The curtain has fallen on the 2025-26 club season, with Paris Saint-Germain capping another remarkable campaign by lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy. Paris Saint-Germain's success has elevated Ousmane Dembélé into one of the leading contenders for the 2026 Ballon d'Or award.
Few players have enhanced their Ballon d'Or prospects as dramatically as Ousmane Dembélé. He's been at the heart of PSG's success over the past five months, helping the club secure another Champions League title with a series of match-winning performances.
Vitinha is another player whose stock has risen significantly following the club's European triumph. The Portugal international finished third in the 2025 Ballon d'Or standings and could climb even higher if he helps his country enjoy a successful World Cup campaign. His contributions to Portugal's qualifying campaign have been crucial, and he is likely to be a key player for his country at the World Cup.
Michael Olise can match few players' attacking output this season. The Bayern Munich winger recorded 22 goals and 26 assists, producing one of the most impressive statistical campaigns in European football. His success has been all the more impressive given that he has only been at Bayern Munich for a year, having signed from Reading for a reported €15 million.
Harry Kane remains firmly in the race after another prolific season in Germany. The England captain scored 61 goals and registered seven assists for Bayern Munich, underlining his reputation as one of the world's most reliable goalscorers. His consistency has been a major factor in Bayern Munich's success, and his experience of competing at the highest level will be invaluable to England at the World Cup.
Lamine Yamal has enjoyed another outstanding campaign, but the teenager faces a tougher route to the Ballon d'Or. Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final exit has weakened his case compared with some of his rivals, meaning a truly extraordinary World Cup may be required to place him at the top of the rankings.
Kylian Mbappé has repeatedly delivered on football's biggest stage, and now he's entering the World Cup knowing his club achievements alone may not be enough to secure the Ballon d'Or. His experience of competing in the World Cup final will be a major factor in his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or.
With the World Cup now less than two weeks away, the stakes are high for the players competing for the Ballon d'Or award. The tournament will provide one final opportunity for the world's top players to reinforce their claims for football's most prestigious individual honour. Ousmane Dembélé, Vitinha, Michael Olise, Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, and Kylian Mbappé are all set to feature in the tournament, with each hoping to enhance their chances of winning the 2026 Ballon d'Or award.
The 2026 Ballon d'Or race is now firmly in the hands of the FIFA World Cup, with Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé the current favourite to win the award ahead of the tournament. The French forward has been one of the leading contenders for the Ballon d'Or after helping his team secure another Champions League title. However, the World Cup may throw up some unexpected contenders.
Dembélé has been at the heart of PSG's success over the past five months, helping the club secure another Champions League title with a series of match-winning performances. Dembélé scored in the round-of-16 clash against Chelsea, netted twice in the quarter-final at Anfield, struck three times against Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, and added another goal in the final. With such impressive performances in Europe's premier club competition, it's no wonder Dembélé has become a strong favourite in the Ballon d'Or betting.
Vitinha is another player whose stock has risen significantly following the club's European triumph. After finishing third in the 2025 Ballon d'Or standings, the Portugal international could climb even higher if he helps his country enjoy a successful World Cup campaign. Vitinha's contributions to Portugal's qualifying campaign have been crucial, and he is likely to be a key player for his country at the World Cup.
Michael Olise has produced one of the most impressive statistical campaigns in European football, recording 22 goals and 26 assists. His success has been all the more impressive given that he has only been at Bayern Munich for a year, having signed from Reading for a reported €15 million.
Harry Kane's consistency has been a major factor in Bayern Munich's success, and his experience of competing at the highest level will be invaluable to England at the World Cup. The England captain scored 61 goals and registered seven assists for Bayern Munich, underlining his reputation as one of the world's most reliable goalscorers.
Lamine Yamal faces a tougher route to the Ballon d'Or after Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final exit. A truly extraordinary World Cup may be required to place him at the top of the rankings. His impressive performances for Barcelona, however, have made him a serious contender for the award.
Kylian Mbappé has repeatedly delivered on football's biggest stage, and now he's entering the World Cup knowing his club achievements alone may not be enough to secure the Ballon d'Or. Yet, his experience of competing in the World Cup final will be a major factor in his chances of winning the award.
The World Cup now has the world on the edge of their seats, with less than two weeks to go before the tournament kicks off. Ousmane Dembélé, Vitinha, Michael Olise, Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, and Kylian Mbappé are all set to feature in the tournament. Each of these players will be looking to enhance their chances of winning the 2026 Ballon d'Or award.