Ballon d'Or 2026 organisers reveal selection criteria ahead of October gala

The organisers of the Ballon d'Or have published the three criteria voters will use to select this year's winner ahead of the October 26 gala. Jurors will assess players based on: individual and decisive performance on the pitch, collective achievements and trophies won with club and country, and class/fair play demonstrated both on and off the field.

Voting authority rests with an international jury comprising one specialised journalist from each of the top 100 nations in the current FIFA Men's World Ranking and the top 50 in the Women's World Ranking. These electors will submit their ranked selections, with points tallied to determine both the men's and women's Ballon d'Or laureates.

This framework reflects recent outcomes where last year's men's winner Ousmane Dembélé and three-time consecutive women's winner Aitana Bonmatí were recognised under similar evaluation principles. For Nigerian followers, understanding these metrics provides clarity when evaluating domestic and overseas-based players' continental and global credentials through an objective lens.

As the October ceremony approaches, which Super Eagles stars or Nigeria-based professionals do you believe most strongly combine match-winning contributions, team success, and exemplary conduct when benchmarked against the world's elite?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/27/2026-ballon-dor-organisers-list-criteria-to-decide-winner/