Ballon d’Or 2026: Club of the Year Nominees Unveiled

When the Ballon d’Or organisers finally announced the 2026 Club of the Year nominees, football fans across the globe started talking – and for good reason. The shortlist reads like a hall of fame, featuring clubs that have hoisted multiple trophies and turned heads with their performances in the 2025‑26 season.

In the men’s category, three clubs have taken the spotlight. Paris Saint‑Germain, fresh off a dream run, grabbed the UEFA Champions League, the Intercontinental Cup, the European Super Cup, Ligue 1 and the French Super Cup. It’s a haul that feels almost cinematic, and it’s why PSG sits at the top of the nomination list.

Following close behind are England’s Arsenal, who finally reclaimed the Premier League crown after a hard‑fought campaign, and Germany’s Bayern Munich, who swept the domestic scene by winning the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the German Super Cup. Both clubs showed consistency and flair, earning them rightful places among the five nominees.

The South American representation comes from Brazil’s Flamengo, a side that collected the Copa Libertadores, the Brazilian Championship and the Rio de Janeiro State Championship – a triple that reminds everyone why they’re a force in the continent. Rounding out the men’s shortlist is Norway’s Bodo/Glimt, who lifted the Norwegian Cup and proved that smaller leagues can still produce big moments.

Switching over to the women’s side, FC Barcelona is the clear front‑runner. The Spanish giants completed a clean sweep of the Women's Champions League, the Liga F, the Spanish Cup and the Spanish Super Cup. Their dominance has been the talk of the women’s game all season.

But they’re not alone. France’s Olympique Lyonnais (OL Lyonnes) kept their reputation for domestic supremacy alive with a treble – the French Championship, the French Cup and the French League Cup. England’s Manchester City earned a spot by clinching both the Women’s Super League and the FA Cup, showcasing depth and resilience.

Germany’s Bayern Munich also appears in the women’s shortlist after winning the Frauen‑Bundesliga, the German Cup and the German Super Cup, mirroring the men’s success of the same club. Finally, Mexico’s Club América brings a taste of the Americas, having secured the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the Mexican Closing Championship.

All in all, the 2026 Ballon d’Or Club of the Year nominations celebrate a season of extraordinary football – from the glittering lights of Paris to the passionate streets of Barcelona, and beyond. Fans will now wait with bated breath to see which club ultimately lifts the coveted trophy.