Kane enters the race as one of the leading contenders after scoring 73 goals for Bayern Munich and England last season. The prolific campaign has made the England captain the bookmakers' favourite and put him in contention to become the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.

However, Kane faces strong competition from Yamal and Mbappe, who both enjoyed outstanding campaigns for club and country. Yamal is also among the 10 nominees for Young Talent of the Year, while Mbappe broke the World Cup scoring record after finding the net 10 times for France.

Lionel Messi has returned to the shortlist for the first time since winning his eighth Ballon d'Or in 2023. The Inter Miami forward impressed at the World Cup with Argentina, but there is no place among the nominees for Cristiano Ronaldo.

African football also has several representatives among the leading individual awards, with Senegal's Sadio Mane and Morocco's Achraf Hakimi included in the men's Ballon d'Or shortlist. Morocco's Yassine Bounou and Senegal's Edouard Mendy are nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year, while Cape Verde's Vozinha is also recognised following his World Cup performances.

Defending champion Ousmane Dembele is also included after another successful season with Paris Saint-Germain. The French club dominate the shortlist with 10 nominees, including Vitinha, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Hakimi and Nuno Mendes.

Rodri is another major name in contention after returning to the list following his 2024 triumph. The Spain midfielder won the World Cup Golden Ball and is now a Barcelona player, joining Yamal and Pau Cubarsi among the Catalan club's nominees.

Premier League representation includes Declan Rice, Bruno Fernandes, Gabriel, Erling Haaland and William Saliba. Fernandes is recognised after setting a new Premier League assist record with 21 last season.

Arsenal have also been recognised in the club and coaching categories after winning their first Premier League title in 22 years and reaching the Champions League final. Mikel Arteta is nominated for Coach of the Year alongside PSG's Luis Enrique, Bayern boss Vincent Kompany, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery and Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.

PSG, Bayern, Arsenal, Flamengo and Bodo/Glimt are the five nominees for Men's Club of the Year.

The Goalkeeper of the Year shortlist includes David Raya, Thibaut Courtois, Emiliano Martinez, Yassine Bounou and World Cup standout Vozinha.

Men's Ballon d'Or nominees: Complete shortlists

Ballon d'Or: Jude Bellingham, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Cucurella, Ousmane Dembele, Luis Diaz, Bruno Fernandes, Gabriel, Erling Haaland, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Lamine Yamal, Sadio Mane, Marquinhos, Lautaro Martinez, Kylian Mbappe, Nuno Mendes, Lionel Messi, Joao Neves, Michael Olise, Willian Pacho, Julian Quinones, Declan Rice, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, William Saliba, Ferran Torres, Dayot Upamecano, Vinicius Jr., Vitinha

Young Talent of the Year: Kerim Alajbegovic, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Pau Cubarsi, Yan Diomande, Lennart Karl, Eli Junior Kroupi, Lamine Yamal, Johan Manzambi, Ibrahim Maza, Warren Zaire-Emery

Goalkeeper of the Year: Yassine Bounou, Thibaut Courtois, Joan Garcia, Gregor Kobel, Emiliano Martinez, Edouard Mendy, David Raya, Matvey Safonov, Vozinha, Unai Simon

Manager of the Year: Luis Enrique, Vincent Kompany, Mikel Arteta, Luis de la Fuente, Unai Emery

Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Flamengo, Bodo/Glimt

Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe headline 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlist