The 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina will feature a large number of players who have either been nominated for or won an award from the Ballon d'Or ecosystem.

Lionel Messi, the all-time leading winner of the Ballon d'Or with eight awards, leads the Argentina squad as they aim to secure their fourth World Cup title in history.

Meanwhile, Rodri Hernández, the most recent Spaniard to win the Ballon d'Or, is at the heart of the Spanish national team as they seek their second World Cup title.

Below, we take a look at all the nominees and winners who will be in attendance at the final, to be played on Sunday 19 July in New Jersey.

Argentina’s nominees and winners

  • Lionel Messi: He is the most successful winner of the award, with eight Ballons d’Or to his name (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023). He has racked up more than 16 nominations throughout his legendary career, making him the most decorated player in the award’s history.

  • Julián Álvarez: He has one Ballon d'Or nomination to his name, achieving a spectacular 7th place in the 2023 edition thanks to his perfect season, in which he won the World Cup with Argentina and the treble with Manchester City.

  • Lautaro Martínez: He has four nominations for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ (2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025). His best result came in 2024 when he finished 7th in the final rankings after establishing himself as a top scorer in Italy and a hero of the Copa América.

  • Alexis Mac Allister: He was nominated for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ in the 2025 edition, where he was ranked 22nd overall in recognition of his outstanding performances in midfield for both Liverpool and the Argentina national team.

  • Emiliano Martínez: He made history by becoming the first goalkeeper to win the Yashin Trophy on two consecutive occasions (2023 and 2024). In those same years, he was nominated for the ‘Ballon d'Or’, achieving his best ranking in 2023 (15th).

  • Lionel Scaloni: He was nominated for the Johann Cruyff Trophy in 2024 for his outstanding performance with the Argentina national team at that year’s Copa América.

Nominees and winners from Spain

  • Rodri Hernández: He was over the moon when he was crowned the new winner of the 2024 Ballon d'Or, a reward for his perfect year with Manchester City and the Spanish national team. He had previously finished 5th in 2023.

  • Lamine Yamal: He is the most successful winner of the Kopa Trophy, having won it back-to-back in 2024 and 2025. At the Ballon d'Or, he wrote a golden chapter in the 2025 edition by finishing in second place, having come eighth the previous year.

  • Pedri: He won the Kopa Trophy in 2021, establishing himself as the best young footballer in the world. He has also been nominated twice for the Ballon d'Or (2021 and 2025).

  • Nico Williams: He received his first major nomination for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ in the 2024 edition, where he finished in an impressive 15th place in the overall rankings following his brilliant and game-changing performance at the European Championship.

  • Dani Olmo: He was also nominated for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ in 2024, reaching 13th place in the rankings thanks to his magnificent Euro campaign and his subsequent, sensational move to FC Barcelona.

  • Fabián Ruiz: He made his debut in the top 30 footballers in the world at the 2025 awards ceremony, finishing 24th in the final vote thanks to his extraordinary tactical display for both PSG and the Spanish national team.

  • Alejandro Grimaldo: He secured his first nomination for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ in the 2024 edition, finishing in 28th place after a superb season at Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen.

  • Gavi: He was awarded the Kopa Trophy in 2022, directly succeeding his club-mate Pedri as the best under-21 player in world football.

  • Unai Simón: He was nominated for the Yashin Trophy in 2024, where he achieved a very creditable second place worldwide, behind only ‘Dibu’ Martínez, cementing his status as one of the best goalkeepers on the European continent.

  • David Raya: He was nominated for the Yashin Trophy in 2025.

  • Pau Cubarsí: The jewel in the crown of the defence officially joined the ‘Ballon d'Or’ family when he was nominated for the 2025 Kopa Trophy, demonstrating a maturity beyond his years.

  • Luis de la Fuente: He was one of the nominees for the 2024 Johan Cruyff Trophy for Best Coach, sharing the shortlist with the most prestigious managers on the planet after leading Spain back to the top of European football.

Will any further names be added to the shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d'Or?