Ballon d'Or 2026: Sadio Mané and Achraf Hakimi, the 2 Africans among the 30 nominees

Sadio Mané and Achraf Hakimi are among the 30 players nominated for the Ballon d'Or 2026, with the list revealed on September 8. Mané, Senegalese forward for Al-Nassr, was named the best player of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and scored 14 goals in the Saudi Pro League. Achraf Hakimi, Moroccan defender for PSG, won the Champions League and the French championship this season. The Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place on October 26 in London.