Ballon d’Or voting: The two nations that snubbed Kane, Fernandes’ bad year and Greece’s bizarre top 10

Two national juries have omitted England’s striker Harry Kane from their 2026 Ballon d’Or ballots, instantly reshaping the race and boosting the prospects of lower‑profile candidates. The shift matters for Kane’s title hopes and for emerging players who now stand to gain recognition on the world stage. Nigeria’s submitted list, revealed by Daily Post Nigeria, and a surprise pick by a U.S. juror, noted by Sports Illustrated, illustrate the new voting landscape.

The voting process lets each nation submit its own shortlist, allowing local preferences to steer outcomes. Flashscore.com reports Michael Oti Adjei’s endorsement of Kylian Mbappé, while Goal.com examines Morocco’s representative choices and questions whether Yamal’s decision to back Spain affected his standing. An under‑performing season for Bruno Fernandes, highlighted by The New York Times, further explains his omission from several juries.

The New York Times notes the snub but does not identify the two nations, and Greece’s “bizarre” top‑ten list is referenced without detail. Unclear which athletes occupy Greece’s shortlist and how the undisclosed votes will alter the final tally remain open questions for the award’s outcome.