Ballon d’Or organisers release update on World Cup’s impact on 2026 award race

Organizers of the prestigious Ballon d’Or award have clarified the relationship between winning the FIFA World Cup and securing football's top individual honor, stating that World Cup success, while beneficial, is not an automatic guarantee.

The analysis comes as attention turns to the 2026 award following the conclusion of the World Cup. Historically, only seven players have managed to win both the FIFA World Cup and the Ballon d’Or in the same cycle. This includes England's Bobby Charlton in 1966, Italy's Paolo Rossi in 1982, and Germany's Lothar Matthäus in 1990.

The trend became more pronounced after 1995 when the Ballon d’Or expanded its scope to include global players. France's Zinedine Zidane achieved the double in 1998, followed by Brazil's Ronaldo in 2002 and Italy's Fabio Cannavaro in 2006. However, in recent cycles, World Cup winners have often missed out on the Ballon d’Or.

Notable instances include Lionel Messi winning the award in 2010 despite Spain's World Cup victory, and Cristiano Ronaldo receiving it in 2014 ahead of World Cup finalist Messi. Luka Modrić won the Ballon d’Or in 2018 as a World Cup runner-up. It wasn't until Lionel Messi's triumph with Argentina in 2022 that a World Cup champion again secured the Ballon d’Or in the subsequent award year. Organizers emphasized that winning the award requires being the best player of the entire season, not solely excelling in the World Cup.

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Yes, winning the World Cup helps, but it does not guarantee a Ballon d’Or. To win it, you need to have been the best player of the season, not only of the World Cup.