The World Cup 2026 has reached the quarter-finals and the one big question that is on everybody’s lips right now is, who is going to be the winner of the Ballon d’Or 2026? 

The award goes to the best footballer in the world year in and year out and right now one player is pulling away from everyone else. The name of this exceptional player is none other but Kylian Mbappe and he has been on fire at this tournament.

Mbappe Is the One to Beat Right Now

France captain Kylian Mbappe is now one of the biggest favourites to win the Ballon d’Or 2026 right now and it is very clear for everyone to see.

The 27 year old has been the best player when it comes to attacking at this World Cup by a long way. He has scored seven goals and made two assists so far in the tournament. France are able to make it to the quarter-finals and Mbappe has been their best player every step of the way.

A website called suresttips which keeps records of the chances of things that are going on in the field currently rates Mbappe at 26% chance of winning the Ballon d’Or 2026. That is the highest of any player in the world currently.

If he keeps scoring and France keeps winning, no other player will be able to meet up with him.

Kane Is Right There Behind Him

England captain Harry Kane is not giving up without a fight.

Kane has been able to score 6 goals at this World Cup and has been one of the most reliable players of the entire tournament. England have also made it to the quarter finals and Kane is the reason that they reached there.

Suresttips gives Kane a 23% chance of winning the Ballon d’Or 2026. That is only 3% behind Mbappe. If England keeps up with this winning pace and Kane keeps scoring, this race could get very interesting very quickly.

Messi and Dembele Are Still in the Fight

Two more players are still very much in this race and they are not going to be left out.

We have Lionel Messi of Argentina and Ousmane Dembele of France who have both been given an 11% chance of winning the Ballon d’Or 2026 by Surestips.

The most fun fact here is Messi. Before this World Cup even began, Messi had less than 1% chance of winning the award. 

Nobody thought of him when it came to this discussion. But his performances at the 2026 World Cup have completely changed that. 

The man who has already won the Ballon d’Or eight times in his career is reminding the world that he is able to compete with the very best even as of now.

Dembele has also been very good for France in all of the tournament. He has been direct, dangerous and creative going forward together with Mbappe. His contributions have placed France in the last eight and his numbers keep increasing.

Where the Race Stands Right Now

What Is Going to Happen Next

The quarter finals are finally here and every game from this point counts far more than before. One great performance in the next few games could totally change this race.

Mbappe is in front right now but Kane is close by. Messi and Dembele are still actively participating in this conversation. Nobody should be written off just yet.

The best football of this World Cup is still to come and so is the best of this Ballon d’Or race.

The Big Question

Who is that one player that can stop Mbappe from winning the Ballon d’Or 2026  or will Kane, Messi or Dembele find a way of going through him before this tournament ends?

With the quarter-finals starting, that will give us a much clearer answer. Let’s all stay tuned.

Follow Suresttips for World Cup 2026 updates, match previews, and daily football predictions throughout the tournament as it continues.

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