Ballon d’Or 2026: no Nigerians among the finalists
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
No Nigerian player or woman is among the finalists for the 2026 Ballon d’Or or in the ceremony’s other categories, which are being held at the London Palladium. Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, both absent from the lists, had scored seven of Nigeria’s 14 goals at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, reports Punch.
No Nigerian is among the finalists in the men’s, women’s or other categories of the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with the winner to be announced in London on Monday evening. The 70th edition of the awards ceremony begins at 8pm in London, or 9pm in Nigeria, according to Punch.
Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman are the most notable Nigerian absentees. The two forwards scored seven of Nigeria’s 14 goals at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations; Osimhen ended the 2025–2026 season with 30 goal contributions, while Lookman recorded 12 goals and six assists. The assessment period ran from 3 August 2025 to 19 July 2026, the date of the World Cup final, for which Nigeria did not qualify.
Nigeria was represented in the women’s categories by Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu and national team goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. Both were nominated after Nigeria won the continental title, but finished fourth in their categories. Africa has only one male finalist, Senegalese Al-Nassr player Sadio Mané.
Nigeria’s absence comes after Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal were named among the favourites for the 2026 Ballon d’Or on 22 October. The ceremony is being held outside Paris for the first time, at the London Palladium.
