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The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has intensified following the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup, with England captain Harry Kane leading a star-studded list of 16 leading contenders.
Spain’s World Cup triumph has significantly reshaped the rankings, boosting the chances of players such as Ferran Torres, Rodri and Lamine Yamal, while Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham remain firmly in contention after impressive campaigns for club and country.
According to the updated rankings, the leading contenders are:
Harry Kane
Lamine Yamal
Lionel Messi
Kylian Mbappé
Erling Haaland
Rodri
Ousmane Dembélé
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Michael Olise
Jude Bellingham
Vitinha
Luis Díaz
Achraf Hakimi
Pau Cubarsí
Declan Rice
Lautaro Martínez
The final Ballon d’Or rankings will depend on performances throughout the season before the prestigious award is presented later this year.
