The 2026 Ballon d’Or nominations have brought plenty of attention to African football, with stars from across the continent earning recognition in several of the award categories.
Players representing Morocco, Senegal, Zambia, Malawi, Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria and Cape Verde have made the various shortlists, highlighting the growing influence of African footballers on the global stage.
A total of 10 African players have been nominated across four categories: the Men’s Ballon d’Or, Women’s Ballon d’Or, Men’s Young Talent of the Year and Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
African Players Nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or
Africa has two representatives among the 30 players shortlisted for the main men’s award.
Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi and Senegal forward Sadio Mané have both been included in the prestigious list.
Hakimi’s nomination comes after another impressive season with Paris Saint-Germain, where his performances helped strengthen his reputation as one of the leading full-backs in world football.
Mané, meanwhile, continues to receive international recognition following another productive campaign with Al-Nassr and the Senegal national team.
Their nominations add to the continent’s growing presence among the world’s elite footballers. The recognition also comes at a time when African football remains a major talking point, with the continent’s football authorities recently involved in discussions surrounding the game’s administration.
For more football-related developments, read our report on FIFA, CAF Delay Decision on NFF Crisis, Plan Visit to Nigeria.
African Nominees for the Women’s Ballon d’Or
The women’s shortlist also features two African stars who have enjoyed outstanding campaigns.
They are:
- Barbra Banda – Zambia
- Temwa Chawinga – Malawi
Barbra Banda – Zambia
Zambian forward Barbra Banda has earned another opportunity to compete for the Women’s Ballon d’Or after a strong season with Orlando Pride.
The nomination marks her third appearance among the Ballon d’Or contenders. During the 2025/26 season, Banda recorded 14 goals and one assist in 21 appearances.
Her continued presence among the nominees underlines her status as one of Zambia’s most prominent football stars.
Temwa Chawinga – Malawi
Malawi international Temwa Chawinga has also been rewarded for her impressive performances with Kansas City Current.
Chawinga scored 15 goals and contributed three assists in 22 appearances during the campaign. She also finished as the leading scorer at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Her nomination gives Malawi another major representative on the global football stage and further highlights the quality emerging from African women’s football.
African Young Stars Nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Young Talent Award
Three African players have also been shortlisted for the Men’s Young Talent of the Year award.
The nominees are:
- Ayyoub Bouaddi – Morocco
- Yan Diomandé – Côte d’Ivoire
- Ibrahim Maza – Algeria
Ayyoub Bouaddi – Morocco
Moroccan youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi has attracted attention for his performances at both club and international level.
His inclusion among the young-player nominees reflects the rapid progress he has made and his growing profile in European football.
Yan Diomandé – Côte d’Ivoire
Ivorian prospect Yan Diomandé is another emerging African talent to receive recognition.
The youngster has established himself as one of Côte d’Ivoire’s exciting players, earning a place among the nominees after making an impression with his performances.
Ibrahim Maza – Algeria
Ibrahim Maza completes Africa’s representation in the Young Talent of the Year category.
The Algeria international has continued to attract attention through his club and international displays, placing him among a new generation of African players making their mark on the world stage.
Three African Goalkeepers Make the Shortlist
Africa also has three representatives in the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year category.
The nominees are:
- Yassine Bounou – Morocco
- Édouard Mendy – Senegal
- Vozinha – Cape Verde
Morocco’s Yassine Bounou returns to the list after another strong period between the posts. Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy has also been recognised, while Cape Verde’s Vozinha completes the African contingent in the category.
Their nominations demonstrate that African representation at the 2026 Ballon d’Or extends beyond attacking players, with goalkeepers also receiving recognition for their performances.
Full List of African Nominees at the 2026 Ballon d’Or
Here is the complete list of African players nominated across the four categories:
Men’s Ballon d’Or
- Achraf Hakimi – Morocco
- Sadio Mané – Senegal
Women’s Ballon d’Or
- Barbra Banda – Zambia
- Temwa Chawinga – Malawi
Men’s Young Talent of the Year
- Ayyoub Bouaddi – Morocco
- Yan Diomandé – Côte d’Ivoire
- Ibrahim Maza – Algeria
Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year
- Yassine Bounou – Morocco
- Édouard Mendy – Senegal
- Vozinha – Cape Verde
In total, 10 African footballers have received nominations across the four categories announced for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
The recognition comes as African football continues to produce players capable of competing at the highest level internationally.
Beyond the football headlines, the continent has also been in the news for major developments outside the pitch. Readers can catch up on Tension as Suspected Thugs Prevent Peter Obi’s Convoy From Passing in Benue and Peter Obi Arrives Jos, Heads to Mangu to Visit Attack Victims for more recent Nigerian news.
When Is the 2026 Ballon d’Or Ceremony?
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place in London on October 26, 2026.
The event will bring together some of the biggest names in world football as the winners of the different categories are revealed.
With 10 African players represented across four categories, fans across the continent will be watching closely to see which nominees ultimately take home the prestigious awards.
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