Kane, Yamal and Mbappe among Ballon d'Or favourites
LIVE Will Harry Kane become the first English winner since Michael Owen as the Ballon d'Or ceremony unfolds at the London Palladium on 26 October 2026, with the prize expected to be revealed at 9.46 PM. Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe are also among the favourites, and the event is being covered live by Sport.
English hopes after 2001
Only four players have ever lifted the Ballon d'Or, and the last Englishman to do so was Michael Owen in 2001. This year three English stars feature on the Men’s shortlist: Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Harry Kane. In total, thirty men are eligible for the prize this year, and their presence revives a hope not seen for more than two decades.
The English trio joins a field that includes Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi and Vinícius Júnior, underscoring the global calibre of the award. The shortlist also features Lamine Yamal of Barcelona and Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid, both of whom are considered strong contenders.
Lamine Yamal and rivals force Ballon d'Or tie‑break plan
Mishap triggers online confusion
A premature article titled “Harry Kane wins the 2026 Ballon d'Or” circulated online more than four and a half hours before the official ceremony. Similar placeholder pieces for Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal were also posted and later removed, sparking speculation about a leak. Organisers said they were in shock at the erroneous publications, but no official statement has clarified the cause.
The same error affected the women’s award, with draft recognitions for Alexia Putellas and Ewa Pajor appearing on the organisers’ site before being withdrawn. German forward Klara Bühl, despite a strong season with Bayern München, missed the top‑ten for the women’s prize, which will be presented on the same night.
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Final announcement set for tonight
The Ballon d'Or winner will be announced at 9.46 PM during a star‑studded ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London. Journalists voted at the end of September, and the result will be broadcast worldwide after the awards presentation. The golden ball is expected to be lifted by the eventual champion, and the event will be streamed online. Minute‑by‑minute updates will continue as the shortlist narrows and the final decision is revealed. All eyes remain on Harry Kane, whose historic chance hinges on the outcome later this evening.