French football legend Thierry Henry and British sports presenter Kate Scott have been announced as hosts of the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, which will take place on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium in England.
The announcement was made on Monday, October 19, by France Football and UEFA ahead of the 70th edition of the prestigious individual football awards.
Henry, a former Arsenal and Barcelona striker, finished as runner-up in the 2003 Ballon d’Or voting and received nine nominations during his playing career. He was also part of France’s squad that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and won the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona in 2009.
Scott, an internationally recognised sports journalist, regularly works alongside Henry on CBS Sports’ UEFA Champions League coverage in the United States. She previously hosted the Ballon d’Or ceremony in 2014 and 2015 and returned as a co-host in 2025.
Speaking about his appointment, Henry said he was honoured to host the ceremony in London, a city with which he shares a strong connection through his football career, particularly his time at Arsenal.
The 2026 ceremony will mark the first time the Ballon d’Or awards have been held in London. The organisers said the location was chosen to celebrate the award’s 70th anniversary and pay tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, the first recipient of the trophy in 1956.
Football fans will gather to see who emerges victorious in the men’s and women’s categories, alongside other individual honours. The winners are expected to be announced at the London event on October 26.
Below are the nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards.
- Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
- Pau Cubarsí (Spain, Barcelona)
- Marc Cucurella (Spain, Chelsea/Real Madrid)
- Ousmane Dembélé (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Luis Díaz (Colombia, Bayern München)
- Bruno Fernandes (Portugal, Manchester United)
- Gabriel (Brazil, Arsenal)
- Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Harry Kane (England, Bayern München)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
- Sadio Mané (Senegal, Al-Nassr)
- Marquinhos (Brazil, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Lautaro Martínez (Argentina, Inter)
- Kylian Mbappé (France, Real Madrid)
- Nuno Mendes (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami)
- João Neves (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Michael Olise (France, Bayern München)
- Willian Pacho (Ecuador, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Julián Quiñones (Mexico, Al-Qadsiah)
- Declan Rice (England, Arsenal)
- Rodri (Spain, Manchester City/Barcelona)
- Fabián Ruiz (Spain, Paris Saint-Germain)
- William Saliba (France, Arsenal)
- Ferran Torres (Spain, Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain)
- Dayot Upamecano (France, Bayern München)
- Vinícius Júnior (Brazil, Real Madrid)
- Vitinha (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
