Voting for the 2026 Ballon d’Or officially closes on Monday, September 28, with France Football preparing to begin the final process of collating votes ahead of the much-anticipated awards ceremony.

France Football unveiled its 30-player shortlist on September 8, giving members of the international voting panel 20 days to submit their selections.

The award is decided by journalists representing the top 100 nations in the FIFA world rankings, with each country having one designated voter.

For this year's award, the FIFA rankings published on July 20, 2026, following the FIFA World Cup final, were used to determine the countries eligible to participate in the voting process.

20 African Countries Have Votes

Africa has a sizeable presence in this year's Ballon d'Or voting, with 20 African countries ranked among FIFA's top 100 nations at the relevant cut-off date.

They are Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Tunisia, DR Congo, Mali, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ghana, Guinea, Gabon, Angola, Uganda, Zambia and Benin.

Each country is represented by a journalist responsible for submitting its Ballon d'Or ballot.

With 20 African journalists participating, the continent could contribute a substantial number of points to the final standings, particularly if one player receives strong support across multiple African ballots.

Mbappé Links Ballon d’Or Ambition to African Roots

French superstar Kylian Mbappé has also spoken about his African heritage while discussing his Ballon d'Or ambitions.

The France forward, whose family has roots in Cameroon and Algeria, has reportedly said that he would dedicate the award to Africa if he eventually wins it.

The comments have generated discussion among football fans, with some viewing the statement as a genuine expression of his connection to his heritage, while others have questioned whether the message could also have a strategic dimension given the role African journalists will play in the voting process.

Whether Mbappé's comments influence individual voters, however, will only become evident when the final ballots are counted.

No Clear Winner Yet

With voting now closing, attention turns to France Football's final tally and the eventual announcement of the winner.

The 2026 race remains closely watched, with several high-profile names expected to feature prominently in the final standings.

Among the players being widely discussed are Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal and Rodri.

However, the final result will ultimately depend on the votes submitted by the international panel, meaning speculation about the leading contenders will remain just that until the official results are announced.

Africa's Role in the Ballon d’Or Race

The participation of 20 African voting nations highlights the continent's potential influence on one of football's most prestigious individual awards.

While no single bloc determines the Ballon d'Or winner, a strong showing across African ballots could make a meaningful difference in a tightly contested race.

With the voting deadline now here, football fans across Africa and around the world will wait to see how the ballots translate into points — and ultimately, who walks away with the 2026 Ballon d'Or.