Ballon d'Or organisers reveal bottom ten nominees ahead of London ceremony

The organisers of the 2026 Ballon d'Or have officially disclosed the players who finished in the bottom ten positions of the voting process. This announcement marks a significant step in the countdown to the final award ceremony, which is scheduled to take place in London. The reveal confirms that a total of 30 players were selected as the final nominees for this year's prestigious individual honour. By identifying the lowest-ranked candidates, the organisers have effectively narrowed the field, leaving only the top twenty players in contention for the final top ten list that will be announced soon.

The bottom ten rankings were released on October 26, 2026, following the start of the official countdown to the top ten on the previous Monday. The list includes several high-profile names from major European clubs and international leagues. At the very bottom of the ranking, sharing 29th place, are Sadio Mane, who plays for Al Nassr, and William Saliba, a defender for Arsenal. Their joint position indicates they received an equal number of votes from the panel of voters.

Above them in the bottom ten, Julián Quiñones of Al-Qadsiah secured the 28th position. Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was ranked 27th, while Dayot Upamecano finished in 26th place. The list continues with Marquinhos from Paris Saint-Germain in 25th position, followed by Luis Diaz of Bayern Munich in 24th. Nuno Mendes, also of Paris Saint-Germain, is ranked 23rd. The final three spots in the bottom ten are occupied by Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan in 22nd place, Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal in 21st, and William Pacho of Paris Saint-Germain in 20th place. These rankings provide a clear snapshot of the voting distribution among the nominees who did not make the immediate cut for the final ten.

Background

The Ballon d'Or is one of the most recognised individual awards in world football, celebrating the best player of the previous season. The selection process typically involves a panel of journalists voting on a list of nominees. For the 2026 edition, the organisers initially identified a pool of candidates before narrowing it down to the final 30 nominees. The recent announcement of the bottom ten is part of a structured reveal process designed to build anticipation for the final ceremony. The involvement of players from diverse leagues, including the English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and the Saudi Pro League, reflects the global nature of the award. The presence of multiple players from Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal in the bottom ten highlights the depth of talent in these clubs, even among those who did not rank in the top twenty. The ceremony in London is expected to draw significant attention, with the top ten list serving as the final hurdle before the winner is crowned.

Why it matters

The revelation of the bottom ten nominees has immediate implications for the remaining twenty players, who are now confirmed to be in the top tier of the voting. For fans and analysts, this data offers insight into the relative performance and recognition of these players during the 2025-2026 season. The fact that established stars like Bruno Fernandes and Sadio Mane are in the bottom ten suggests a highly competitive field where only the most dominant performers have secured higher rankings. The upcoming announcement of the top ten will be a critical moment, as it will determine the final contenders for the award. The London ceremony is set to be a major event in the football calendar, with the winner receiving the golden ball trophy. The process ensures that the award is based on a broad consensus among international media, making the final list a significant indicator of the season's standout performers.

What happens next

The next major step in the process is the announcement of the top ten players, which will conclude the voting phase. This reveal is expected to occur prior to the ceremony in London, providing the final list of candidates for the award. The specific date for the top ten announcement has not been detailed in the available information, but it follows the standard timeline of the Ballon d'Or process. The ceremony itself will see the presentation of the award to the winner, along with other related honours. The focus will shift entirely to the top ten, with the bottom ten players' rankings serving as a historical record of the voting outcome for the 2026 edition.