WHO WILL WIN? MBAPPé, YAMAL, KANE AND OLISE CHASE BALLON D’OR GLORY

The race for the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or takes centre stage in London on Monday, with Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane and Michael Olise among the leading contenders.

Now in its 70th edition, the ceremony will celebrate football’s standout performers, with honours for players, goalkeepers, young talents and coaches.

Live coverage starts at 4pm London time, bringing fans the award announcements, backstage moments and reactions.

Defending winner Ousmane Dembélé is also nominated, alongside Vitinha, Erling Haaland, Vinícius Júnior and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Kvaratskhelia will be absent from the ceremony due to injury but remains in contention for the award.

Organisers have described this year’s race as one of the tightest in recent memory, with no confirmed leak identifying the winners ahead of the announcement.

The men’s winner will be chosen by specialist journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings, while journalists from the top 50 countries will vote for the women’s award. Jury representation is based on the rankings in effect when nominations were announced on September 8, 2026.

For the nominees and their supporters, the wait is almost over as London prepares to welcome football’s next Ballon d’Or winner.