The 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist is here, as NWSL and USWNT standouts joined a European-heavy field — including eight members of Club of the Year frontrunner Barcelona’s UWCL champion squad.
NWSL stars like back-to-back MVP Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City), Barbra Banda (Orlando), and 2025 US Soccer Player of the Year Rose Lavelle (Gotham) headline the 30-player lineup. Ex-North Carolina midfielder Manaka Matsukubo, who transferred to Chelsea in July, also features.
Lorena (Kansas City) and Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham) both picked up Goalkeeper of the Year noms.
Manchester City’s Khadija “Bunny” Shaw is a favorite after her 21-goal, WSL-winning run. Meanwhile, rising USWNT star Lily Yohannes made the Young Talent of the Year cut after lifting France’s treble with OL Lyonnes.
Two-time reigning winner Aitana Bonmatí was left off after an injury-struck season, while her 2025/26 Barcelona teammates Alexia Putellas, Mapi León, Esmee Brugts, Clàudia Pina, Caroline Graham Hansen, Ewa Pajor, Patri Guijarro, and Cata Coll all got the call.
Club América striker Scarlett Camberos became the Ballon d’Or’s first-ever Mexican shortlister. Her team followed suit, subsequently becoming Liga MX Femenil’s first Club of the Year nominee.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or lands in London on October 26th (DAZN).
