2026 Ballon d'Or Nominees Announced: PSG, Arsenal, and Barcelona Lead the Pack

The nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or Men's and Women's Club of the Year awards have been announced, showcasing top clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, and FC Barcelona. PSG leads the men's nominations with an impressive trophy haul, while Barcelona headlines the women's category after a remarkable season. Other notable nominees include Bayern Munich, Flamengo, and Manchester City. This year's awards promise to highlight the best in football, reflecting outstanding performances across various competitions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 8, 2026, 18:24 IST

Nominees for Men's Club of the Year

The prestigious 2026 Ballon d'Or Men's Club of the Year award has five strong contenders, including Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Bayern Munich, and Arsenal, all of whom had remarkable seasons in both domestic and international tournaments during the 2025-26 campaign.

PSG has made a significant mark by winning multiple trophies, including the UEFA Champions League, Intercontinental Cup, European Super Cup, Ligue 1, and the French Super Cup. Arsenal, the champions of the Premier League, also received a nomination for their impressive performance. Bayern Munich, another nominee, achieved a domestic treble by clinching the Bundesliga, German Cup, and German Super Cup.

Representing South America, Brazil's Flamengo is recognized for their successful season, having won the Copa Libertadores, Brazilian Championship, and the Rio de Janeiro State Championship.

Completing the men's nominees is Norway's Bodo/Glimt, who triumphed in the Norwegian Cup.

Nominees for Women's Club of the Year

In the Women's Club of the Year category, FC Barcelona leads the nominations after an impressive haul of four major trophies. The Spanish club secured victories in the Women's Champions League, Liga, Spanish Cup, and Spanish Super Cup.

They face tough competition from OL Lyonnes, who dominated domestically with a treble that included the French Championship, French Cup, and French League Cup. Manchester City from England also made the shortlist after winning both the Women's Super League (WSL) and the FA Cup.

Bayern Munich is recognized for their domestic success, having won the Bundesliga, German Cup, and German Super Cup. Additionally, Mexico's Club América represents the Americas, highlighted by their wins in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the Mexican Closing Championship.