Only five people said to know 2026 Ballon d’Or winner before London ceremony

Only about five people know who has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, according to former prize president Pascal Ferre, with the result being kept secret until Monday’s ceremony in London.

Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane are among the leading contenders, while Ousmane Dembele is seeking to retain the award.

The identity of the winner has been protected more closely since 2024, when organisers stopped telling players the results of the vote in advance. The change was introduced to ensure that the winner’s name remains confidential until the official announcement.

French broadcaster RMC reported that only a very small number of people currently know the outcome.

“How do we keep the winner’s identity hidden?” Ferre said. “I think a well-kept secret is one that is shared with as few people as possible. Then there are small tricks and simple methods.”

He added: “My method was to allow fake rankings to circulate within the France Football editorial team, to feed social media, and that amused me. At the moment, there should not be more than five people who know the winner’s name.”

The secrecy comes amid intense speculation over the final result. Mbappe’s recent comments about his ambition to win the Ballon d’Or have led to questions over whether his public campaign could influence voters.

Ferre, however, played down the likely impact of such statements. He said the decision rested with the journalists taking part in the vote rather than with supporters.

Contenders and false leaks

RMC analyst Jerome Rothen said he did not believe Mbappe deserved the award, with the absence of collective honours counting against the Real Madrid player despite his goalscoring figures.

Kane has also attracted attention after scoring 73 goals during the past season, including 61 for Bayern Munich.

Yamal has been recognised for his performances with Barcelona, scoring 16 goals in La Liga during the 2025-2026 season. The report also highlighted his contribution to Spain’s World Cup triumph.

Speculation has intensified on X in recent days, where fake leaks claiming to show the contenders’ final order have circulated. Some included fabricated screenshots of conversations, messages and lists placing Mbappe or Kane at the top.

A source familiar with the process described those leaks as impossible, saying they were part of the routine speculation that precedes the announcement of the winner.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is due to take place in London on Monday evening.