2026 Ballon d’Or: Organisers list criteria to decide winner

The organisers of the Ballon d’Or award have listed the criteria for selecting this year’s winner.
There are two months to go until the gala on October 26.

The battle for the 70th edition of the award remains one of the most open and contested races in recent history.

Once the nominees are announced, an international jury of specialised journalists will cast their votes.

The panel consists of one representative from each of the top 100 nations in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking and the top 50 in the Women’s World Ranking.

A statement on the organisers’ website noted that each voter selects their top choices based on three established criteria: individual and decisive performance; collective achievements and trophies won; and class and fair play on and off the pitch.

The accumulated points will determine who takes home the prestigious trophies on October 26.

Last year, France and Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembélé claimed his first Men’s Ballon d’Or.

In the women’s category, Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmatí made history by securing her third consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin trophy.