France Football has officially released the three criteria voting journalists must follow when casting their ballots for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, set to be awarded in London on October 26, 2026.

Ballon d’Or 2026: The Three Official Criteria

According to the official Ballon d’Or regulations, voters must weigh three factors, ranked in strict order of importance:

Individual Performance — How decisive and impactful the player’s contributions were, including key moments in crucial matches.
Team Success — The trophies won and how central the player was to their team’s title-winning campaigns.
Fair Play — The player’s conduct, respect, and sporting class on the pitch.

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How Voting Works

The award is decided by an international jury of 100 journalists, one per top-ranked FIFA nation, each selecting 10 players from a 30-man shortlist. Points are awarded on a sliding scale — 15 for first place down to 1 for tenth — with the highest total crowning the winner.

Why the Order Matters

Notably, individual performance carries the most weight, meaning a standout player on a struggling team can still rank highly, while collective silverware alone won’t guarantee votes. This hierarchy has fueled debate all season, especially with the 2026 World Cup falling within the reference period.

For more Ballon d’Or coverage and nominee breakdowns, check out TechnoSports’ Football section.