HENRY, KATE SCOTT NAMED HOSTS FOR 2026 BALLON D’OR AWARDS

Thierry Henry and Kate Scott have been named hosts of the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony, scheduled to take place at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26.

The ceremony will be the 70th edition of the prestigious awards and is expected to attract prominent figures from across the football world.

Henry, a former France international who won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2009 UEFA Champions League, finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting in 2003. He was nominated for the award nine times during his playing career.

The former Arsenal striker will co-host the event with British journalist Scott, his colleague on CBS Sports’ Champions League coverage.

Expressing his excitement about the appointment, Henry said he was honoured to host the ceremony in a city with which he shares a strong personal and football connection.

“London is the city I call home, and I have a deep connection to its football culture and the passionate fans here, so to be hosting here alongside my friend and colleague Kate feels like a natural fit,” he said.

Both Henry and Scott feature on CBS Sports Golazo’s Champions League coverage alongside former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher and ex-Manchester City midfielder Micah Richards.

The men’s shortlist features reigning holder Ousmane Dembélé, eight-time winner Lionel Messi and 2024 recipient Rodri.

Other nominees include Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Bruno Fernandes, Vinícius Júnior and Arsenal players Declan Rice, Gabriel and William Saliba.

The complete list of nominees comprises Jude Bellingham, Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella, Ousmane Dembélé, Luis Díaz, Bruno Fernandes, Gabriel, Erling Haaland, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Lamine Yamal, Sadio Mané, Marquinhos, Lautaro Martínez, Kylian Mbappé, Nuno Mendes, Lionel Messi, João Neves, Michael Olise, Willian Pacho, Julián Quiñones, Declan Rice, Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, William Saliba, Ferran Torres, Dayot Upamecano, Vinícius Júnior and Vitinha.

In the women’s category, two-time winner Alexia Putellas is the only former champion on the shortlist.

Arsenal forwards Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo are among the contenders, alongside Barcelona stars Caroline Graham Hansen, Ewa Pajor and Clàudia Pina.

The other nominees are Selma Bacha, Barbra Banda, Klara Bühl, Esmee Brugts, Scarlett Camberos, Kerstin Casparij, Temwa Chawinga, Cata Coll, Melchie Dumornay, Alex Greenwood, Patri Guijarro, Pernille Harder, Yui Hasegawa, Rose Lavelle, Mapi León, Lorena, Melvine Malard, Manaka Matsukubo, Vivianne Miedema, Alexia Putellas, Wendie Renard, Khadija Shaw, Momoko Tanikawa, Caroline Weir and Tessa Wullaert.