Julian Quiñones, representing Al Qadsiah, has been named among the nominees for the prestigious Balón de Oro 2026 award. The 70th edition of the annual football prize will announce its winner at a gala event in London on October 26.
Quiñones joins a comprehensive list of 30 male candidates, which includes footballing luminaries such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland. The nominations were made official by the specialised French magazine France Football, as reported by MARCA.
Notable Inclusions and Absences
The 2026 shortlist features several high-profile players. Lionel Messi makes a return to the list, having last been a candidate in 2023 when he secured his eighth Balón de Oro. He led Argentina to the World Cup final, where they were defeated by Spain, according to MARCA.
Other prominent male nominees include Real Madrid’s Vinicius, Jude Bellingham, and Marc Cucurella; PSG’s Vitinha, Fabián, Ferran, Ousmane Dembélé (who was the Balón de Oro 2025 winner according to HolaNews), Nuno Mendes, Lamine Yamal, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia; Bayern Munich’s Upamecano, Olise, Kane, and Luis Díaz; Arsenal’s William Saliba, Declan Rice, and Gabriel Magalhaes; Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Chelsea’s Pau Cubarsí. Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United is also among the candidates.
However, the list also notes some significant absences. Pedri and Raphinha, both from Barcelona and winners of the league and Supercopa, are not featured. Pedri also won the World Cup with Spain. Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time winner, is absent from the nominees for the first time since 2022. Mohamed Salah and Désiré Doué are also not on the 2026 shortlist.
Gala Details and UK Significance
The 2026 Balón de Oro ceremony marks a historic first, as it will be held outside Paris. London has been chosen as the host city, honouring Sir Stanley Matthews, who was the inaugural winner of the award in 1956. This year’s event coincides with the 70th anniversary of the prestigious accolade.
The decision to host the event in London gives the awards a particular resonance for UK football fans and residents of Oxford and Oxfordshire. Several players from English clubs have received nominations, including William Saliba, Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Alessia Russo from Arsenal; Erling Haaland, Khadija Shaw, Vivianne Miedema, Yui Hasegawa, and Alex Greenwood from Manchester City; Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United; and Manaka Matsukubo, Melvine Malard, and Hannah Hampton from Chelsea.
Balón de Oro 2026 FAQ
- Q: When will the Balón de Oro 2026 winner be announced?
A: The winner of the Balón de Oro 2026 will be announced at a gala event on October 26. - Q: Where is the Balón de Oro 2026 ceremony taking place?
A: For the first time, the ceremony will be held outside Paris, with London hosting the event in honour of Sir Stanley Matthews. - Q: Who are some of the key nominees for the men’s Balón de Oro 2026?
A: Notable nominees include Julian Quiñones (Al Qadsiah), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), and William Saliba (Arsenal). - Q: Are there any significant absences from the Balón de Oro 2026 nominations?
A: Yes, prominent players such as Pedri, Raphinha, and Cristiano Ronaldo are not included in the 2026 shortlist.
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