2026 BALLON D'OR FULL LIST OF NOMINEES REVEALED AS HARRY KANE EMERGES AS FAVOURITE

 

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The nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or have been announced, setting up a race that includes some of soccer’s biggest stars and gives voters plenty to consider after a World Cup year.

Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland and Rodri are among the players competing for the award alongside reigning winner Ousmane Dembélé.

This year’s voting carries an added wrinkle because performances at the 2026 World Cup fall within the eligibility period. That has reshaped the race after the summer tournament, with Kane sitting atop the odds while Yamal has gained ground after helping Spain win the World Cup.

The winner will be revealed on Oct. 26 in London.

Harry Kane Leads 2026 Ballon d’Or Odds After Huge Season

Kane enters the race as the clear betting favorite, with his odds giving him a 67% implied probability of winning his first Ballon d’Or, according to Covers.com.

The Bayern Munich striker has both individual numbers and team accomplishments working in his favor.

Kane scored 50 goals across all competitions while helping Bayern capture a domestic double, ending his long wait for major team silverware. He also helped England make a deep run at the World Cup.

Those accomplishments have put Kane in a commanding position ahead of the vote, but he is not running unopposed.

Yamal has experienced one of the biggest swings in the market after playing a key role in Spain’s World Cup victory.

The Barcelona star previously climbed 22 percentage points to a 26% implied probability before settling at 17%. His performance on soccer’s biggest international stage has helped turn him into one of Kane’s most prominent challengers.

Rodri, Yamal’s Spain teammate, is also in contention at 6%. The Manchester City midfielder helped anchor Spain during its championship run and has gained support despite playing a position that does not typically produce the eye-catching scoring numbers of the award’s attacking contenders.

Kylian Mbappé Loses Ground Despite 42-Goal Season

Mbappé remains one of the biggest names in the Ballon d’Or field, but his odds fell after the World Cup.

The Real Madrid star dropped 18 percentage points to approximately 14% following the tournament.

Mbappé scored 42 goals for Real Madrid last season, but the club did not win a trophy and exited the Champions League early. France also missed the World Cup final before losing a 6-4 match against England for third place.

Despite those results, Mbappé recently made it clear that he believes his individual season belongs in the Ballon d’Or conversation.

He said it would be a “good year for him” to capture the award.

Lionel Messi is further down the market at 3% despite his team reaching another World Cup final.

Ballon d’Or Winner Will Be Decided by International Journalists

France Football and UEFA will co-organize the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on Oct. 26.

A jury of international journalists representing the top 100 countries in the latest FIFA rankings selects the men’s winner. Each voter selects a top 10, with players receiving between 15 and one point based on their placement.

Dembélé won the 2025 Ballon d’Or with 1,380 points, accounting for 92% of the total points available.

The 2026 ceremony will also recognize the top young player, goalkeeper and club.

Yamal is among the 10 nominees for Men’s Young Talent of the Year, joining Pau Cubarsi, Lennart Karl, Warren Zaire-Emery and others.

The Yashin Trophy field for goalkeeper of the year  Thibaut Courtois, David Raya, Unai Simón, Yassine Bonou and Emiliano Martínez.

Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodo/Glimt, Flamengo and Paris Saint-Germain have been nominated for Men’s Club of the Year.

- Perry Miller Carpenter

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'WHAT DO I KNOW?' - DONALD TRUMP JOINS CRITICISM OF THOMAS TUCHEL FOR PLAYING 'GOLF PARTNER' HARRY KANE IN 'DEFENSE' DURING WORLD CUP EXIT

 

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United States President Donald Trump has offered an unlikely critique of Thomas Tuchel's tactics following England's dramatic World Cup semi-final exit against Argentina. The American leader questioned the decision to drop captain Harry Kane into a deep defensive role after the Three Lions surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 in Atlanta.

Tuchel faces unlikely critic

Criticism of Tuchel's tactics following England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina has come from an unexpected source, with US President Trump questioning the manager's decisions. The Three Lions looked set to reach the final after Anthony Gordon opened the scoring, but Tuchel's switch to a back five - eventually finishing with six defenders - allowed Argentina to dominate the closing stages. Lionel Messi set up goals for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, sealing a dramatic 2-1 win for the South Americans.

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Trump questions tactical mistake

Speaking alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino during an event at Trump Tower, Trump referenced his friendship with Kane from a past round of golf before questioning the manager's tactical adjustments.

Trump said: "You have a great player in England, who I played golf with. You know that, right? Harry, who's been fantastic. I think they perhaps made a mistake when they made him a defensive player.

"What do I know about soccer? They took the lead, and they took their best player and put him on defence. We have got to be a little offensive, right? But I'm not going to call it. What do I know about coaching? It was unusual, but Harry is a great guy, actually."

Manager rejects defensive claims

Tuchel shrugged off Trump's comments while defending his team's defensive structure and the captain's role on the pitch. Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the third-place playoff against France, the England boss insisted: "Do you use Donald Trump as your witness for the case or...? I was just asking.

"In which situation did Harry play too deep? What do you mean? Like in the last 30 minutes? Well, we defended in a deep block. That's what you do if you defend in a block. We were not active enough, we could not escape the deep block, but if you defend in a deep block, everyone defends in a deep block. That is what team spirit, togetherness, and mentality is translated to in football terms.

"We defend as a 10 and as 11, and if we are pushed back to a deep block, Harry defends in a deep block. This is what he did for moments in the first half. The difference is that we pushed back and we stepped out and we found the triggers to come out of the deep block. But we do everything together as a team.

"The team spirit, the togetherness, the mentality that this team built in the last six and a half weeks is not to be questioned and it showed even in defending. We became too passive in the last 30 minutes. We could not get hold of the ball, we could not find duels anymore. This is the next step that we want to take and from there we go."

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FA backing remains firm

England must swiftly shift their focus to face a tough test against France in Saturday's World Cup third-place playoff match. Despite the wave of criticism following their semi-final collapse, ESPNreports that Tuchel's position remains perfectly secure, with the tactician retaining the full backing of the Football Association (FA) to lead the team through to Euro 2028.

- Adhe Makayasa

"WE JUST TRIED TO HOLD ON": ENGLAND CAPTAIN HARRY KANE PUTS COACH THOMAS TUCHEL ON SPOTLIGHT

England captain Harry Kane admitted that they became too defensive after taking the lead in the first half and said it was not enough at the highest level.

Harry Kane questioned coach Thomas Tuchel's tactics against Argentina

England captain Harry Kane expressed disappointment, saying that he is "gutted for the team, the staff, the fans" after defending champions Argentina staged a dramatic comeback to defeat the Three Lions 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal in Atlanta on Wednesday (local time), as per the FIFA website. The result sent Argentina into the World Cup 2026 final, where they will face Spain on Sunday, July 19 (local time), while England's hopes of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966 came to a heartbreaking end.

After the match, Kane expressed his disappointment, saying the team gave everything but were left heartbroken. He admitted that they became too defensive after taking the lead in the first half and said it was not enough at the highest level.

"I'm gutted for the team, the staff, the fans. We played a good game for the majority of it. When we went 1-0 up, we seemed to just try to hold on, which at this level is not enough. We worked so hard to be here. The lads have given every bit of blood, sweat and tears. To fall short like we did is just gutting," he said while speaking to the broadcasters, according to the FIFA Website.

Kane said England had several positive moments in the tournament and are close to success, but need to find the missing piece to overcome the final hurdle.

"We had a lot of good moments in this tournament. A lot of good games, another semi-final. We talk about knocking on the door. We're close, we just need to find that missing piece in the final stage of the tournament," Harry Kane added.

Harry Kane reconocio la presion ejercida por Argentina pic.twitter.com/qLmgKKt43H

— Hugo Basilico (@hugobasilico) July 16, 2026

In the match, England took the lead in the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon, but Argentina responded with sustained pressure. Enzo Fernandez equalised in the 85th minute before Lionel Messi assisted Lautaro Martinez's stoppage-time winner to complete the turnaround.

The match was a tightly contested affair, with both teams creating limited chances in the first half. Argentina's victory ended England's hopes of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966. The Three Lions will face France in the third-place playoff, while Argentina will meet Spain in the final on July 19.

- ANI

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HARRY KANE 'TURNS INTO MICKEY MOUSE'

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Harry Kane scored the winning goal as England beat Mexico 3-2 to book their place in the World Cup quarter-final, but the England captain was forced to end his BBC interview early

England hero Harry Kane was forced to cut short a post-match interview with the BBC after losing his voice following the rollercoaster 3-2 World Cup win over Mexico.

The England skipper netted what proved to be the decisive goal in a thrilling triumph over the tournament's co-hosts at the famous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The 10-man Three Lions secured their spot in the World Cup quarter-finals thanks to the victory. They are now set to face Norway on Saturday evening.

But in the immediate aftermath of the final whistle, following celebrations with supporters, Kane participated in an interview with the BBC. However, it soon became clear that he had lost his voice, resulting in his responses sounding somewhat more high-pitched than usual and leaving everyone in stitches,

Kane admitted: "My voice has gone!" Coughing and clearing his throat, he said: "It was a crazy game... we had to fight haha, we had to find something, I've just been singing there, I can't really talk but..."

He continued: "All the occasion, the team, everything against us, we found a way."

As he brought the interview to an end, he said: "Incredible, unbelievable support, speechless, I can't even talk!" Before the BBC interviewer said: "Go and rest that voice Harry."

One fan joked: "90 mins at the Azteca Stadium and Harry Kane turned into Mickey Mouse!" A second said: "Harry Kane turns into Mickey Mouse after England's win over Mexico." A third laughed: "Harry Kane channels his inner Mickey Mouse!"

Meanwhile, back in the BBC studio, Kane's former team-mate, Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney, couldn't contain his laughter. He said: "It's the best interview ever!"

England had overcome hostility, altitude and Jarell Quansah’s red card as Thomas Tuchel's side edged the contest. England started well 2,200 metres above sea level when the last-16 tie eventually got under way an hour late because of bad weather.

Jude Bellingham’s quickfire brace silenced the home supporters whose hopes would be revived by Julian Quinones before the break. Mexican belief grew further when right-back Quansah was sent off for a clumsy challenge early in the second half, only for Tuchel’s team to immediately respond through skipper Kane’s spot-kick when Anthony Gordon was brought down.

Raul Jimenez added a penalty of his own to increase English nerves, after Kane accidentally booted Brian Gutierrez in the box, yet the visitors showed defensive nous and togetherness to win on a wild night in Mexico City.

A date with Norway in Miami is the reward as England kept their quest for World Cup glory alive and helped avenge Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ on their return to the Azteca after 40 years.

- Amie Wilson and Neil Docking

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ULI HOENEẞ ON HARRY KANE

 

🚨 Uli Hoeneß on Harry Kane:

🗣️ Hoeneß: "Harry is the best transfer we've ever made. Barcelona are interested? Well Bayern is a buying club not a selling club, and Barca have no money anyway."

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WHAT DOES BAYERN MUNICH STAR HARRY KANE NEED TO DO TO WIN THE BALLON D'OR THIS YEAR?

Could the FC Bayern star win the Ballon d’Or?

MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 19: Harry Kane of Bayern Muenchen celebrates as he scores the goal 4:1 during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and VfB Stuttgart at Allianz Arena on April 19, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stefan Matzke - sampics/Getty Images) Getty Images

For all of Bayern Munich’s dominance domestically, the path to the Ballon d’Or almost always runs through bigger stages and brighter lights. For Harry Kane, the equation is fairly simple in theory, but incredibly difficult in practice — combine overwhelming individual production with undeniable team success, especially in Europe.

First, the numbers must be absurd (and they are — Kane has 51 goals and six assists in 46 games across all competitions this season). Kane is already one of the most complete forwards in world football, but Ballon d’Or campaigns demand statistical separation. It is not just about scoring, though, it is about being the central force in everything Bayern Munich does in attack. Voters tend to reward players who feel inevitable, and Kane needs to continue to show that for the rest of the season, game in and game out.

Second, silverware is non-negotiable. Winning the Bundesliga probably does not move the needle much on its own. The real swing factor is the UEFA Champions League. If Kane leads Bayern Munich to a Champions League title — especially with decisive performances in the knockout rounds, his case strengthens dramatically. Iconic moments matter — late winners, dominant displays against elite clubs, and a visible imprint on the biggest matches.

Third, international impact could be a differentiator. If Kane delivers standout performances for England national team in the World Cup, it adds narrative weight. The Ballon d’Or is not just about data; it is about storylines, and international success often resonates with voters.

Finally, Kane must outshine the competition. Players like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and others will also put up huge numbers. To separate himself, Kane needs signature performances in the biggest games — the kind that linger in voters’ minds when ballots are cast.

In short, if Harry Kane wants the Ballon d’Or, he must pair elite consistency with unforgettable moments on football’s grandest stages.

So what do you say— what does Kane need to do to win the Ballon d’Or? A double? A treble? A World Cup? All of the above?

- CSmith1919

KYLIAN MBAPPÉ LEADS IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SCORING

 

REPORT: JAMAL MUSIALA'S CONTRACT EXTENSION AT BAYERN MUNICH SEES HIS SALARY 'APPROACH 30 MILLION'

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Jamal Musiala’s contract extension at Bayern Munich last season was quite a big story. For one, the extension reportedly bumped the 21-year-old up to the same wage as top earner Harry Kane on €25 million a year. He was also reportedly granted a release clause in his contract, a controversial measure for the Bavarians giants.

But, according to Bild, Musiala’s contract is even more beneficial to the former Chelsea FC youngster than it seems. The inconsistent German news outlet reports, as captured by @iMiaSanMia, Musiala could earn even more than first expected:

Jamal Musiala is currently the highest paid player at FC Bayern, earning more than Harry Kane. With all bonuses and clauses included, Musiala’s Bayern salary approaches €30m gross per year.

So what exactly does “approaches 30 million” mean, exactly? It is reasonable to assume, if this report is true, that this extra money is related to bonuses. They could even be fairly obscure bonuses, which would explain why they were initially missed.

But this is also Bild, who like to report Bayern’s wages very inconsistently. So perhaps they are simply wrong.

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JAMAL MUSIALA NAMED IN BAYERN MUNICH'S UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SQUAD

Jamal Musiala has not played for Bayern Munich since suffering a serious leg injury on 5 July. - © IMAGO/Teresa Kröger /M.i.S.

Bayern Munich have included injured star Jamal Musiala in their squad for the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League.

Musiala, who has been out of action since suffering a serious leg and ankle break against Paris Saint-Germain at the FIFA Club World Cup in July, is among the 23 players selected by Vincent Kompany for the league phase of the tournament, which gets under way later this month.

The 22-year-old told Sport Bild earlier this week that he is aiming to return to first-team action with Bayern before the end of the calendar year.

His return has now moved one step closer after his inclusion in Kompany's squad, which also features new signings Tom Bischof, Luis Díaz, Nicolas Jackson and Jonathan Tah as well as the usual suspects such as Harry Kane, Joshua Kimmich and captain Manuel Neuer.

“The healing process is going according to plan,” he said. “I no longer need crutches. “I don’t want to specify a date, but given the progress I’ve made so far, I’d say I want to be playing competitive matches with Bayern in 2025.”

The reigning Bundesliga champions, who have started the 2025/26 season with four wins in all competitions, kick-off their Champions League campaign at home to English Premier League side Chelsea at the Allianz Arena on 17 September. 

They will then face Paris Saint-Germain (A), Club Brugge (H), Arsenal (A), Sporting Lisbon (H), PSV Eindhoven (A), Union Saint-Gilloise (H), and Pafos (A) in the league stage.

Bayern’s Champions League squad in full:

Goalkeepers

Manuel Neuer, Sven Ulreich, Jonas Urbig

Defenders

Dayot Upamecano, Minjae Kim, Jonathan Tah, Hiroki Ito, Raphaël Guerreiro, Sacha Boey, Cassiano Kiala, Josip Stanišić

Midfielders

Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise, Alphonso Davies, Tom Bischof, Konrad Laimer, Aleksandar Pavlović

Forwards

Serge Gnabry, Harry Kane, Nicolas Jackson, Luis Díaz

- Bundesliga

HARRY KANE LAUNDS CLUBS WORLD CUP: 'LOVING THIS TOURNAMENT '

Harry Kane has said that Bayern Munich's Club World Cup win over Boca Juniors was played amid "one of the best" atmospheres of his career and added that he is "loving this tournament so far."

The England captain opened the scoring with an 18th-minute strike as the 2-1 victory, played in front of a full Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, saw Bayern become the first team to qualify for the knockout stages.

Argentine football fans are renowned for their passionate support and the atmosphere they can create is considered one of the most intense in world sport.

Boca supporters have made their presence known in Miami with fans gathering on the beach in their thousands and singing in local Walmarts.

Asked if he was surprised by the Boca fans, Kane said: "No, not surprised. I expected them to be loud like they were but it was an incredible atmosphere to be honest. One of the best [atmospheres] of my career. Credit to them but also credit to the Bayern fans. They tried to help us as much as possible but it was hard with all of the Boca fans there. They made it a special night, they won't go home happy but it was a great game."

Bayern's win followed eye-catching victories for South American sides over more fancied European opponents. Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain were shocked by Botafogo before Chelsea came unstuck against Flamengo on Friday.

FIFA's revamped competition has faced heavy criticism but Kane said he has been enjoying the post-season tournament in the United States.

"I think it's great to experience different teams and I think you've seen in this tournament already the South American teams especially have caused big problems for some of the European teams," Kane said.

Harry Kane scored Bayern Munich's first goal in their 2-1 win over Boca Juniors in Miami. Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images

"It shows how big football is worldwide and how good some of these players are. You have to be ready for the next game, the next opportunity. I'm loving this tournament so far and hopefully we can be here for a while."

Soaring temperatures in the U.S. have been a talking point with Dortmund planning to rotate their team to overcome the hot conditions they expect on Saturday, with coach Niko Kovac fearing the impact of the midday sun in Cincinnati.

But Kane insisted playing in the heat is to be expected in summer tournaments.

"I'm not concerned [about the heat]. I think it's part of football. You have to be able to adapt," he said. "This is a great experience for me and some of the other England guys who are going to be playing next year in the World Cup. So, you know, something special about these kinds of Club World Cup games and next year will be the same.

"When you come off that pitch and you're sweating and you're dripping and you're cramping and you've given everything from the pitch, there's a special kind of feeling inside, especially when you win. That's what we have to do."

Asked for his thoughts on the tournament as a whole, Kane said: "I think, of course, it's the first ones, so people are a little bit sceptical of what it's going to be like, but if you're playing the best teams in the world every four years, it's going to be a really prestigious tournament in the future."

Bayern face Benfica in their final group stage game on Tuesday.

Information from ESPN's Lizzy Becherano and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

- ESPN