Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, and Arsenal's Declan Rice are among the three England players nominated for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. Kane is considered the favourite for the award.
The 30-player shortlist also includes Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, who is seeking his ninth Ballon d'Or. Messi scored eight goals as Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain in July, after which he retired from international football.
Six players from the World Cup-winning Spain squad are on the list, including Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, who scored the winning goal in the final. Paris St-Germain, back-to-back Champions League winners, have nine nominated players, excluding new signing Torres, with last year's winner Ousmane Dembele also included.
The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony, marking the award's 70th anniversary, will be held in London on 26 October. This venue choice is a tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, the former England player who won the first Ballon d'Or in 1956.