Voting for the Ballon D’or Closes and the Countdown Begins

The voting to crown the best player in the world has closed.

Voting has closed

The hundred journalists from around the world who make up the jury for the men's Ballon d'Or had until midnight (European time) this Monday as the deadline to cast their votes, after weeks of intense campaigning by the main favorites.

The successor to the French Ousmane Dembélé will be known at a ceremony that will take place for the first time in London on October 26, following an agreement reached by the magazine France Football, organizer of the trophy, and UEFA, with which it has a partnership agreement.

Women's Ballon d'Or and other awards

The name of the women's Ballon d'Or will also be revealed that day, chosen by a jury of 50 journalists, along with the rest of the trophies: best young players - Kopa trophy, goalkeepers - Yashin, and coaches - Johan Cruyff, all based on the votes of former winners.

How is the winner chosen?

The editorial team of France Football selected a list of 30 candidates for the Ballon d'Or from which the jury of 100 journalists, from the top 100 countries in the FIFA ranking, 50 in the case of the women's category, will choose.

Each jury member makes a list of 10 players in order of preference, to whom the following points are assigned: 15 to the first, 12 to the second, and 10 to the third, and subsequently 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.

The criteria for awarding points should be personal performance during the past season, their decisive and impressive character, collective titles and achievements, and, thirdly, fair play.

The reference period spans from August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026, including the international competitions held. In the case of the women's Ballon d'Or, the Africa Cup of Nations, which ended on August 16, will count for the next edition. EFE