Ballon d'Or 2026: Nominees for Johan Cruyff Trophy Announced

The nominees for the Johan Cruyff Trophy, awarded at the Ballon d'Or 2026 ceremony, have been announced. Notable names include FIFA World Cup-winning coach Luis de la Fuente and Premier League champion Mikel Arteta. The event will take place in London on October 26, showcasing the best in men's and women's football coaching. Discover the full list of nominees and their remarkable achievements in this exciting season.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 8, 2026, 17:56 IST

Overview of the Johan Cruyff Trophy

Luis de la Fuente, the coach who led Spain to victory in the FIFA World Cup, and Mikel Arteta, the manager who guided Arsenal to Premier League success, are among the nominees for the prestigious Johan Cruyff Trophy. This award will be presented during the annual Ballon d'Or ceremony.

The Ballon d'Or, recognized as the pinnacle of individual achievement in football, began announcing its nominees on Wednesday. The ceremony is scheduled to take place in London on October 26 this year.

The Johan Cruyff Trophy, which honors the top coaches in both men's and women's football, was first awarded in 2024.

Men's Coach of the Year Nominees

The nominees for the Men's Coach of the Year include:

1. Mikel Arteta - Arsenal

2. Luis de la Fuente - Spain National Team

3. Unai Emery - Aston Villa

4. Vincent Kompany - Bayern Munich

5. Luis Enrique - Paris Saint-Germain

Arteta's leadership saw Arsenal clinch the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years, finishing the season with 26 wins, 7 draws, and 5 losses, totaling 85 points. Additionally, he led the team to a UEFA Champions League runner-up finish against PSG.

De la Fuente achieved a remarkable feat by guiding Spain to their second FIFA World Cup title in July, marking their first win since 2010, with a narrow 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final.

Emery's Aston Villa secured a UEFA Champions League spot with a fourth-place finish in the Premier League and triumphed in the UEFA Europa League final against SC Freiburg.

Kompany, who has been managing Bayern Munich since 2024, led the team to a domestic treble, winning the Bundesliga, German Cup, and German Super Cup last season.

Enrique established a significant legacy at PSG, winning back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles, along with Ligue 1, the French Super Cup, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025, and a second UEFA Super Cup title.

Women's Coach of the Year Nominees

In the women's category, Jonatan Giraldez is nominated for his success with OL Lyonnes, where he led the team to victory in the French Championship, French Cup, and French League Cup. Other nominees include:

1. Andree Jeglertz - Manchester City (Women's Super League 2025-26, FA Cup)

2. Nils Nielsen - Japan National Team (AFC Women's Asian Cup)

3. Pere Romeu - FC Barcelona (Champions League, Liga, Spanish Cup, Spanish Super Cup)

4. Elena Sadiku - BK Hacken FF (UEFA Women's Europa Cup)

These nominations highlight the exceptional talent and achievements in women's football this season.