Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 race opens wide

A race without a clear favourite

The Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 picture is shaping up as one of the most unpredictable in years. With elite performers across Europe, North America and international tournaments, the debate is no longer about who belongs in the conversation, but who can separate themselves at the top.

From title-winning attackers to midfield architects and defensive anchors, this year’s list reflects a game that is deeper and more competitive than ever. The spread of talent is striking, and the margins between the top contenders are razor-thin.

Dumornay and Pajor set the pace

At the top of the rankings, Melchie Dumornay and Ewa Pajor make a strong case for recognition. Dumornay’s influence for OL Lyonnes went well beyond goals, as the 23-year-old midfielder drove their domestic treble and proved decisive in Europe despite injury interruptions.

Her return against Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final second leg was a statement performance. A player-of-the-match display in a 3-1 win underlined why she is being viewed as one of the game’s most complete young stars.

Pajor, meanwhile, finally turned near-misses into glory. Her two-goal burst in Barcelona’s Champions League final demolition of Lyonnes gave her season a defining moment, while her 11 European goals matched one of the best recent tallies in the competition.

Big-game output matters

In awards races of this calibre, trophies matter, but signature moments often tip the scale. Pajor delivered one in the final. Dumornay delivered hers in the semi-finals, and both are now positioned as genuine contenders for the sport’s biggest individual honour.

Shaw, Putellas and the proven winners

Khadija Shaw remains one of the most feared strikers in world football. The Manchester City forward scored 21 goals in 22 league games as City won the Women’s Super League and FA Cup double, while also collecting major individual awards for her consistency and all-round impact.

Her game is not just about finishing. Shaw’s hold-up play, work rate and link-up quality continue to set her apart, and her importance to City was reinforced by her new contract. A forward who can dominate in multiple phases of play always carries weight in award discussions.

Alexia Putellas also stayed firmly in the frame. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner delivered another elite campaign for Barcelona before her summer move to London City Lionesses, with seven Champions League goals, nine league goals and seven assists helping Barca complete a quadruple.

“The women’s game is producing more match-winners in more positions than ever before,” one analyst said. “That makes this race harder to call, but better to watch.”

Midfield control and team-first excellence

Not every contender dominates with goals, and that is part of what makes this ranking so compelling. Yui Hasegawa, Patri Guijarro and Selma Bacha all earned their places by controlling games, raising standards and helping elite teams function at the highest level.

Hasegawa’s influence in Manchester City’s title-winning side was central to their rhythm and balance, while also playing a major role in Japan’s success at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Guijarro remained the platform on which Barcelona’s dominant machine operated, especially in the Champions League final.

Bacha, meanwhile, continued to shine as one of Europe’s most dynamic attacking full-backs. Her selection in the Champions League team of the season reflects her growing status as a major force for OL Lyonnes.

Numbers that shaped the rankings

Global range adds weight to the contest

The list also highlights how global the women’s game has become. Temwa Chawinga’s second straight NWSL scoring crown, plus her role in taking Malawi to major international qualification, gives her a compelling storyline. Barbra Banda’s goals for Orlando Pride and Zambia make her another powerful figure in the top 10.

Elsewhere, Rose Lavelle’s playoff heroics for Gotham FC, Lorena’s shutout dominance for Kansas City Current and Manaka Matsukubo’s rapid rise underline how different routes can lead into the Ballon d’Or discussion. This is no longer a race defined by one league or one continent.

“The depth of the field is the story,” a senior observer of the women’s game said. “You can make a case for attackers, midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers. That tells you the standard has risen again.”

Who can break through next?

If the early rankings tell us anything, it is that this Ballon d’Or race could swing quickly. A standout international tournament, a decisive Champions League run or a title-winning finish could reshape the picture all over again before voting closes.

For now, Dumornay’s all-round brilliance, Pajor’s final-day punch and Shaw’s relentless scoring form give them the clearest claim. But Putellas, Hasegawa and Chawinga all have the kind of reputations and production that keep the race alive.

That is what makes this edition so compelling. There may be no obvious favourite, but there is no shortage of players capable of claiming the crown. If the season finishes with a new winner, few will be surprised.