How can the World Cup affect the race for the 2026 Ballon d'Or award?

Since 2022, football's most prestigious individual prize has been awarded based on a player's performance across a season rather than a calendar year - meaning the World Cup is the final, and biggest, stage for the planet's top stars to put their name further in contention.

As seen in the past, an exceptional showing at a major international tournament can have a big impact on where the Ballon d'Or ends up - particularly if paired with superb performances at club level as well.

It's easy to forget how much of an impact these things can have on the final rankings after nearly two decades of dominance from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Luka Modric, for example, won the award in 2018 after captaining Croatia to the World Cup final to follow on from winning La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid.

Likewise, Rodri was handed the trophy after guiding Manchester City to the Premier League title and winning the 2024 European Championships with Spain.

Major international tournaments have a huge impact on the Ballon d'Or voting, and Flashscore has taken a look at who could put themselves into greater contention with a top showing at the 2026 World Cup.

PSG star a likely winner?

The 2025 Ballon d'Or was won by PSG star Ousmane Dembele, after the forward bagged 51 goal contributions across the campaign, helping his side to a first-ever Champions League title in the process.

The Parisiens won the big European silverware again this time around - as well as Ligue 1 - but Dembele featured less prominently. The 29-year-old still managed 31 goal contributions across all club competitions but only featured 22 times in the league and had the bulk of his games come in Europe.

Dembele is therefore in contention again but perhaps a much less obvious winner than he was last year, although that could change with a starring role for France at the World Cup.

Other PSG players are in with a chance of winning the award, specifically Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The winger notched 19 goals and 11 assists and was named Champions League Player of the Season - but his national team, Georgia, won't be at the World Cup in the summer.

Midfield sensation Vitinha is another to keep an eye on. The 26-year-old finished third in the voting last year and could have a clearer path to the top this time around - especially if Portugal upset the odds in North America.

Bayern Munich duo in with a chance

Bayern Munich's attacking duo of Harry Kane and Michael Olise also have fair shouts at the Ballon d'Or, although neither will have the boost of winning the Champions League like their PSG counterparts.

The two forwards were integral parts of a record-breaking campaign for Bayern, though, after helping the team set the Bundesliga goal record of 122 scored by one club in a single season.

Kane bagged a staggering 61 goals and seven assists, while Olise was equally impressive with 22 goals and 31 assists (both in all competitions).

Both players could also play big roles at the World Cup with England and France, respectively, and if either were to earn the Golden Ball or Golden Boot en route to winning the major trophy, then it would become harder to look past them despite no European silverware.

Could any other England players feature?

Kane is undoubtedly England's best hope for a first Ballon d'Or winner since Michael Owen in 2001, but could any other Three Lions players stake their claim?

Realistically, it seems quite unlikely, but if we were to suggest one, it would be Declan Rice. The midfielder guided Arsenal to a first Premier League title in over 20 years and a narrow Champions League final defeat, but other individuals probably stand out a lot more at this stage.

Spain's young phenom

Lamine Yamal finished second in the Ballon d'Or rankings last year and has continued his meteoric rise into senior football over the past season.

The 18-year-old has been sensational once again for Barcelona and ended the regular campaign with 24 goals and 18 assists.

He will also be the focal point of a Spain side that many are backing to go far at the World Cup and there is huge potential there for the youngster to turn the Ballon d'Or tide in his favour with a string of influential performances.

Yamal also has some silverware to his name for the last year, having won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup.

What about Real Madrid's star forward?

Kylian Mbappe has kept up a brilliant individual campaign despite Real Madrid's well-documented plight over the past year.

The striker has scored 42 goals in all competitions but as of yet has not won any major silverware. On an individual level, though, he was the top scorer in both La Liga and the Champions League and is just two goals away from becoming France's record goalscorer.

He will likely break that record at the World Cup and if he were to spearhead France's attack all the way to the trophy, things might start to look a bit better for him in the Ballon d'Or chase.

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