Ballon d’Or 2026 odds: Harry Kane favourite heading into World Cup 2026 | OneFootball

The battle for the 2026 Ballon d’Or is entering a decisive period following the conclusion of the Champions League and major European league seasons, with the 2026 World Cup now taking centre stage this summer.

Since 2022, the Ballon d’Or has been based on seasonal performance rather than the calendar year, placing even greater emphasis on the run-in, with the 2026 award show set for 26th October in London.

Last year we witnessed Ousmane Dembele join icons like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Zinedine Zidane in lifting the prestigious prize – but who currently finds themselves in contention to win the 2026 gong?

Check out the latest Ballon d’Or odds below:

Who are the favourites for the 2026 Ballon d’Or?

Harry Kane

Harry Kane remains the favourite (9/4 with bet365) to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or as he looks to become the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001 (back when only European players won the award).

Kane, who has formed an incredible triumvirate with Michael Olise and Luis Diaz at Bayern Munich, scored 61 goals in 51 games in 2025-26, en route to winning a third straight Bundesliga Golden Boot (36 goals), the Bundesliga title, and the DFB-Pokal – scoring a hat-trick in the final win against Stuttgart.

Kane’s dreams of Champions League glory were ended by PSG in the semi-finals, but he does have the opportunity to lead a well-fancied England to glory at the World Cup this summer, so watch this space.

Ousmane Dembele

2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele was out at 20/1 in late April to become the first back-to-back winner since Lionel Messi in 2021.

However, the Frenchman is now the 7/2 second favourite following a series of superb displays in the Champions League, where he scored in the final to help PSG become only the second club in the Champions League era to successfully defend the trophy.

After a difficult start to the season which was plagued by injury, the Ballon d’Or holder and recent winner of the Ligue 1 Player of the Season award has peaked at just the right time, as he looks to play a starring role for France at the World Cup, which could further fuel his chances.

Declan Rice

Declan Rice has surged into the Ballon d’Or conversation, shortening dramatically from a 40/1 outsider in November to a 5/1 major contender in June.

The midfielder was a central cog in helping Arsenal win a first Premier League title in 22 years, while he also reached two finals in the Carabao Cup and Champions League.

Add in the prospect of a major international impact with England this summer, and his Ballon d’Or case only strengthens.

Michael Olise

Michael Olise is simply a joy to watch, elevating his game to new heights since his summer switch from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich, where he’s accumulated a whopping 53 goal involvements in 52 games across three different competitions.

The Frenchman’s panache and creativity has been off the charts, with his return of 31 assists saw him finish just one shy of Lionel Messi’s single-season record in Europe’s top five leagues record of 32.

Olise helped Bayern win a double, while he also harbours ambitions of World Cup success with France this summer. Priced at 8/1, he’s now a serious contender in the Ballon d’Or race.

Who else is in the mix?

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia represents an intriguing option at 8/1, having been a 33/1 outsider at the end pf April. The PSG winger thrived for the club during the knockout stages of the Champions League, recording 10 goal contributions, which helped fire the club to back-to-back triumphs. He was named the competition’s Player of the Season, but unfortunately won’t be playing in the World Cup.

Lamine Yamal (9/1) is widely tipped as a future multiple Ballon d’Or winner and 2026 could be the year he scoops his maiden accolade. This season alone, he’s contributed 42 goals and assists in 45 games.

While the Champions League quarter-final disappointment will sting, Yamal’s Barcelona added the league title to their Supercopa de Espana success. Yamal will now turn his focus to the international stage, as he aims to propel Spain to World Cup glory, just as he did at Euro 2024 as a 16-year-old.

Ferreira Vitinha‘s odds have been sliced from 33/1 to 10/1 (bet365) over the last few weeks following his starring role for PSG in 2025-26, with the passing maestro helping the club win the UEFA Super Cup, the Intercontinental Cup, Trophée des Champions, Ligue 1, and the Champions League. He now heads to the World Cup looking to make history with Portugal.

Kylian Mbappe’s odds have lengthened a touch to 16/1 after Real Madrid went the season empty handed. However, Mbappe did win the Champions League and La Liga Golden Boot. The Frenchman’s best chance could well come at this summer’s World Cup where he’ll be aiming to lift the famous golden trophy for the second time in eight years.