The organizers of the Ballon d’Or award have clarified that footballers from any part of the world are eligible to win the prize, addressing a longstanding debate about the necessity of playing for European clubs. This statement comes as the competition for the 2026 Ballon d’Or intensifies.

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has said he would vote for himself to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or, the Daily Post reports. Speaking to French newspaper L'Equipe, Mbappe, who is regarded as one of the favourites for the prestigious individual award, responded to a question about his vote by saying he would back himself. The France captain's comments come as speculation builds ahead of the 2026 edition of the prize, which recognises the world's best footballer.

Ballon d'Or organisers have addressed the ongoing discussion regarding the eligibility of players from outside Europe for the award. They stated that although historically, players from European clubs have dominated the prize, it remains accessible to footballers from any league globally. This clarification aims to emphasize the inclusivity of the award.

The Premier League on Thursday announced the nominees for its Player of the Month and Manager of the Month awards for August 2026, according to IOL. The monthly awards recognise standout individual performances and coaching achievements across England's top-flight football competition. The shortlists feature players and managers who distinguished themselves during the opening month of the 2026-27 season. Winners are typically decided through a combination of public voting and input from a panel of football experts, with the announcement expected in the coming days.

France Football has clarified that it is not necessary for a player to be affiliated with a European club in order to win the Ballon d’Or, challenging a widely accepted notion in the football community. This statement aims to provide a broader understanding of the award's eligibility criteria.

France captain Kylian Mbappe has welcomed discussion about winning the Ballon d'Or following a record-breaking World Cup campaign this summer. According to Channels TV, he scored 10 goals at the tournament to claim the Golden Boot, although France finished fourth. His tally took his career World Cup total to 22 goals, making him the competition's all-time leading scorer. The striker's exploits have intensified debate over his candidacy for football's most prestigious individual award.