The 2026 Women's Ballon d'Or nominee list has been revealed, and it contains a major shock: reigning champion Aitana Bonmatí is absent from the 30-candidate field. The Barcelona midfielder, who won the award in consecutive years, suffered a fractured leg in November and missed significant portions of the season as a result of the injury.
Bonmatí's Historic Achievement and Injury Impact
Bonmatí stands among football's most decorated players in Ballon d'Or history. She is only the third footballer ever to win three consecutive awards, joining Michel Platini (1982–1984) and Lionel Messi (2009–2012) in that exclusive club. Her absence marks a significant turn after dominating the women's game over the past two seasons. The injury, sustained late in 2024, fundamentally altered her campaign and left voters with limited recent performances to evaluate.
Another notable omission concerns Italian representation in the award's history. No Italian players made the cut this year, continuing a pattern of limited recognition for the nation's footballers. Last season, Cristiana Girelli finished 16th and Sofia Cantore placed 24th. Two years prior, Manuela Giugliano became the first Italian ever nominated, finishing 27th. The only Italian connection comes through Como, which features Belgian forward Tessa Wullaert among the nominees.
The 2026 Candidate Field
The 30-person shortlist includes established stars and rising talent across multiple nations:
- Kerstin Casparij (Netherlands, Manchester City)
- Temwa Chawinga (Malawi, Kansas City Current)
- Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway, Barcelona)
- Alex Greenwood (England, Manchester City)
- Mapi León (Spain, Barcelona)
- Melvine Malard (France, Manchester United)
- Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands, Manchester City)
- Alexia Putellas (Spain, Barcelona)
- Caroline Weir (Scotland, Real Madrid)
The ceremony will take place on 26 October in London, marking the first time the Ballon d'Or will be hosted outside Paris. France Football, the award's organising body, chose London to honour the 70th anniversary of the inaugural 1956 ceremony, won by English legend Stanley Matthews. This historic venue change underscores the growing global prominence of women's football.
