Major Surprise as Arteta, Luis Enrique, Vozinha Earn 2026 Ballon d’Or Nominations

The organisers of the Ballon d’Or have unveiled the first batch of nominees for the 2026 awards, with several prominent figures and clubs recognised for their performances during the 2025/26 season.

The nominations were announced on Tuesday, September 8, as the prestigious football award celebrates its 70th anniversary. The initial list covers categories including Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year, Club of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery and Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany were named among the nominees for the Men’s Coach of the Year award.

In the women’s coaching category, Jonatan Giráldez, Andrée Jeglertz, Nils Nielsen, Pere Romeu and Elena Sadiku earned nominations.

For the Men’s Club of the Year award, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodø/Glimt, Flamengo and Paris Saint-Germain were shortlisted, while Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Club América, Manchester City and OL Lyonnes received nominations in the women’s category.

The Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year nominees include Al-Hilal’s Yassine Bounou, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Barcelona’s Joan García, Gregor Kobel of Borussia Dortmund and Emiliano Martínez.

Other goalkeepers nominated in the category are Edouard Mendy, David Raya, Matvey Safonov, Unai Simón and Cape Verde international Vozinha.

The Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year category features England’s Ann-Katrin Berger, Barcelona’s Cata Coll, Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton, Brazil goalkeeper Lorena and Manchester City Women’s Ayaka Yamashita.

Football fans are still awaiting the highly anticipated nominees for the Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year awards, which are expected to attract significant attention given the performances recorded during the past season.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in London, United Kingdom, on October 26.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé enters the ceremony as the reigning men’s Ballon d’Or winner after claiming the prestigious individual award in 2025.