How are the Ballon d’Or and Ballon d’Or Feminin 2026 winners decided? Explaining the process

The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist nominees announcement. The Ballon d’Or is surely the individual award footballers covet most, and now we know the shortlist of potential winners for the 2026 version. This year’s ceremony will be held in London on Monday, October 26, in honour of the late former England and Blackpool player Stanley Matthews, who was the inaugural Ballon d’Or winner 70 years ago. As one of the favourites on the men’s shortlist, England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane could become just the third Englishman to receive the award. For the…