Ballon d’Or 2026 odds: Kane still favourite as Dembele makes major move | OneFootball

The battle for the 2026 Ballon d’Or is entering a decisive period with the Champions League final approaching later in May, and then the 2026 World Cup takes 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 September 21st.

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 (5/2 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, has 48 goals in 55 games this season, 13 of which came in the Champions League, while he’s cruising towards a third straight Bundesliga Golden Boot with 33 goals and counting.

Kane has already won another Bundesliga title, and can add the DFB-Pokal later in May, but his dreams of Champions League glory were ended by PSG in the semi-finals, which could dent his Ballon d’Or hopes a little. However, 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 a few weeks ago to become the first back-to-back winner since Lionel Messi in 2021.

However, he’s been a big mover into the 9/2 second favourite following a series of superb displays in the Champions League, where he netted a brilliant brace away to Liverpool at Anfield and then scored three goals in PSG’s 6-5 aggregate semi-final win over Bayern Munich.

After a difficult start to the season which was plagued by injury, the Ballon d’Or holder has started to peak as he chases more individual and team honours. He’s also set to play a starring role for France at the World Cup, which could further fuel his chances.

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 51 goal involvements in 49 games across three different competitions.

The Frenchman’s panache and creativity has been off the charts, with 30 assists putting him just three shy of the single-season record in Europe’s top five leagues, which is currently shared by Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Xavi and Lionel Messi (32). On current form, he could smash this.

Olise is on course to help Bayern win a double, while he also harbours ambitions of World Cup success with France this summer. Priced at 5/1, he’s now a serious contender in the Ballon d’Or race.

Declan Rice

Declan Rice has surged into the Ballon d’Or conversation, shortening dramatically from a 40/1 outsider in November to 5/1 in May with Bet365.

The midfielder has been a central cog in Arsenal’s campaign. While the club’s Quadruple, and then treble, dreams were crushed following domestic cup defeats, they do remain favourites for the Premier League title and have reached the Champions League final.

If Rice, who is one of the favourites to win the Premier League Player of the Year, can drive Arsenal to a first league crown since 2003-04, and potentially help deliver a first-ever Champions League triumph, he’ll be firmly in contention. Add in the prospect of a major international impact with England this summer, and his Ballon d’Or case only strengthens.

Who else is in the mix?

Lamine Yamal (8/1) 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 are honing in on the league title to add to their Supercopa de Espana success. Yamal will then 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.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia represents an intriguing option at 10/1, having been a 33/1 outsider at the end pf April. The PSG winger has thrived for the club during the knockout stages of the Champions League, recording 10 goal contributions since the start of the last-16, which have helped fire the holders to another final.

Kylian Mbappe’s odds have lengthened to 14/1 after Real Madrid’s Champions League elimination, meaning he’s now highly likely to go without club silverware this summer. He could, however, still win the Champions League Golden Boot (if no one catches his 15-goal tally) and he also leads the race for the 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.