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Harry Kane wins 2026 Ballon d'Or after premature official announcement

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has won the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or, despite the award's official website prematurely publishing an article announcing his victory hours before the ceremony.

FTMQ Sports, written by our newsroom0 views

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Picture: BBC Sport Front Page

Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane was awarded the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or on Monday, October 26, in London, according to Yahoo Sports. However, BBC Sport reported that France Football, the organisers of the award, prematurely published an article titled 'Harry Kane wins the 2026 Ballon d'Or' on their official website at 17:15 GMT, several hours before the formal ceremony took place. [1][2][3][4]

Yahoo Sports reported that 33-year-old Kane beat Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal to secure the honor at the 70th annual awards ceremony. Journalists voted for the winner at the end of September, BBC Sport added. [1][2][3][4][5]

Yahoo Sports reports that Kane is the first English player to win the award since 2001, and the first Bayern Munich player to win it since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981. France Football magazine has presented the prestigious prize annually since 1956. [2][3][4]

England head coach Thomas Tuchel congratulated Kane on his victory, calling him a leader, Yahoo Sports reported. As FTMQ Sports reported earlier, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice had previously backed Kane as the clear candidate for the honor following Bayern Munich's 2-2 Champions League draw against Arsenal. [5][14]

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In short

  • Harry Kane won the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or at the 70th annual awards ceremony in London on October 26, 2026.
  • The award's official website prematurely published an article announcing Kane's win at 17:15 GMT prior to the ceremony.
  • Kane is the first English player to win the Ballon d'Or since 2001 and the first Bayern Munich recipient since 1981.
  • Kane finished ahead of runners-up Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal in the voting.

Sources

Every paragraph above points to the numbered items it rests on. Read the originals here.

  1. [1]Kane prematurely announced as Ballon d'Or winner - but he wasn't only oneBBC Sport Front Page, 1h ago (the report this story comes from)
  2. [2]Kane prematurely announced as Ballon d'Or winner - but he wasn't only oneYahoo Sports Top, 1h ago
  3. [3]Bayern bosses congratulate Kane on Ballon d'Or triumphYahoo Sports Top, 1h ago
  4. [4]Harry Kane’s emotional acceptance speech in full after winning Ballon d’OrYahoo Sports Top, 1h ago
  5. [5]"We are lucky to have you as our leader" – Tuchel congratulates Kane on "deserved" Ballon d'OrYahoo Sports Top, 1h ago
  6. [6]Ballon d'Or: Harry Kane's crowning momentYahoo Sports Top, 1h ago
  7. [7]Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or win doesn’t erase past robberies, but it eases the stingYahoo Sports Top, 1h ago
  8. [8]Harry Kane: Bayern Munich and England striker wins Ballon d'Or after record seasonBBC, 2h ago
  9. [9]Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or win bucks the trend and is fitting for a humble superstarThe Mirror, 2h ago
  10. [10]Harry Kane claims men’s Ballon d’Or to end England’s 25-year wait for winnerThe Guardian, 1h ago
  11. [11]Harry Kane wins 2026 Ballon d'Or: Bayern Munich striker becomes first English winner of award in 25 yearsSky Sports, 2h ago
  12. [12]'Harry Kane wins 2026 Ballon d'Or': Final result 'leaked' as rankings are announcedLondon Evening Standard, 5h ago

Background

  1. [13]Johan Cruyff on Wikipedia
  2. [14]Declan Rice backs Harry Kane for Ballon d'Or after Champions League draw FTMQ Sports, 5d ago

Our newsroom writes these reports with the help of software, from the 14 sources listed and nothing else, and checks them against those sources. Facts can still be wrong or move on; the originals are the record. Spotted a mistake? Write to daniel@monsterkong.com.

Related from FTMQ Sports

Earlier reports of ours on the same people and subjects.

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