Harry Kane and English Nominees for 2026 Ballon d'Or

Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice will all have English eyes fixed on London this October after being named among the nominees for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or.

The Bayern Munich striker goes into the ceremony as the bookmakers’ clear favourite. The numbers explain why. Kane plundered 73 goals in 65 games for club and country last season, firing Bayern to another Bundesliga title and leading England to a World Cup bronze as captain. On 26 October, at the London Palladium, he will walk into a venue hosting the Ballon d’Or for the first time and stand on the brink of history.

No Englishman has lifted the famous golden ball since Michael Owen in 2001. The wait has stretched across generations. Now, at 33, Kane stands front of a field that includes the current holder Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, Spain’s metronome Rodri and France captain Kylian Mbappe.

Premier League heavyweights in the frame

Kane is not the only Premier League figure in the spotlight. Declan Rice features on the 30-man list after anchoring Arsenal’s title push and England’s midfield. He is joined by Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, Arsenal defender Gabriel, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Arsenal centre-back William Saliba, underlining the league’s grip on the elite end of the game.

Lionel Messi’s name appears once more, extending his astonishing run of Ballon d’Or nominations. Cristiano Ronaldo’s does not. The Portugal great misses out entirely this time, a stark marker of a shifting era.

The ceremony itself carries extra weight. This is the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or, created by France Football and, since 2024, co-organised with UEFA. To honour the first ever winner, England and Blackpool legend Stanley Matthews, the organisers have moved the event from its traditional Paris home to London. The city where the modern game was shaped will now crown its latest king.

Yamal leads new generation

While Kane chases the biggest individual prize of all, the next wave of talent is already queuing up. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal headlines the Men’s Young Talent of the Year shortlist after a breakout season that has electrified Europe.

He is joined by Bournemouth forward Junior Kroupi, whose rise on the south coast has not gone unnoticed. Manchester City’s new signing Ayyoub Bouaddi also makes the cut, as does recent Aston Villa acquisition Johan Manzambi. On the women’s side, Chelsea’s Veerle Buurman is nominated for the young talent accolade, a nod to the depth of promise in west London.

Arteta and Emery go head-to-head again

On the touchline, two familiar Premier League rivals will contest Men’s Coach of the Year. Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and Aston Villa’s Unai Emery are both shortlisted after transformative seasons at their clubs.

They face competition from Spain boss Luis De La Fuente, who has reshaped the national team, as well as Vincent Kompany and Luis Enrique. Arteta’s influence stretches beyond the dugout too: Arsenal are nominated for Men’s Club of the Year, recognition of a project that has pushed the club back among Europe’s elite.

Vozinha among the goalkeeping elite

Between the posts, Cape Verde star Vozinha is rewarded for his outstanding World Cup displays with a place on the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year shortlist. His performances on the biggest stage have propelled him into a group that includes Arsenal’s David Raya and World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez, now of Chelsea.

It all feeds into a landmark edition of football’s most storied individual award. A new host city. A nod to Stanley Matthews. A list that blends enduring greats with the sport’s next wave.

At the centre of it, an English captain chasing a trophy his country has not touched for 25 years. In London, of all places, will Harry Kane finally bring the Ballon d’Or back home?