The Bola de Ouro 2026 nominations have officially been unveiled by France Football, setting the stage for a historic ceremony on October 26, 2026, in London, England. Marking its milestone 70th anniversary, the prestigious football awards gala departs from its traditional home in Paris—where it has resided since 2019 at the Théâtre du Châtelet, alongside past landmark venues like the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Palais—to honor English striker Stanley Matthews, the award’s inaugural recipient in 1956.
Men’s Coach of the Year Nominees Highlight Spanish Dominance
Tactical masterminds from Spain command the men’s coaching category for 2026. Four of the five shortlisted professionals hail from Spain, according to tournament organizers: Mikel Arteta of Arsenal, Luis Enrique of Paris Saint-Germain, Unai Emery of Aston Villa, and Spain national team boss Luis de la Fuente. Notably, De La Fuente stands out as the sole nominee on the list who operates at the national team level, having guided Spain to World Cup glory earlier this year.
Nominated for the 2026 Men’s Coach of the Year ⬇️
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 8, 2026
Mikel Arteta – Arsenal
Luis de la Fuente – Spain national team
Unai Emery – Aston Villa
Vincent Kompany – Bayern Munich
Luis Enrique – Paris-SG pic.twitter.com/pP1pYnK9sl
Women’s Coach Shortlist Features Global Leaders
The women’s coaching category features a diverse group of elite tacticians, though notable absences caught the attention of pundits. Elena Sadiku earned a spot following a remarkable 2025 campaign where she led Celtic to their first Scottish Women’s Premier League title before taking over Denmark’s BK Häcken in December, subsequently capturing the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup in May. The remaining nominees include Jonatan Giraldez of OL Lyonnes, Andrée Jeglertz of Manchester City, Nils Nielsen of the Japan national team, and FC Barcelona’s Pere Romeu.
Nominated for the 2026 Women’s Coach of the Year ⬇️
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 8, 2026
Jonatan Giráldez – OL Lyonnes
Andrée Jeglertz – Manchester City
Nils Nielsen – Japan national team
Pere Romeu – FC Barcelona
Elena Sadiku – Celtic/BK Häcken
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Flamengo Earns Men’s Club of the Year Nomination
South American representation shines brightly in the Men’s Club of the Year category. The Rubro-Negro join a competitive field that includes reigning winners Paris Saint-Germain—who captured the Champions League, Ligue 1, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, and French Super Cup—alongside Premier League side Arsenal, German powerhouse Bayern Munich, and Norwegian surprise Bodø/Glimt, who reached the Round of 16 in Europe’s premier club competition.
Nominated for the 2026 Men’s Club of the Year 🏴
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 8, 2026
Arsenal
Bayern Munich
Bodø/Glimt
Flamengo
Paris-SG
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#ballondor pic.twitter.com/tzQSMLcpjk
Voting Process and London Ceremony Details
Organized by France Football, the Bola de Ouro awards are determined by a specialized voting jury comprising 100 international sports journalists representing the top 100 FIFA-ranked football nations. While the exact London venue hosting the October 26 ceremony remains unannounced, the relocation to England serves as a direct tribute to Stanley Matthews, who received the inaugural trophy in Blackpool in 1956 after it was conceived by journalist Gabriel Hanot.
/https://i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2026/m/L/3Q2JIDQgWQP2s1wUCa8A/9b012cf1-2a41-468d-8507-9aa4d979d85f.webp "Photo: oglobo.globo.com")
Fans and analysts will monitor further announcements from the organizers regarding venue specifics in London as the autumn gala approaches. Share your thoughts on this year’s shortlisted candidates in the comments below.
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