The official shortlists for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Club of the Year awards have been confirmed, bringing together the most successful sides in global football over the past season. On the men’s side, the five nominees are Arsenal, Paris Saint‑Germain, Bayern Munich, Bodø/Glimt and Flamengo. For the women’s award, the shortlist features FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Club América, Manchester City and OL Lyon.
Headlining the men’s list are English Premier League champions Arsenal, who ended a 22‑year league title wait under Mikel Arteta and reached the Champions League final, only to lose on penalties to Paris Saint‑Germain. PSG are back‑to‑back European champions and join the shortlist aiming to defend their 2025 Club of the Year crown. German champions Bayern Munich, transformed under Vincent Kompany and powered by Harry Kane, complete the European heavyweights.
The remaining two men’s nominees highlight the global reach of the award. Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt earned their place after a stunning European run that included victories over Atlético Madrid and Manchester City, while Brazilian giants Flamengo secured their nomination by winning the Copa Libertadores for the third time in six years alongside the Campeonato Brasileiro title.
The women’s shortlist is led by FC Barcelona, who completed a domestic treble and reclaimed the Women’s Champions League with a 4–0 final win over Lyon. Manchester City are recognised for ending Chelsea’s WSL dominance by winning the league and FA Cup, while OL Lyon won all three domestic trophies in France and reached the European final. Bayern Munich achieved a domestic treble in Germany, and Club América capped a Mexican double with league and Campeón de Campeonas success.
The nominations arrive after a remarkable cycle on the international and club calendar. Luis Enrique returns to the Coach of the Year shortlist after guiding PSG to consecutive Champions League titles, having won the award in 2025. With nominees stretching from Arctic overachievers Bodø/Glimt to South American champions Flamengo and North America’s Club América, the shortlists encapsulate a historic period of achievement across the global game.
