Hakimi the sole Arab candidate for Ballon d'Or, with Bouaddi and Mazza for Best Young Player

The final list of candidates for the 2026 Ballon d'Or has been announced, featuring Moroccan Achraf Hakimi alongside 29 other players. The list for Best Young Player includes Moroccan Ayyoub Bouaddi and Algerian Ibrahim Mazza. Six players from world champion Spain top the list, along with two players from the Saudi league. Argentine Lionel Messi remains a candidate for his ninth award.

France Football magazine has announced the final list of candidates for the 2026 Ballon d'Or for the world's best player, which includes 30 players. The list features Moroccan international full-back Achraf Hakimi, the sole Arab candidate for the award. Six players from the Spanish national team, winners of the 2026 World Cup, top the list: Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, Marc Cucurella, and Ferran Torres. The list also includes a large group of players from European champions Paris Saint-Germain, led by last year's winner Ousmane Dembélé. Argentine Lionel Messi, winner of the Ballon d'Or eight times, remains a candidate for a ninth. Among the candidates are two players from the Saudi league: Senegalese Sadio Mané and Mexican Julián Quiñones. For the Best Young Player award (Kopa Trophy), Moroccan Ayyoub Bouaddi (18) and Algerian Ibrahim Mazza (20) are nominated. For the Best Goalkeeper award, Moroccan Yassine Bounou is present. Competing for the Best Coach award are Spaniards Mikel Arteta, Luis Enrique, Unai Emery, and Luis de la Fuente, and Belgian Vincent Kompany. In the Best Women's Player award, defending champion Aitana Bonmatí did not make the list, but Alexia Putellas is present. Source: Agencies.