The ink has barely dried on Ousmane Dembele's historic 2025 Ballon d'Or win, but the world of football never stops.
With the 2025/26 season already underway, the race for next year's Ballon d'Or, awarded to the best player based on seasonal performance rather than calendar-year form, is heating up fast.
This upcoming year, the stakes are even higher because of the 2026 World Cup, and in World Cup years, anything can happen. A deep World Cup run can catapult a player straight to the Ballon d'Or podium, as history has repeatedly shown.
But hard work and talent alone won't be enough; club success in the Champions League, Premier League, La Liga, and other elite competitions will heavily influence the vote as well.
Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich have all started the season in great form, positioning their star players as frontrunners for football's most prestigious individual award.
In this blog post, I will go over the top seven contenders who have the best chance of winning the 2026 Ballon d'Or. The player to win the Ballon d'Or during the last World Cup 2022 was Lionel Messi after leading Argentina to World Cup glory.
What are the 2026 Ballon d'Or Power Rankings Right Now?
1. Kylian Mbappe - Real Madrid and France
The French forward's long-awaited move to Real Madrid is already paying off, with 18 goals in just 15 games this season for Los Blancos.
After winning the previous European Golden Boot with 31 La Liga goals, Mbappe has firmly established himself as the frontrunner in our Ballon d'Or 2026 power rankings.
With France expected to make a deep World Cup run and Real Madrid challenging for the Champions League, Mbappe has the perfect opportunity to finally win football's most prestigious individual award.
2. Harry Kane - Bayern Munich and England
England's all-time leading scorer has been unstoppable for Bayern Munich, netting 22 goals and getting three assists in just 16 games this season.
The striker finally claimed his first major trophy last season, the Bundesliga title, and is now hunting Champions League and World Cup glory.
If Kane can lead England to success at the World Cup and fire Bayern to European silverware, he could become England's first Ballon d'Or winner since Michael Owen in 2001.
3. Erling Haaland - Manchester City and Norway
The Norwegian goal machine has exploded out of the blocks this season with 17 goals in 13 games for Manchester City, proving he's back to his devastating best.
Haaland's ability to dominate big games shows why he remains one of world football's most feared strikers.
While Norway won't compete for the World Cup, if Haaland leads Man City to Champions League glory and another Premier League title, and he keeps breaking goal-scoring records, he'll definitely be a Ballon d'Or contender.
4. Lamine Yamal - Barcelona and Spain
At just 18 years old, Barcelona's teenage sensation has the football world asking if he could become the youngest Ballon d'Or winner in history.
With four goals and five assists in nine games this season, Yamal continues his fast rise to the top after helping Spain win Euro 2024 as a 16-year-old.
If Yamal leads Barcelona to La Liga glory and inspires Spain to World Cup success this summer, the unthinkable could become a reality.
5. Pedri - Barcelona and Spain
Barcelona may have finally found their long-term successor to Andres Iniesta in this 22-year-old midfield maestro.
Widely considered one of the best midfielders in the world right now, Pedri's progressive passing and technical brilliance make him one of the most valuable players for both Barcelona and Spain.
Along with his stellar performances, a La Liga title, and a World Cup triumph, Pedri can definitely be put on the Ballon d'Or podium.
6. Luis Diaz - Bayern Munich and Colombia
Liverpool's controversial summer sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich looks more questionable by the week, as the Colombian winger has exploded with 10 goals and five assists in 16 games.
His blistering form, including two goals against Paris Saint-Germain, has made Bayern serious Champions League contenders and, of course, Bundesliga contenders as always.
The only obstacle in Luis Diaz's way is the World Cup, since it is unlikely that Colombia will win the trophy, which can limit his chances to win the Ballon d'Or.
7. Ousmane Dembele - PSG and France
The reigning Ballon d'Or holder faces the enormous challenge of repeating his breakthrough 2024/25 season, but early signs suggest he's up for the fight.
With three goals and two assists in nine games for Paris Saint-Germain, Dembele remains the crown jewel in Luis Enrique's project.
Historically speaking, winning back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards is extremely rare, but with France expected to make a deep run into the World Cup and PSG pushing for Champions League and League 1 success, Dembele has the platform to make history again.
