Alexia Putellas won the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or, finishing ahead of Ewa Pajor and Khadija Shaw at the ceremony in London on 26 October. It was her third Ballon d’Or Féminin, adding to her victories in 2021 and 2022 and drawing her level with Aitana Bonmatí as the award’s joint record holder.
The official Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 rankings feature 30 nominees. Melchie Dumornay finished fourth, followed by Patri Guijarro, Caroline Graham Hansen, Pernille Harder, Clàudia Pina, Alessia Russo and Temwa Chawinga in the Top 10.
Below, you’ll find the full results from first to 30th, analysis of the leading players, the original PlayersRanked prediction compared with the final vote, previous winners and an early look at the 2027 Women’s Ballon d’Or favourites.
Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026: Results at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who won the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or? | Alexia Putellas |
| Runner-up | Ewa Pajor |
| Third place | Khadija Shaw |
| Ceremony date | 26 October 2026 |
| Venue | London Palladium, London |
| Number of nominees | 30 |
| Highest-ranked English player | Alessia Russo, 9th |
| Highest-ranked American player | Rose Lavelle, 27th |
| Highest-ranked African player | Temwa Chawinga, 10th |
| Most Women’s Ballon d’Or wins | Putellas and Bonmatí, three each |
The Women’s Ballon d’Or, also known as the Ballon d’Or Féminin, has been awarded since 2018.
The final result is determined by an international jury rather than a public fan vote.
Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 rankings: Full list from 1 to 30
The 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or final ranking is confirmed. This is the official result, not an editorial power ranking or a prediction.
Alexia Putellas finished first, Ewa Pajor second and Khadija Shaw third.
Official Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 rankings
| Rank | Player | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexia Putellas | Spain |
| 2 | Ewa Pajor | Poland |
| 3 | Khadija Shaw | Jamaica |
| 4 | Melchie Dumornay | Haiti |
| 5 | Patri Guijarro | Spain |
| 6 | Caroline Graham Hansen | Norway |
| 7 | Pernille Harder | Denmark |
| 8 | Clàudia Pina | Spain |
| 9 | Alessia Russo | England |
| 10 | Temwa Chawinga | Malawi |
| 11 | Yui Hasegawa | Japan |
| 12 | Klara Bühl | Germany |
| 13 | Mariona Caldentey | Spain |
| 14 | Wendie Renard | France |
| 15 | Cata Coll | Spain |
| 16 | Mapi León | Spain |
| 17 | Esmee Brugts | Netherlands |
| 18 | Barbra Banda | Zambia |
| 19 | Tessa Wullaert | Belgium |
| 20 | Selma Bacha | France |
| 21 | Scarlett Camberos | Mexico |
| 22 | Manaka Matsukubo | Japan |
| 23 | Momoko Tanikawa | Japan |
| 24 | Kerstin Casparij | Netherlands |
| 25 | Caroline Weir | Scotland |
| 26 | Alex Greenwood | England |
| 27 | Rose Lavelle | United States |
| 28 (joint) | Lorena | Brazil |
| 28 (joint) | Melvine Malard | France |
| 28 (joint) | Vivianne Miedema | Netherlands |
Why are there no separate 29th and 30th positions? Three players tied for 28th place. All 30 nominees appear in the rankings, but the final two numerical positions are not assigned individually.
Sources: Official Ballon d’Or 2026 Women’s ranking and UEFA’s 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or results.
Who won the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026?
Alexia Putellas is the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or winner. The Spain international received the award for the third time after an outstanding 2025/26 season with Barcelona.
Putellas scored seven goals and supplied seven assists in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, giving her 14 direct goal contributions.
Barcelona won the competition with a 4–0 victory over OL Lyonnes in the final, and UEFA named Putellas its Women’s Champions League Player of the Season.
She also entered the award period with the achievement of helping Spain win the 2025 UEFA Women’s Nations League, where she was named Player of the Finals.
Ahead of the 2026/27 season, Putellas moved to London City Lionesses. Her award-winning campaign, however, was primarily built on her performances with Barcelona.
Why did Alexia Putellas win?
| Factor | 2025/26 achievement |
|---|---|
| Women’s Champions League | Winner with Barcelona |
| Champions League goals | 7 |
| Champions League assists | 7 |
| Direct goal contributions | 14 |
| UEFA individual honour | Player of the Season |
| Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 | Winner |
| Career Ballon d’Or titles | 3 |
Her combination of individual production, creativity, performances in major matches and collective success made her a compelling winner.
Ewa Pajor had an equally notable scoring record, but Putellas finished ahead in the final vote.
Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 Top 10: Player-by-player analysis
1. Alexia Putellas – Winner
Putellas combined outstanding attacking numbers with a Champions League title.
Her seven goals and seven assists gave her 14 direct contributions, and she was named the competition’s best player.
The victory also marked a historic return to the top of the Ballon d’Or rankings, four years after her previous win.
PlayersRanked had already ranked Putellas first in its pre-award prediction.
2. Ewa Pajor – Barcelona
Ewa Pajor finished second after a remarkable European campaign.
The Poland international scored 11 Women’s Champions League goals, more than any other player.
She also scored twice in Barcelona’s 4–0 final victory over OL Lyonnes and was named Player of the Match.
With 13 direct goal contributions in the competition, Pajor had one of the strongest individual cases of any nominee.
3. Khadija Shaw – Manchester City
Khadija Shaw completed the podium.
The Jamaica international was one of the standout forwards of the season and a central figure in Manchester City’s attack.
Her third-place finish exceeded our pre-award prediction, which had ranked her fifth.
Shaw’s result also highlights the importance of performances in domestic leagues, not only the Champions League.
4. Melchie Dumornay – OL Lyonnes
Melchie Dumornay finished fourth.
The Haiti international played a major role in OL Lyonnes reaching the Women’s Champions League final.
Her performances against elite European opposition helped establish her as one of the most highly regarded players in the 2026 rankings.
Although Lyon lost the final to Barcelona, Dumornay remained among the top four.
5. Patri Guijarro – Barcelona
Patri Guijarro placed fifth.
The Spanish midfielder was a key part of Barcelona’s successful season, contributing through possession control, tactical intelligence and midfield organisation.
Her position demonstrates that individual awards are not decided by goals and assists alone.
6. Caroline Graham Hansen – Barcelona
Caroline Graham Hansen finished sixth.
The Norway international was another major creative influence in Barcelona’s attack, contributing four assists in the Champions League.
PlayersRanked had also placed her sixth in its original power ranking.
7. Pernille Harder – Bayern Munich
Pernille Harder took seventh place.
The Denmark international scored eight Champions League goals and helped Bayern Munich reach the semi-finals.
Her attacking performances made her one of the leading candidates from the German Bundesliga.
8. Clàudia Pina – Barcelona
Clàudia Pina finished eighth.
The Spanish forward continued to be a major attacking threat for Barcelona after her strong performances in the previous European campaign.
She finished one position higher than our original prediction.
9. Alessia Russo – Arsenal
Alessia Russo was the highest-ranked English player, finishing ninth.
The Arsenal striker scored nine Women’s Champions League goals in 2025/26, the second-highest total behind Pajor.
Arsenal reached the semi-finals, where they were eliminated by OL Lyonnes.
Russo’s goalscoring record earned her a place among the world’s top ten players.
10. Temwa Chawinga – Kansas City Current
Temwa Chawinga completed the Top 10.
The Malawi international has established herself as one of the most dangerous forwards in the NWSL.
Her tenth-place finish was particularly significant for African football and for players competing outside Europe’s leading club competitions.
How did English, American and African players rank?
The final results provide several useful regional comparisons.
English players in the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or rankings
| Player | Club | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Alessia Russo | Arsenal | 9 |
| Alex Greenwood | Manchester City | 26 |
Russo was England’s highest-ranked player, while Greenwood also appeared among the 30 nominees.
American players in the 2026 rankings
Rose Lavelle was the highest-ranked United States player, finishing 27th.
Other NWSL-based players, including Temwa Chawinga and Barbra Banda, also earned places in the rankings.
African players in the 2026 rankings
| Player | Country | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Temwa Chawinga | Malawi | 10 |
| Barbra Banda | Zambia | 18 |
Chawinga’s Top 10 finish was the strongest result for an African player in this edition.
Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 nominees: All 30 players
The official 30-player shortlist was announced on 8 September 2026.
It featured leading players from Barcelona, OL Lyonnes, Arsenal, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, the NWSL and other clubs.
| Player | Nationality |
|---|---|
| Selma Bacha | France |
| Barbra Banda | Zambia |
| Esmee Brugts | Netherlands |
| Klara Bühl | Germany |
| Mariona Caldentey | Spain |
| Scarlett Camberos | Mexico |
| Kerstin Casparij | Netherlands |
| Temwa Chawinga | Malawi |
| Cata Coll | Spain |
| Melchie Dumornay | Haiti |
| Caroline Graham Hansen | Norway |
| Alex Greenwood | England |
| Patri Guijarro | Spain |
| Pernille Harder | Denmark |
| Yui Hasegawa | Japan |
| Rose Lavelle | United States |
| Mapi León | Spain |
| Lorena | Brazil |
| Melvine Malard | France |
| Manaka Matsukubo | Japan |
| Vivianne Miedema | Netherlands |
| Ewa Pajor | Poland |
| Clàudia Pina | Spain |
| Alexia Putellas | Spain |
| Wendie Renard | France |
| Alessia Russo | England |
| Khadija Shaw | Jamaica |
| Momoko Tanikawa | Japan |
| Caroline Weir | Scotland |
| Tessa Wullaert | Belgium |
All ten players in our original PlayersRanked power ranking were included in the official shortlist.
Nominees vs rankings: The shortlist identifies the players eligible for the award. The final ranking records their positions after the jury vote.
Why was Aitana Bonmatí not nominated in 2026?
Aitana Bonmatí won the Women’s Ballon d’Or in 2023, 2024 and 2025, becoming the first player to claim three consecutive women’s awards.
However, she was absent from the 2026 shortlist following a season affected by injury.
Her absence meant the award was guaranteed to go to a different player.
Alexia Putellas ultimately won, bringing her career total to three and joining Bonmatí as joint record holder.
Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 favourites: How our prediction compared
Before the ceremony, PlayersRanked published an editorial Top 10 based on individual performances, statistics, trophies and influence in major matches.
The original prediction placed Putellas first and Pajor second.
With the official rankings now available, we can compare our forecast against the final results.
| Player | PlayersRanked prediction | Official result | Positions gained/lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexia Putellas | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Ewa Pajor | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Melchie Dumornay | 3 | 4 | −1 |
| Pernille Harder | 4 | 7 | −3 |
| Khadija Shaw | 5 | 3 | +2 |
| Caroline Graham Hansen | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Alessia Russo | 7 | 9 | −2 |
| Klara Bühl | 8 | 12 | −4 |
| Clàudia Pina | 9 | 8 | +1 |
| Yui Hasegawa | 10 | 11 | −1 |
Positive values indicate that a player finished higher than predicted.
Did PlayersRanked predict the winner correctly?
Yes. Alexia Putellas was our number-one pick before the ceremony.
We also correctly predicted Ewa Pajor in second place and Caroline Graham Hansen in sixth.
Every player in our original Top 10 finished inside the official Top 12.
What were the biggest surprises?
Khadija Shaw finished two positions higher than expected.
Klara Bühl finished four places lower than our forecast.
Patri Guijarro and Temwa Chawinga reached the official Top 10 despite being outside our original ten-player selection.
These differences underline why a Ballon d’Or prediction is not the same as the final jury ranking.
Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 odds: What happened to the betting favourites?
Searches for Women’s Ballon d’Or odds, women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 betting odds and womens ballon dor odds were particularly common before the ceremony.
However, the 2026 award has already been decided. Any pre-award betting market is now historical rather than a live prediction of the winner.
Who was the favourite in the Women’s Ballon d’Or odds?
Alexia Putellas was the leading candidate in the PlayersRanked editorial forecast, with Ewa Pajor her closest challenger.
That was a performance-based prediction, not a bookmaker price or an independently verified betting market.
We do not publish specific historical odds here because no complete, timestamped set of bookmaker prices has been verified.
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Betting odds | A bookmaker’s price before an event |
| Implied probability | A probability calculated from the quoted odds, before adjusting for the bookmaker’s margin |
| Editorial power ranking | A journalist’s assessment of the leading candidates |
| Official ranking | The final positions determined by the jury |
Can you still bet on the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or winner?
The result is known, so pre-award winner odds for the 2026 edition are no longer relevant as a future-outcome market.
Any discussion of 2027 odds should be treated separately from the confirmed 2026 results.
When was the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony?
The ceremony took place on Monday, 26 October 2026, at the London Palladium Theatre.
It was the first time the event had been held in London, marking the 70th anniversary of the original men’s Ballon d’Or.
The men’s and women’s awards were presented during the same ceremony.
Other major 2026 Ballon d’Or winners
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Women’s Ballon d’Or | Alexia Putellas |
| Men’s Ballon d’Or | Harry Kane |
| Women’s Young Talent of the Year | Vicky López |
| Men’s Young Talent of the Year | Lamine Yamal |
| Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year | Cata Coll |
| Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year | Unai Simón |
| Women’s Coach of the Year | Pere Romeu |
| Men’s Coach of the Year | Luis de la Fuente |
| Women’s Club of the Year | Barcelona |
| Men’s Club of the Year | Paris Saint-Germain |
For more coverage, see our 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or rankings and results.
Who won the Women’s Ballon d’Or in 2025?
Aitana Bonmatí won the 2025 Women’s Ballon d’Or.
It was her third consecutive victory after also winning in 2023 and 2024.
Putellas had previously won in 2021 and 2022 before returning to first place in 2026.
Women’s Ballon d’Or winners list: Every winner since 2018
The Ballon d’Or Féminin was introduced in 2018.
Ada Hegerberg won the inaugural award, followed by Megan Rapinoe in 2019.
No award was presented in 2020.
| Year | Winner | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Alexia Putellas | Spain |
| 2025 | Aitana Bonmatí | Spain |
| 2024 | Aitana Bonmatí | Spain |
| 2023 | Aitana Bonmatí | Spain |
| 2022 | Alexia Putellas | Spain |
| 2021 | Alexia Putellas | Spain |
| 2020 | No award | — |
| 2019 | Megan Rapinoe | United States |
| 2018 | Ada Hegerberg | Norway |
Who has won the most Women’s Ballon d’Or awards?
Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí share the all-time record with three awards each.
| Player | Titles | Winning years |
|---|---|---|
| Alexia Putellas | 3 | 2021, 2022, 2026 |
| Aitana Bonmatí | 3 | 2023, 2024, 2025 |
| Megan Rapinoe | 1 | 2019 |
| Ada Hegerberg | 1 | 2018 |
The men’s award has a longer history, dating back to 1956, with Lionel Messi holding the record of eight victories.
For more historical context, see our guide to the Super Ballon d’Or.
How are the Women’s Ballon d’Or rankings decided?
The Women’s Ballon d’Or is awarded by France Football and has been co-organised with UEFA since 2024.
The award considers performances over the relevant football season rather than simply the calendar year.
The three principal criteria are:
- Individual performances and decisive impact.
- Collective achievements and trophies.
- Class and fair play.
Who votes for the Women’s Ballon d’Or?
An international panel of specialist journalists votes for the award.
Each juror ranks ten players from the official shortlist of 30.
The voting points system is:
| Position on ballot | Points |
|---|---|
| 1st | 15 |
| 2nd | 12 |
| 3rd | 10 |
| 4th | 8 |
| 5th | 7 |
| 6th | 5 |
| 7th | 4 |
| 8th | 3 |
| 9th | 2 |
| 10th | 1 |
The player receiving the most points wins.
Fans do not directly determine the final result through a public online vote.
Women’s Ballon d’Or 2027: Early favourites and predictions
Attention is already turning to the 2027 Women’s Ballon d’Or.
There is no official 2027 shortlist, final ranking or winner yet. Any predictions at this stage are preliminary.
The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil could have a major influence on the next award race.
Who are the early Women’s Ballon d’Or 2027 favourites?
| Player | Early case for 2027 |
|---|---|
| Alexia Putellas | Defending winner and three-time champion |
| Ewa Pajor | 2026 runner-up |
| Khadija Shaw | Third in 2026 |
| Melchie Dumornay | Fourth in 2026 |
| Patri Guijarro | Fifth in 2026 |
| Caroline Graham Hansen | Sixth in 2026 |
| Aitana Bonmatí | Three-time winner with comeback potential |
| Alessia Russo | England’s highest-ranked player in 2026 |
| Temwa Chawinga | Top 10 finisher and leading African contender |
This is a PlayersRanked editorial watchlist, not an official nomination list or a ranked forecast for 2027.
How could the 2027 Women’s World Cup affect the award?
The Women’s World Cup is scheduled to take place in Brazil from 24 June to 25 July 2027.
Strong performances at a major international tournament can shape perceptions of individual players, particularly when combined with an outstanding club season.
However, whether the tournament falls within the official evaluation period will depend on the rules for the 2027 award.
For now, the key question is which players can maintain elite performances throughout the 2026/27 club season.
Are there Women’s Ballon d’Or 2027 odds yet?
Any 2027 bookmaker odds would be provisional and could change significantly as the season develops.
PlayersRanked does not present unverified bookmaker prices as confirmed odds.
Our early watchlist is based on the 2026 results and each player’s potential to challenge again.
When is the 2027 Women’s Ballon d’Or ceremony?
The official ceremony date for 2027 has not yet been confirmed.
The shortlist and final rankings will be updated once the organisers publish verified information.
Women’s Ballon d’Or vs men’s Ballon d’Or
| Category | Women’s Ballon d’Or | Men’s Ballon d’Or |
|---|---|---|
| First awarded | 2018 | 1956 |
| 2026 winner | Alexia Putellas | Harry Kane |
| All-time record | Putellas and Bonmatí, 3 each | Lionel Messi, 8 |
| 2026 ceremony | 26 October | 26 October |
| Award organiser | France Football | France Football |
Both awards recognise outstanding individual performances, but they cover different competitions and sporting contexts.
Final verdict: Putellas wins, and the focus shifts to 2027
Alexia Putellas won the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 ahead of Ewa Pajor and Khadija Shaw.
Her third title moves her level with Aitana Bonmatí at the top of the all-time winners list.
The official Top 30 includes leading players from Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia, with Alessia Russo the highest-ranked English player and Temwa Chawinga the highest-ranked African player.
PlayersRanked correctly predicted the top two positions before the ceremony.
Looking ahead, the 2027 Women’s Ballon d’Or race is likely to be shaped by another demanding club season and the potential impact of the Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Frequently asked questions about the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026
Who won the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or?
Alexia Putellas won the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or ahead of Ewa Pajor and Khadija Shaw. It was her third award after victories in 2021 and 2022.
What are the official Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 rankings?
The top five are Alexia Putellas, Ewa Pajor, Khadija Shaw, Melchie Dumornay and Patri Guijarro. The full rankings include all 30 nominees.
Who finished in the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 Top 10?
Putellas, Pajor, Shaw, Dumornay, Guijarro, Graham Hansen, Harder, Pina, Russo and Chawinga completed the official Top 10.
Who were the favourites for the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or?
Before the ceremony, PlayersRanked ranked Alexia Putellas first, followed by Ewa Pajor, Melchie Dumornay, Pernille Harder and Khadija Shaw.
Who were the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or nominees?
Thirty players were nominated, including Putellas, Pajor, Shaw, Dumornay, Harder, Russo, Graham Hansen and Bühl. The shortlist was announced on 8 September.
Who was the highest-ranked English player?
Alessia Russo finished ninth, making her the highest-ranked English player in the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or.
Who was the highest-ranked African player?
Temwa Chawinga of Malawi finished tenth. Barbra Banda of Zambia placed eighteenth.
What were the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 odds?
Bookmaker odds were relevant before the ceremony, but the result is now confirmed. PlayersRanked does not publish unverified historical betting prices.
Did PlayersRanked correctly predict the 2026 winner?
Yes. PlayersRanked ranked Alexia Putellas first and Ewa Pajor second before the ceremony, matching the top two official positions.
Was Aitana Bonmatí nominated for the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or?
No. Bonmatí was absent from the 30-player shortlist after a season affected by injury. She won the award in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
When was the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or ceremony?
The ceremony took place on Monday, 26 October 2026, at the London Palladium in London.
Who won the Women’s Ballon d’Or in 2025?
Aitana Bonmatí won the 2025 Women’s Ballon d’Or, completing three consecutive victories.
Who has won the most Women’s Ballon d’Or awards?
Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí share the record with three titles each.
Who scored the most Women’s Champions League goals in 2025/26?
Ewa Pajor was the leading scorer with eleven goals, followed by Alessia Russo with nine and Pernille Harder with eight.
Who are the early favourites for the 2027 Women’s Ballon d’Or?
Alexia Putellas, Ewa Pajor, Khadija Shaw, Melchie Dumornay and Aitana Bonmatí are among the players to watch. No official shortlist exists yet.
When is the 2027 Women’s Ballon d’Or?
The official date has not yet been confirmed.
Will the 2027 Women’s World Cup affect the Ballon d’Or?
It could influence the race, depending on the award’s official evaluation period and players’ performances in Brazil.
