Moving the Goalposts | Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 power rankings: will a new winner be crowned?
The 2026 Women's Ballon d'Or race is the most open in years with these seven leading contenders:
– Melchie Dumornay (OL Lyonnes): French player of the year, 23, scored five Champions League goals despite Barcelona's 4-0 final win. – Ewa Pajor (Barcelona): Finally won Champions League after five defeats; scored two in the final and matched 11 European goals record. – Khadija Shaw (Manchester City): Won three consecutive WSL golden boots; scored 21 last season and claimed PFA and FWA player of the year. – Alexia Putellas (London City Lionesses): Two-time Ballon d'Or winner scored seven Champions League goals before moving from Barcelona in July. – Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City): Midfielder featured in PFA team of year and helped Japan win third AFC Women's Asian Cup. – Alessia Russo (Arsenal): 27-year-old impressed despite poor season, earning PFA team of year selection. – Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current): NWSL top scorer and MVP for second straight year; helped Malawi qualify for Women's Africa Cup of Nations for first time.
- The 2026 Women's Ballon d'Or race is the most open in years across seven elite contenders.
- Ewa Pajor finally won Champions League with Barcelona after five final defeats.
- Khadija Shaw won consecutive WSL golden boots and dual player of the year awards.
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The Ballon d'Or is football's most prestigious individual award, given annually to the world's best player as voted by journalists and other figures. The women's version, established in 2018, holds the same prestige and represents the highest individual honour in women's football.
The 2026 race features seven leading contenders spread across different continents and leagues who have all claimed major honours in the past year. Previous winner Alexia Putellas, Manchester City's Khadija Shaw and Barcelona's Ewa Pajor are among the leading names, alongside strong performers from Lyon, Arsenal and American football. This geographical spread reflects how global women's football has become and creates genuine uncertainty about who will ultimately be crowned the winner.