Harry Kane remains the odds-on favourite to become the first Englishman in a quarter-of-a-century to capture the prestigious men's Ballon d'Or award.
The Bayern Munich star has enjoyed a mesmerising 12 months, netting 73 goals in all for both club and country across what has been by far the most prolific period of his playing career.
Kane is hoping to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Michael Owen, Kevin Keegan, Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Stanley Matthews in securing what is largely perceived the most illustrious individual honour in the sport.
However, with an array of global footballing powerhouses, including Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal also in the running, it appears a wide-open race to be crowned the top dog at the London Palladium this evening.
Ballon d'Or 2026 odds
Full Ballon d'Or 2026 Betting Market on site
Despite plenty of backing for a number of other contenders, Kane remains the narrow favourite to be crowned the men's 2026 Ballon d'Or winner.
The 33-year-old was the most prolific frontman on the planet in 2025/26, scoring 61 times for German heavyweights Bayern -- 14 of which came in the UEFA Champions League -- whilst also scoring 12 times for England; six of those being at the World Cup.
"Harry Kane is the odds-on favourite leading into the ceremony tonight, but make no mistake about it, this is very much a three runner market," bet365's Steve Freeth said.
"We are seeing money flooding in for both Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal as well as Kane, of course.
"Such is the interest in this, it's without doubt the busiest Ballon d'Or market I have ever known!"
While Mbappe has surprisingly never been crowned Ballon d'Or winner, he is firmly in the mix this time around, although will have to buck a long-standing trend if he is to walk away from London with the trophy.
No player since Cristiano Ronaldo back in 2013 has won the award having failed to win a major trophy, although the revered Frenchman can attest to landing the top goalscorer award in both the La Liga and the UEFA Champions League whilst also going on to net a tournament-high 10 goals at the World Cup.
Another player in the running is Spanish sensation Yamal, although his price has drifted somewhat over the past couple of weeks after establishing himself as the previous betting favourite.
A La Liga winner with Barcelona, the youngster then went on to play a starring role for Spain as they reigned supreme on the grandest stage of them all this summer, with boss Luis de la Fuente describing the teenager-star as a 'genius' despite notching just a solitary goal at the World Cup.
The attacker did end 2025/26 having bagged 24 goals in 45 appearances for Barca, whilst he has enjoyed an even more prolific start to the current campaign, scoring eight times and registering six assists in his 10 La Liga outings.
Last year's Ballon d'Or runner-up also registered six goal contributions in three outings on the continental stage too, with the player himself championing his own claims for the award when speaking to the media earlier this month.
"I think I deserve it this year because of what I've won," Yamal, who captured the La Liga title and Supercopa de Espana last season, in addition to the World Cup, told Marca.
"For me, Mbappe and I are the best in the world. It is clear to me. Everyone who watches the matches knows it."
Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.
