Does the 2026 World Cup count?
Yes. The judging period ends on the World Cup final date, 19 July 2026, and the regulations expressly include international competition. A useful contender comparison therefore needs both club and national-team context. It should not add September 2026 goals simply because the trophy is presented later in the year.
What do the voters judge?
The ordered criteria are individual performance, then team results and trophies, then sporting conduct. Our reading is that a convincing statistical case should explain how a player influenced matches, not simply attach a medal count to a scoring total. There is no published formula that converts goals and assists into a guaranteed winning score.
How does the points system work?
Each juror orders ten players. The points in the table reward the higher choices; the highest combined score wins. If totals are tied, first-place selections separate the players, then second places and so on. A prediction article cannot reproduce the outcome without the ballots, so treat precise winning probabilities as model estimates rather than official information.
Can fans vote for the men’s Ballon d’Or?
The deciding jury is made up of journalists under the published rules. A fan vote on a website or social platform does not become a Ballon d’Or ballot. We link the official nominees and regulations so readers can distinguish the award process from discussion around it.