Kane, Bellingham and Rice on 2026 Ballon d'Or list

Harry Kane has been named on the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, with Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice giving England three representatives in the running for one of football's most prestigious individual honours.

England trio included on 30-player shortlist

Kane, now with Bayern Munich, is listed among the nominees after a prolific season in which he scored 73 goals for club and country. The striker is described as the favourite for the award in a shortlist that also features Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham and Arsenal's Rice.

The England trio are part of a field that brings together leading names from across the European game and beyond, reflecting performances at both club and international level.

Messi, Mbappe and Dembele among leading names

Lionel Messi has also been nominated as he looks to claim the Ballon d'Or for a ninth time. The Inter Miami forward, now 39, scored eight goals as Argentina were beaten by Spain in the World Cup final in July. Messi has since retired from international football.

There is also a place on the shortlist for Real Madrid forwards Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, while Paris St-Germain's Ousmane Dembele returns after winning the award last year.

PSG, winners of the past two Champions League titles, have nine nominated players excluding new signing Ferran Torres, underlining the depth of their contribution to the shortlist.

Spain's World Cup winners strongly represented

Spain's World Cup success is reflected in the nominations, with six players from the victorious squad included. Among them is Lamine Yamal, while Ferran Torres also makes the cut after scoring the winning goal in the final.

Torres joined Paris St-Germain from Barcelona in the summer and is one of the standout names linked to Spain's triumph on the international stage.

London to host 70th anniversary ceremony

This year's Ballon d'Or carries added significance as the award marks its 70th anniversary. Created by France Football in 1956, it remains one of the game's defining individual prizes.

The winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on 26 October. Organisers have described the choice of venue as symbolic, paying tribute to former England player Sir Stanley Matthews, the first Ballon d'Or winner.

• Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are England's nominees.
• Lionel Messi is seeking a ninth Ballon d'Or.
• Paris St-Germain have nine nominated players, excluding Ferran Torres.
• The winner will be announced in London on 26 October.