2026 Ballon d’Or: Voting dates for nominees confirmed as World Cup ends

This year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on October 2026.

It will be decided based on the results of the period running from August 1, 2025, through to 31 July, 2026.

There are already conversations over who the possible nominees could be, after the World Cup ended on Sunday night.

Spain are the new champions, after beating the holders Argentina 1-0, in what was a one-sided affair.

This means there is a strong contingent of Spaniards amongst the bookmakers’ favourites.

But according to the UK Metro, the star-studded list is topped by England and Bayern Munich centre-forward Kane.

As it stands, Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are also ahead of Spain captain Rodri going by the latest odds.

Ousmane Dembele – who won the award in 2025 – is now 14/1 to defend his crown after France were denied a place in this summer’s World Cup final by the eventual winners Spain.