As the 2026 FIFA World Cup heads into the quarter-final stage, the race for the Ballon d’Or has become more exciting than ever. The prestigious individual award, presented annually to the best footballer in the world, is often influenced by performances in major international tournaments, and this year’s World Cup is proving to be no exception. While club form throughout the season remains an important factor, players who shine on football’s biggest stage often gain a significant advantage when voting begins.
With several of football’s biggest stars still competing for the World Cup trophy, the Ballon d’Or race remains wide open. Here are four players who have strengthened their chances of winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or as the tournament enters the quarter-finals.
1. Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain/France)
Ousmane DembĂ©lĂ© has enjoyed one of the finest seasons of his career. After helping Paris Saint-Germain achieve major success during the club campaign, the French winger has carried that impressive form into the World Cup. His pace, creativity, and ability to change games have made him one of France’s most dangerous attacking players.
Throughout the tournament, DembĂ©lĂ© has consistently created scoring opportunities while also contributing with important goals and assists. His performances have been crucial in helping France secure a place in the quarter-finals. If France continue their march towards another World Cup title and DembĂ©lĂ© maintains his current level, he could emerge as the favourite to lift the Ballon d’Or later this year.
2. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain)
At just 18 years old, Lamine Yamal continues to show why he is regarded as one of football’s brightest young talents. The Barcelona winger has already established himself as one of Spain’s key players despite his age, displaying remarkable maturity on the international stage.
Yamal’s dribbling ability, confidence in one-on-one situations, and vision have caused problems for every defence he has faced during the tournament. He has played a major role in Spain’s journey to the quarter-finals and continues to impress with every performance. Should Spain go on to win the World Cup, Yamal’s outstanding displays could make him one of the youngest Ballon d’Or winners in football history.
3. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid/France)
Kylian MbappĂ© remains one of the biggest names in world football and once again has delivered when his country needed him most. The French captain has continued his excellent goalscoring form at the World Cup and remains among the tournament’s leading scorers.
MbappĂ©’s combination of speed, finishing ability, and leadership has made him one of the standout performers in the competition. His experience in major tournaments gives France an extra advantage as they continue their pursuit of another World Cup title. If he finishes as one of the tournament’s top scorers while guiding France to glory, MbappĂ© will undoubtedly be one of the strongest contenders for the Ballon d’Or.
4. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)
England captain Harry Kane has once again demonstrated why he is considered one of the world’s most reliable strikers. After another productive club season with Bayern Munich, Kane has continued to score important goals for his national team during the World Cup.
His leadership, composure in front of goal, and ability to deliver in crucial moments have helped England reach the quarter-finals. Kane is also among the leading contenders for the tournament’s Golden Boot award. If England end their long wait for World Cup success, Kane’s contributions could place him firmly in the Ballon d’Or conversation.
The Race Is Still Wide Open
Although these four players currently appear to be leading the race, the Ballon d’Or battle is far from settled. The remaining knockout matches will likely have a significant impact on the final voting, with standout performances in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final capable of changing the picture completely.
Other stars, including Lionel Messi, Raphinha, Pedri, and Achraf Hakimi, also remain in contention depending on how their teams perform during the closing stages of the tournament. Football history has shown that memorable moments on the biggest stage often influence Ballon d’Or voting, making every remaining World Cup match even more important.
As the tournament continues, all eyes will be on the world’s best players as they compete not only for the FIFA World Cup trophy but also for individual football’s greatest honour. With several world-class talents still in the race, the battle for the 2026 Ballon d’Or promises to remain one of the biggest stories in football until the final whistle of the World Cup.
