Kane Leads 2026 Ballon d'Or Shortlist; Ronaldo Snubbed — SkimNews
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- Harry Kane headlines the 30-man 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlist as bookmakers' favourite after scoring 73 goals last season and is positioned to become the first Englishman to win since Michael Owen in 2001.
- Cristiano Ronaldo was left off the men's shortlist despite winning the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, while Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are the expected challengers to Kane.
- Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice join Kane on the shortlist alongside Premier League representatives Bruno Fernandes, Erling Haaland, Gabriel and William Saliba.
- The 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony moves to London on October 26, 2026 — the first time the event has been held outside Paris in its history.
- Alessia Russo and Alex Greenwood headline English representation on the 30-player women's shortlist, with Rose Lavelle the only American nominee.
- The men's award is decided by one journalist from each of the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations using a 15-12-10-7-5-4-3-2-1 points system, while the women's prize draws voters from the top 50 nations.
Why it matters: London hosting the first non-Paris Ballon d'Or ceremony in 70 years marks a geographic shift for the award. Kane's favourite status after 73 goals puts him in position to end England's 25-year Ballon d'Or drought since Michael Owen's 2001 win, while the omission of Ronaldo — despite his Saudi Pro League title — stands as the headline surprise of the shortlist.
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