World Cup Final Could Determine 2026 Ballon d'Or Winner
July 18, 2026 ·
The 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is expected to influence the winner of the 2026 Ballon d'Or. With Messi and Yamal as candidates, the result of the match could be decisive.
World Cup Final Could Determine 2026 Ballon d'Or Winner
According to Bbc.
Background
Lionel Messi, as one of the greatest players of all time, has the opportunity to add to his collection of individual awards if Argentina manages to win in the final. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal, who also appeared impressive, could become a shining new star if he succeeds in bringing his team to a trophy. With so many strong competitors, this final will be a crucial moment in determining who deserves the 2026 Ballon d'Or.
Why this is important
The 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina will not only determine world champion, but can also influence who will win the 2026 Ballon d'Or. With Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal as the main candidates, the result of this match could be a deciding factor in the race for this prestigious award. Remembering history, victory in major tournaments is often a condition for winning the Ballon d'Or.
Main Points
- The World Cup Final Could Determine the 2026 Ballon d'Or Winner.
- The 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is expected to influence the 2026 Ballon d'Or winner.
- How the World Cup final could be pivotal in the Ballon d'Or race.
When Spain and Argentina meet in the World Cup final on Sunday, the players' main focus will be lifting the famous trophy. However, this result at New Jersey's New York Stadium could have a bigger impact than just crowning world champions - it could also determine who will win the 2026 Ballon d'Or. The era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's dominance may have passed, but in recent years, there has always been a clear favorite to take the award. In 2026, the situation is different. There are many contenders, although history shows that it is difficult to reach the top spot without also winning the Champions League or a major international tournament in the same year. Will the World Cup final decide who will get this award - perhaps in favor of Lamine Yamal or Messi - or will the winner be someone else? In one of the tightest races in history, the deciding moment may yet come. Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe have all scored incredible goals in the 2025-26 season, but that's only one part of the story. Often, a candidate needs to win major trophies at both continental and international level. Only four of the last 19 Ballon d'Or wins have gone to players who did not triumph in the UEFA Champions League, World Cup, European Championship or Copa America in the same year. Messi contributed to three of those wins (2010, 2012, 2019) and Ronaldo the other (2013). Right or wrong, this means the odds are not in favor of Kane, Haaland, Mbappe, Michael Olise, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham. Ousmane Dembele picked up the 2025 award after winning the Champions League with Paris St-Germain. Defensive success this year means Dembele and team-mate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are in the conversation. This brings us to the World Cup final, where the two candidates will face each other. Messi, aged 39, is bidding for a record-extending ninth Ballon d'Or, while 19-year-old Lamine Yamal hopes to improve on his second-place finish in 2025. Although the teenage winger was not as brilliant as when Spain won Euro 2024 - he scored just one goal and no assists in seven games - he was a key part of the Spanish collective who reached their first World Cup final since winning the 2010 edition. Lamine Yamal is enjoying another impressive season for Barcelona - scored 24 goals and 18 assists in 45 games - despite missing the final month of the competition through injury. Barcelona won La Liga but were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, so Spain may need to win the World Cup if it wants to be crowned the best in the world. Kane had a superb 2025-26 season - the Englishman scored 61 goals in 51 games across all club competitions as Bayern Munich swept to the league and cup titles. However, defeats in the Champions League semi-finals with his club and in the World Cup with England could be a deterrent. "I can score 100 goals this season, but if I don't win the Champions League or the World Cup, I probably won't win the Ballon d'Or," Kane said in November. "The same goes for any player. You have to win that big trophy." His Bayern teammate Olise enjoyed a superb second season in Bavaria, scoring 22 goals and providing 31 assists in 52 games. The 24-year-old carried his form into the World Cup and has provided more assists (five) than anyone else at the tournament, but he and his team-mates were hugely disappointing in the 0-2 semi-final defeat by Spain. French striker Kylian Mbappe scored eight goals this summer after topping the goalscoring charts in La Liga and the Champions League. He has been one of the most consistent goalscorers in world football over the past eight years, but at 27, he has yet to win the Ballon d'Or. After a trophyless season with Real Madrid and disappointment at the World Cup, that is unlikely to change. Haaland won the Premier League Golden Boot for the third time in four seasons, but in terms of trophies, he only managed the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Scoring seven goals in Norway's first World Cup in 28 years will only further cement his legendary status on home soil. Ballon d'Or holder Dembele won Ligue 1 and the Champions League for the second time in a row, but injuries limited his contribution. Nevertheless, impressive performances at the World Cup - five goals and two assists - gave his chances a timely boost. PSG teammate Kvaratskhelia shone in the Champions League last season (10 goals and seven assists), but his country, Georgia, did not qualify for the World Cup. Bellingham deserves a mention for taking England to the World Cup semi-finals, but an injury-plagued campaign and lack of realistic silverware saw him sidelined. Rice will be in the top-10 conversation - the midfielder was instrumental for an Arsenal side that won the Premier League and were just a few penalty kicks away from becoming European champions.
What happened next
After the World Cup final, attention will turn to how Messi and Yamal's performances at club level will affect their chances of winning the Ballon d'Or. Apart from that, other players such as Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe will also be in the spotlight, considering their contribution in the 2025-26 season. The final assessment will consider a combination of individual and collective achievements in major tournaments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the World Cup final?
The World Cup final brings together Spain and Argentina, with the players' main focus being on lifting the championship trophy.
Who confirmed that the final result could influence the 2026 Ballon d'Or?
This article states that the results of the World Cup final could influence who will win the 2026 Ballon d'Or.
Why do World Cup final results matter now?
The results of the World Cup final are important because they can determine the winner of the 2026 Ballon d'Or, amidst tight competition between many players.
What changes are likely to occur in the Ballon d'Or race after the final?
The Ballon d'Or race may change depending on who wins the World Cup final and whether they also pick up other major trophies.
Who are the players who are strong candidates for the 2026 Ballon d'Or?
Players who are strong candidates for the 2026 Ballon d'Or include Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.