From the Guardian · · 2m
Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 Power Rankings
Will Ewa Pajor or Melchie Dumornay claim the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026?
In brief
Will Ewa Pajor or Melchie Dumornay claim the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026? Ewa Pajor and Melchie Dumornay lead the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 power rankings after a competitive season with multiple contenders. Originally reported by the Guardian.
2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or
The Women’s Ballon d’Or could have a new winner for the first time since 2023 with Ewa Pajor, Khadija Shaw, Alessia Russo and Melchie Dumornay among the contenders.
Melchie Dumornay
Dumornay scored five goals in Lyonnes’ Champions League run and was named in the team of the tournament after returning from injury.
Ewa Pajor
Pajor scored 11 goals in European competition last season, matching Alexia Putella’s 2021-22 tally and earning her a place in the top scorers.
Khadija Shaw
Shaw won three Women’s Super League golden boots consecutively and scored 21 goals in 22 games for Manchester City.
Alexia Putellas
Putellas returned to form after an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2022, scoring seven goals in the Champions League last season.
Yui Hasegawa
Hasegawa scored 10 goals and helped Japan reach the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final after eight years.
Alessia Russo
Russo scored a goal against Iceland in England’s World Cup qualifying campaign and was named in the PFA team of the year.
Temwa Chawinga
Chawinga scored 15 goals to win the NWSL Shield and helped Malawi reach the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final.
Claudia Pina
Pina scored 21 goals in Liga F and provided five assists, helping Spain qualify for the World Cup.
Patri Guijarro
Guijarro played a key role in Barcelona’s quadruple, including keeping Lyonnes at bay in the Champions League final.
Barbra Banda
Banda scored eight goals as Orlando Pride earned a fourth-place finish in the NWSL and helped Zambia reach the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Kerstin Casparij
Casparij provided seven assists in the WSL last season and captained Manchester City when Alex Greenwood was injured.
Mariona Caldentey
Caldentey played a key role for Arsenal and Spain despite being deeper in midfield last season.
Caroline Graham Hansen
Hansen scored 10 goals and finished as joint-highest assist provider in Liga F as Barcelona won the quadruple.
The bottom line
Ewa Pajor and Melchie Dumornay lead the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 power rankings after a competitive season with multiple contenders.
