What happened. Sky Sports assessed the main contenders for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, with Harry Kane the favourite and Lamine Yamal aiming to become the youngest winner. Kylian Mbappe and holder Ousmane Dembele are also in the running.

Kane scored 73 goals in 65 games for club and country in 2025/26.
Yamal netted 25 goals for club and country, a career-best.
Mbappe became the all-time World Cup top scorer.

“the award should go to a "unique" player and was not all about goals”
— Lamine Yamal

The winner will be announced in London on October 26, with Kane hoping to win on home soil.

In this story

H. Kane

Lamine Yamal

Kylian Mbappé

Read the full story at Sky Sports →

More to read

Sky Sports

Euro Debrief: Ballon d'Or candidates Kane, Mbappe and Lamine Yamal all deliver

Mirror Football

Ballon d'Or power rankings as Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe's chances rated

The Guardian

Who should win the Ballon d’Or?

The Guardian

Kane on target, Barcelona stay perfect and Ballon d’Or debate – Football Weekly

GiveMeSport

England 2-3 Spain: Lamine Yamal Was Right About Harry Kane After All

Mirror Football

Harry Kane shows true colours with response to Lamine Yamal's Ballon d'Or jibe