The 2026 Ballon d’Or race has officially begun, with nominees for several categories announced ahead of the prestigious awards ceremony. Organisers unveiled the first batch of nominees through their official X account on Tuesday as football’s leading individual and team honours prepare to recognise outstanding performances from the 2025/26 season.……
The 2026 Ballon d’Or race has officially begun, with nominees for several categories announced ahead of the prestigious awards ceremony.
Organisers unveiled the first batch of nominees through their official X account on Tuesday as football’s leading individual and team honours prepare to recognise outstanding performances from the 2025/26 season.
The 2026 ceremony will be the 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or, with awards covering players, coaches and clubs across both the men’s and women’s categories.
Among the categories announced so far are Men’s and Women’s Club of the Year and Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year, while nominees for other categories are expected to be released.
Here are the nominees announced so far:
1. Women’s Coach of the Year
The nominees for the Women’s Coach of the Year award are:
Jonatan Giráldez — OL Lyonnes Andrée Jeglertz — Manchester City Women Nils Nielsen — Japan National Team Pere Romeu — FC Barcelona Femení Elena Sadiku — Celtic FC Women/BK Häcken
2. Men’s Club of the Year
Five clubs have been shortlisted for the Men’s Club of the Year award:
Arsenal Bayern Munich Bodø/Glimt Flamengo Paris Saint-Germain
3. Women’s Club of the Year
The nominees for the Women’s Club of the Year award are:
FC Barcelona Bayern Munich Club América Manchester City OL Lyonnes
4. Men’s Coach of the Year
The Men’s Coach of the Year shortlist features five managers:
Mikel Arteta — Arsenal Luis de la Fuente — Spain National Team Unai Emery — Aston Villa Vincent Kompany — Bayern Munich Luis Enrique — Paris Saint-Germain What to expect next
5. 2026 Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year
Yassine Bounou Thibaut Courtois Joan García Gregor Kobel Emiliano Martínez Édouard Mendy David Raya Matvey Safonov Unai Simón Vozinha
6. 2026 Women’s Young Talent of the Year
Veerle Buurman Vicky López Felicia Schröder Clara Serrajordi Lily Yohannes
7. 2026 Men’s Young Talent of the Year Kerim Alajbegović Ayyoub Bouaddi Pau Cubarsí Yan Diomandé Lennart Karl Éli Junior Kroupi Lamine Yamal Johan Manzambi Ibrahim Maza Warren Zaïre-Emery
More nominees across the remaining Ballon d’Or categories are expected to be announced as the organisers complete the full shortlist.
The awards will recognise players, coaches and clubs for their performances and achievements during the 2025/26 campaign, with the 2026 edition marking the 70th year of the Ballon d’Or.
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