The race for the 2026 Ballon d'Or has football fans eager to discover who will be crowned the world's best player. However, winning football's most prestigious individual award involves more than scoring goals or lifting major trophies. A structured voting system, specific evaluation criteria and an international jury determine the final result.
So, how are Ballon d'Or winners decided? Here is a complete breakdown of the rules, voting process and criteria ahead of the 2026 ceremony.
How Are Ballon d'Or Winners Selected?
The Ballon d'Or is organised by France Football, with UEFA co-organising the annual ceremony. While UEFA contributes to the event, France Football retains control of the award's voting system.
The process begins with a shortlist of 30 nominees for the men's Ballon d'Or. This list is prepared by France Football's editorial team, members of L'Équipe's editorial team, a representative from the previous jury and designated UEFA ambassadors.
Once the nominees are announced, an international jury of specialist football journalists votes to determine the winner.
Who Votes for the Ballon d'Or Winner?
The Ballon d'Or uses a journalist-based voting system rather than a public fan vote.
For the 2026 awards, the men's category features 100 journalists, with one representative from each of the top 100 nations in the FIFA men's world rankings. The women's Ballon d'Or has 50 journalists representing the top 50 nations in the FIFA women's world rankings.
Each journalist evaluates the nominees and submits a ranked list of their top 10 players. Their selections determine the final points tally.
What Are the Ballon d'Or Voting Criteria?
According to the official regulations, voters must consider three criteria in the following order of importance:
1. Individual Performances and Decisive Impact
Individual performances are the most important factor in Ballon d'Or voting. Journalists assess a player's consistency, statistics, influence on matches and ability to deliver in decisive moments.
Goals and assists can strengthen a candidate's case, but overall performances and contributions to the team also matter.
2. Collective Performances and Trophies Won
Team achievements are the second criterion. Winning major competitions, such as the UEFA Champions League, domestic leagues and international tournaments, can significantly strengthen a player's candidacy.
However, winning trophies alone does not automatically guarantee the Ballon d'Or. Individual contributions remain essential.
3. Class and Fair Play
The third criterion considers a player's sportsmanship, conduct and behaviour on and off the pitch. Fair play and professionalism form part of the overall assessment.
How Does the Ballon d'Or Voting Points System Work?
Each jury member ranks 10 players from the official 30-player shortlist. Points are awarded according to their position on the ballot:
1st place: 15 points
2nd place: 12 points
3rd place: 10 points
4th place: 8 points
5th place: 7 points
6th place: 5 points
7th place: 4 points
8th place: 3 points
9th place: 2 points
10th place: 1 point
After all ballots are counted, the player with the highest total wins the Ballon d'Or. The remaining nominees are ranked according to their points.
What Happens If There Is a Tie in Ballon d'Or Voting?
If two or more players finish with the same number of points, the winner is determined by the number of first-place votes received.
If the tie persists, second-place votes are compared, followed by third-place votes and subsequent positions until the tie is resolved.
Which Season Counts for the 2026 Ballon d'Or?
The 2026 Ballon d'Or evaluates performances from August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026, covering the 2025/26 season and relevant international competitions, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This means performances during the designated period, rather than an entire calendar year, determine a player's case for the award.
Conclusion
The 2026 Ballon d'Or will reward the player who makes the strongest overall impression across individual performances, team achievements and fair play. With an international jury ranking the nominees through a points-based system, every vote can influence the final outcome. As the ceremony approaches, understanding these rules offers fans a clearer picture of what separates a leading contender from the eventual winner. Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, & Kylian Mbappe are among the favourites for the 2026 Ballon d'Or Award.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who decides the Ballon d'Or winner?
An international jury of specialist football journalists decides the winner. The men's award has 100 voters, while the women's award has 50.
2. Do fans vote for the Ballon d'Or?
No. Fans do not determine the official winner. The result is decided by the designated journalist jury.
3. How many points does a Ballon d'Or winner receive?
There is no fixed winning score. A player's total depends on the points accumulated from all submitted ballots, with 15 points awarded for each first-place vote.
4. Do trophies guarantee a Ballon d'Or win?
No. Team trophies are important, but individual performances and decisive impact rank ahead of collective achievements in the official criteria.
5. What period is considered for the 2026 Ballon d'Or?
The reference period runs from August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026, including relevant international competitions like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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