100 countries from the FIFA men's world ranking for the men's award, and the top 50 countries from the women's world ranking for the women's award.
What criteria are used in the Ballon d'Or vote?
The media members receive a list of 30 finalists compiled by a group of journalists from France Football and L'Equipe.
In the past, a player's overall career performance was taken into account by the voters. That allowed for a player like Messi to win in 2021 despite having inferior numbers to, say, Robert Lewandowski. The body of work throughout Messi's career helped him stand above the Poland striker even after two exceptional years with Bayern Munich.
Recognizing this flaw in the criteria, France Football made changes. Now, voters for the Ballon d'Or are encouraged to take the following criteria into account:
- Individual performances, decisive and impressive actions and overall on-pitch impact
- Team performances and achievements
- Class and fair play
Are Ballon d'Or votes made public?
France Football has historically published each ballot on the weekend following the ceremony.
The ballots are completely transparent with the name of each media member, their outlet, and the players they voted for in the specific order they ranked them.
When is the 2026 Ballon d'Or?
The ceremony is on Monday, October 26, 2026. It is due to begin at 8 p.m. local time (3 p.m. ET), with the red-carpet event beginning around 90 minutes earlier.
It is being held in London, UK. Organisers have not yet announced the venue, but it will reportedly be the London Palladium, a world-famous theatre that opened in 1910. It is the first time the gala will take place in England's capital city.
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