The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has officially begun, with defending champion Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal among the biggest names included in the 30-player men’s shortlist announced by France Football on Tuesday.The women’s shortlist also features a host of major contenders, with two-time winner Alexia Putellas, Ewa Pajor and Melchie Dumornay among those hoping to succeed Aitana Bonmatí, who has won the award in each of the past three years but missed much of the season through injury.The winners will be crowned at a ceremony in London on October 26, with the event moving away from its traditional Paris setting to mark the 70th anniversary of the first Ballon d’Or, won by England legend Stanley Matthews in 1956.For Dembélé, the opportunity to become the first player since Bonmatí to retain the award comes after another remarkable season with Paris Saint-Germain. The Frenchman helped PSG win a second consecutive Champions League title, strengthening his claim to remain at the top of the individual game.Yet even Dembélé believes the trophy could stay in Paris regardless of who eventually wins it.“I don't think the trophy is undecided. I think it will remain in the hands of a Paris Saint-Germain player," he said in an interview with France Football.When asked to name his three leading contenders, Dembélé selected PSG teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Kane and Mbappé. He also highlighted Michael Olise, Yamal, Fabian Ruiz and Willian Pacho — but notably left himself out of his own top three.

Mbappé believes this could finally be his year

Mbappé enters the race having produced one of the most prolific individual campaigns of his career, despite Real Madrid ending the season without a major trophy.The France captain scored 42 goals in 44 appearances for Madrid and also enjoyed a record-breaking World Cup campaign. He claimed the Golden Boot for a second consecutive time with 10 goals and moved beyond Lionel Messi to become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals.His individual numbers have strengthened his belief that he could finally get his hands on the Ballon d’Or after finishing third in 2023.“There are many people who speak about me and the Ballon d’Or. Of course I’ve made history in the most important competition. Maybe it’s a good year for this, but people can vote according to what they think,” Mbappé said on Monday.The French superstar also acknowledged the unique expectations that come with playing for Real Madrid.“I think when you play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, people automatically associate you with this award,” Mbappé added. “I always think I’m the best, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.”Asked about comparisons with other leading contenders, Mbappé refused to get drawn into a debate that could quickly become endless.“I don’t like making comparisons because I do a lot of things that others don’t," Mbappé said. "If we get into that it becomes an endless debate, you know?”

Kane, Yamal and Messi among the contenders

Kane has arguably produced one of the strongest seasons of his career, scoring 73 goals for club and country and finally adding major silverware to his collection after helping Bayern Munich win the Bundesliga.Yamal is another major contender after playing a central role in Spain’s World Cup triumph and Barcelona’s La Liga success. His continued rise has put the teenage forward firmly among the game's elite.Messi, meanwhile, remains on the shortlist at 39. The eight-time winner continues to challenge for individual honours after guiding Argentina to a runner-up finish at the World Cup and helping Inter Miami win Major League Soccer.Dembélé and Mbappé both featured for France at the World Cup, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Spain in the semi-finals. While major team trophies traditionally carry significant weight in the Ballon d’Or race, Mbappé’s individual World Cup records could keep him firmly in contention.

Bonmatí misses out as women’s race opens up

The women’s award has a notably different complexion this year after Bonmatí was left out of the 30-player shortlist.The Barcelona star had dominated the award, winning three consecutive Ballon d’Or Feminin titles, but an injury kept her out for much of the season. She returned towards the end of Barcelona’s campaign and was able to feature as the club completed a quadruple that included another Champions League triumph.Putellas, a two-time winner, now has an opportunity to reclaim the crown, while Pajor and Dumornay are among the other prominent names in the running.The coaching awards will also be closely watched. World Cup-winning Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Premier League-winning Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta headline the men's nominees for the Johan Cruyff Trophy.They are joined by Unai Emery of Aston Villa, Vincent Kompany of Bayern Munich and Luis Enrique of Paris Saint-Germain.In the women's category, Jonatan Giraldez, Andree Jeglertz, Nils Nielsen, Pere Romeu and Elena Sadiku have been nominated.

How the Ballon d’Or winner is decided

The Ballon d’Or, created by France Football, has been awarded to men since 1956 and to women since 2018. The men's award is voted on by one journalist from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings, while the women's award involves journalists from the top 50.Each voter ranks their selections, with points awarded according to the position of each player. The player collecting the most points wins.Organisers say the voting is based on three criteria, in order of importance: individual performances and decisive, impressive character; collective performances and titles won; and class and fair play.With the shortlist now confirmed, Dembélé has the chance to defend his crown, Mbappé is chasing the first Ballon d’Or of his career, Kane is hoping his trophy-laden season can finally translate into individual recognition, while Yamal and Messi add further star power to a race that promises to go down to the wire.