2026 Ballon d’Or: Three Articles Naming Kane, Mbappé and Yamal Published by Mistake Before Ceremony

Three articles naming different winners of the 2026 Ballon d’Or were accidentally published on the trophy’s official website on Monday, October 26, and removed shortly afterward. They declared Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal the winners and were reportedly drafts prepared for immediate publication once the result was announced. The articles appeared shortly after 6:30 p.m., ahead of the ceremony at London’s Palladium. The mishap contrasts with the secrecy around the 2025 winner and recalls Real Madrid’s withdrawal from the 2024 ceremony, when Rodri won ahead of Vinícius Júnior.