Ballon d’Or 2026: Ranking Top 10 Favorites After Spain’s World Cup Triumph

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Ballon d’Or 2026: Ranking Top 10 Favorites After Spain’s World Cup Triumph

Following Spain’s coronation as 2026 FIFA World Cup champions, the spotlight has transitioned from collective team achievement to football’s most prestigious individual honor: the Ballon d’Or. According to Sports Illustrated, this celebrated ceremony will take place on October 26 in London, bringing together the globe’s finest athletes to determine who stands out as the premier performer of the 2025-26 campaign.

What makes this year’s competition particularly exciting is how open the field has become. With victories across the UEFA Champions League, various domestic leagues, and the World Cup itself, multiple players have positioned themselves as legitimate contenders. No single name has emerged as an insurmountable favorite heading into the awards ceremony.

10. Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain/Spain)

PSG’s Fabian Ruiz celebrates after scoring against Real Madrid in the 2025 Club World Cup. Photo: psg.fr.

While Fabián Ruiz might not immediately come to mind during Ballon d’Or conversations, his accomplishments this season certainly warrant recognition. The Spanish midfielder achieved something remarkable by becoming the sole player to claim both the UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup titles within a single calendar year.

His journey began with lifting Europe’s premier club trophy alongside Paris Saint-Germain, followed by contributing to Spain’s world championship victory. Despite battling through injury challenges, Ruiz played an instrumental part in PSG’s Ligue 1 triumph. He also started in the Champions League final against Arsenal, where his distribution and calmness under pressure helped dictate the midfield battle.

On the international stage, Ruiz was equally influential throughout Spain’s World Cup run. He netted the crucial opening goal during the quarterfinal triumph over Belgium and featured prominently in the final clash against Argentina.

9. Erling Haaland (Manchester City/Norway)

Erling Haaland scored seven goals for Norway during the 2026 World Cup. Shutterstock

Norway’s unexpected progression to the World Cup quarterfinals has breathed new life into Erling Haaland’s Ballon d’Or aspirations. The Manchester City forward demonstrated his scoring prowess on the international stage by finding the net seven times during the tournament.

His performance included a standout display in the round-of-16 encounter against Brazil, where he scored both goals to secure Norway’s memorable advancement. At the club level, Haaland maintained his reputation as one of Europe’s deadliest strikers, accumulating 38 goals across all competitions despite City’s inability to defend their Premier League crown.

8. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid/England)

Jude Bellingham was one of England’s most prolific players at the 2026 World Cup. The 23-year-old midfielder scored six goals. Shutterstock

Despite navigating an injury-plagued campaign with Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham’s World Cup performances served as a powerful reminder of his exceptional abilities. The England midfielder delivered seven goals during the tournament, including a spectacular late winner against France in the third-place playoff match.

Bellingham consistently energized England’s attacking play through his powerful runs from midfield and creative passing. While England ultimately fell short of claiming the title, his individual brilliance has undoubtedly elevated his standing among football’s elite players.

7. Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/France)

Michael Olise. Shutterstock

Michael Olise concluded the World Cup as its leading assist provider, registering seven assists that highlighted his vision and technical precision throughout France’s tournament journey. His club performances matched his international success in every meaningful way.

The Bayern Munich winger recorded 22 goals while providing an impressive 31 assists, playing a vital role in securing both the Bundesliga championship and DFB-Pokal trophy for his team. Olise earned the Bundesliga Player of the Season award, though the lack of Champions League and World Cup victories might slightly diminish his Ballon d’Or prospects.

6. Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain/France)

Ousmane Dembele. Shutterstock

Having already secured the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Ousmane Dembélé continued his impressive trajectory with Paris Saint-Germain. The French forward contributed 20 goals as PSG successfully defended both their Ligue 1 and Champions League titles.

His European knockout campaign featured decisive strikes against formidable opponents including Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Arsenal. Dembélé also added six goals during France’s World Cup participation, frequently operating from expansive attacking positions to trouble opposing defenses.

5. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid/France)

Kylian Mbappe. Shutterstock

Kylian Mbappé etched his name into World Cup history by capturing the Golden Boot with 10 goals, bringing his career tournament tally to 22 goals and establishing himself as the competition’s all-time leading scorer. His club contributions were equally stellar, with 42 goals for Real Madrid during the season reinforcing his status as one of football’s most lethal attackers.

Nevertheless, Real Madrid’s silverware drought and France’s fourth-place World Cup finish could potentially work against Mbappé’s chances, despite what was undoubtedly another exceptional year.

4. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)

Harry Kane. Shutterstock

Harry Kane experienced what many consider the finest scoring campaign of his illustrious career, continuing to prove that age is merely a number for the English striker.

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