Only two African players were nominated among the top 30 for the 2026 Women's Ballon d'Or, the Daily Post reported on Tuesday: Zambia's Barbra Banda and Malawi's Temwa Chawinga. According to the report, the pair earned their places following standout performances at the 2026 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, which was won by Cameroon, with Chawinga scoring five goals during the tournament.

Only two African players have been included among the 30 nominees for the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or, according to the Daily Post. Morocco's Achraf Hakimi and Senegal's Sadio Mane made the list announced on Tuesday, reportedly earning their places through strong performances at the last Africa Cup of Nations and impressive form for their respective clubs. The nominations highlight their standout campaigns over the past season, though African representation on the prestigious shortlist remains limited compared to previous years.

France Football has announced the nominees for the 2026 Coach of the Year awards, part of the Ballon d'Or ceremony, with five managers shortlisted in both the men's and women's categories. Arsenal's Mikel Arteta and Paris Saint-Germain's Luis Enrique are among the leading men's nominees. According to Leadership, the prizes, named in honour of legendary Dutch coach Johan Cruyff, recognise coaches whose tactical excellence and achievements delivered outstanding success during the previous season.

Three African goalkeepers have been nominated for the 2026 Yashin Trophy, the Ballon d'Or award recognising the world's best goalkeeper. According to Punch, the nominees are Yassine Bounou, Édouard Mendy, and Vozinha, whose performances over the past season earned them places on the shortlist. The nominations highlight the growing prominence of African goalkeepers in world football. The winner will be announced at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in 2026.

Punch reports that the shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees has been announced, opening the award’s 70th year honouring achievements in world football during the 2025/26 season. According to the report, the nominees were revealed on Tuesday through the award body’s X handle, with categories including Men’s and Women’s Striker awards among those listed.

African footballers have received nominations across several categories for the 2026 Ballon d'Or awards, according to Vanguard Sports. Three goalkeepers from the continent are among the contenders for the Men's Goalkeeper of the Year prize. The publication released the full list of African nominees for the prestigious football awards, which recognise the sport's top performers across multiple categories.