According to a report by Vanguard published on Monday, October 19, 2026, France Football has explained the three key criteria that will determine the winners of the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards. The announcement comes ahead of the 70th edition of the prestigious ceremony, which is scheduled to take place in London on October 26, 2026.

As the competition for football’s highest individual honour intensifies, the organisers have clarified the principles journalists must follow when assessing nominees in both the men’s and women’s categories. The criteria have been arranged according to importance, with individual performances receiving the highest priority.

The first and most significant factor is individual performance. Voters are expected to evaluate each player’s consistency, technical quality, overall contribution and ability to influence important matches. Footballers who regularly deliver outstanding displays and make decisive contributions during crucial encounters could strengthen their chances of winning.

The assessment also considers a player’s performances throughout the evaluation period, rather than focusing exclusively on statistics or the number of trophies collected. This approach places personal excellence at the centre of the decision-making process.

The second criterion concerns collective achievements with clubs and national teams. Winning domestic league titles, continental competitions and major international tournaments can improve a nominee’s standing among voters. However, team success alone does not guarantee victory.

Under the established guidelines, journalists must consider how significantly each footballer contributed to their team’s accomplishments. A player with several trophies may still lose to a rival whose individual performances were more impressive during the assessment period.

The third factor is sportsmanship and professional conduct. Voters are expected to examine nominees’ behaviour on the pitch, including their treatment of teammates, opponents and match officials. Discipline, respect for football regulations and commitment to fair play also form part of the evaluation.

Although sportsmanship ranks below individual performances and collective success, it remains an important element of the selection process.

France Football has also outlined the composition of the voting panels. The men’s Ballon d’Or is decided by 100 journalists representing countries ranked among the top 100 in FIFA’s men’s national team rankings. For the women’s award, 50 journalists from countries occupying the top 50 positions in the corresponding women’s rankings are eligible to vote.

Each journalist must rank 10 nominated players according to the official voting rules. Their combined selections will determine the final standings and identify the winners.

With the ceremony approaching, the criteria highlight the importance of individual brilliance, while recognising team achievements and professional behaviour in the race for football’s most prestigious individual award.