Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi leads a strong African contingent among the nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, following the release of the prestigious shortlist by France Football magazine.
The nominations, announced on Tuesday, recognise performances during the 2025–26 season, with the awards ceremony scheduled to take place in London on October 26.
Hakimi has been nominated for the men’s award for the second consecutive year after enjoying another outstanding campaign with Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco.
The defender played a key role as PSG retained the UEFA Champions League for a second successive season, while also helping Morocco secure the Africa Cup of Nations title.
His performances earned him the African Player of the Year award in 2025.
Hakimi is joined on the 30-man men’s shortlist by Senegalese forward Sadio Mané, who currently plays in Saudi Arabia. They are the only African players nominated for the men’s Ballon d’Or.
Africa will also be represented in the women’s Ballon d’Or contest, with Zambia striker Barbra Banda and Malawi forward Temwa Chawinga receiving nominations.
Banda, who plays for Orlando Pride, has established herself as one of Africa’s leading attacking talents, while Chawinga played a pivotal role in Malawi’s remarkable run to the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Malawi’s achievement was particularly notable as the country was making its debut at the tournament.
Africa has further representation in the Kopa Trophy category, which recognises the best young male player in world football.
Ivory Coast’s 19-year-old Yan Diomandé and Algeria’s 20-year-old Ibrahim Maza are among the nominees.
However, they face formidable competition from Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who has already won the award twice.
The continent also features prominently in the goalkeeper category. Morocco’s Yassine Bounou, who plays for Al-Hilal, Senegal’s Édouard Mendy, also based in Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde’s Vozinha have all been nominated.
Their inclusion further underlines Africa’s growing influence among the elite performers recognised by the Ballon d’Or awards.
Paris Saint-Germain have emerged as the dominant club in the men’s nominations, with eight players making the shortlist.
Among them is reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, who remains confident that the prestigious prize could stay in Paris.
“I think this trophy will remain in the hands of a Paris Saint-Germain player,” Dembélé told France Football.
PSG’s nominees face competition from some of the biggest names in world football, including England captain Harry Kane, who helped Bayern Munich win the Bundesliga, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé.
Mbappé enters the contest with a significant individual milestone after overtaking Messi as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, having reached 22 goals.
The French forward has also expressed confidence in his chances of claiming the coveted award.
The women’s Ballon d’Or race appears considerably more open following the absence of reigning three-time winner Aitana Bonmatí.
The Barcelona midfielder was ruled out of much of the season through injury and did not make the shortlist.
Two-time winner Alexia Putellas, Barcelona forward Ewa Pajor and Lyon star Melchie Dumornay are among the leading contenders for the women’s prize.
The 2026 edition also marks the 70th anniversary of the men’s Ballon d’Or, adding further significance to this year’s ceremony.
For the first time in the history of the prestigious awards, the ceremony will be held outside France, with London set to host football’s biggest individual prize on October 26.
With African stars featuring across several categories, the 2026 Ballon d’Or could provide another important platform for the continent’s finest footballers to showcase their growing influence on the global stage.
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