Ballon d’Or 2026: Barcelona nominated for women’s award as Real Madrid miss out

France Football has announced the nominees for the men’s and women’s Club of the Year awards at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, with Real Madrid absent from both lists and FC Barcelona included only in the women’s category.

The nominations for the men’s award feature Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodø/Glimt, Flamengo and Paris Saint-Germain.

It marks a notable omission for both Real Madrid and Barcelona, two of the most prominent clubs in European football, from the men’s shortlist. Neither club was included among the five teams selected by the French magazine.

The full list of men’s nominees is:

– Arsenal – Bayern Munich – Bodø/Glimt – Flamengo – Paris Saint-Germain

Bayern Munich are also among the nominees for the women’s Club of the Year award, while Real Madrid are again missing from the list.

The five women’s nominees are:

– FC Barcelona – Bayern Munich – Club America – Manchester City – OL Lyonnes

FC Barcelona’s inclusion means the club will compete for the women’s award, despite not being nominated in the men’s category. Manchester City and OL Lyonnes also feature on the list, alongside Club America and Bayern Munich.

The announcements form part of the build-up to this year’s Ballon d’Or awards, with the nominations expected to generate significant interest across the men’s and women’s game.

The previous season produced a number of major developments, including achievements in domestic competitions across Europe’s leading leagues and in the UEFA Champions League. The 2026 FIFA World Cup has also added to the significance of this year’s Ballon d’Or race, making it one of the most competitive and eagerly anticipated contests of recent years.

France Football’s selection covers the clubs regarded as having made the strongest impact across the period under consideration. Bayern Munich are the only team to appear on both the men’s and women’s Club of the Year lists.

The nominations were published through the Ballon d’Or’s official live coverage, with the men’s announcement listing Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodø/Glimt, Flamengo and Paris Saint-Germain, and the women’s announcement naming FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Club America, Manchester City and OL Lyonnes.

The Ballon d’Or awards will continue to recognise individual and team achievements across football, with the Club of the Year categories providing a separate focus on the collective performances of leading sides.

The announcements are likely to fuel further discussion around the major contenders in this year’s awards, particularly given the absence of Real Madrid from both categories and Barcelona’s contrasting presence in the women’s competition.

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