Banda, Chawinga make 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or top 30 shortlist

Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga have emerged as the only African players included in the 30-woman shortlist for the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or.

The nominations, announced on Tuesday, recognise the outstanding performances of the two African forwards, particularly during the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) staged in Morocco.

Banda and Chawinga were instrumental in their respective national teams’ campaigns at the continental tournament, with both players finishing among the leading contributors in front of goal.

Chawinga recorded an impressive five goals and two assists during the competition, while Banda also scored five goals and registered one assist.

Their inclusion means Africa has two representatives among the leading contenders for one of football’s most prestigious individual awards.

The recognition comes amid growing global attention on African women’s football, with players from the continent increasingly competing for major individual honours and earning opportunities at some of the world’s leading clubs.

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For Chawinga, the nomination further highlights her rise as one of Malawi’s most prominent football exports. Her five-goal haul at WAFCON, combined with her ability to create opportunities for teammates, strengthened her case for a place among the world’s elite players.

Banda, meanwhile, continues to cement her status as one of Zambia’s leading football stars. Her goalscoring contribution at WAFCON was central to Zambia’s campaign and helped reinforce her reputation as one of the most dangerous forwards in women’s football.

The shortlist is dominated by established stars from Europe and other leading football nations, including Spain’s Alexia Putellas, Caroline Graham Hansen and Mariona Caldentey; England’s Alex Greenwood and Alessia Russo; France’s Wendie Renard and Melchie Dumornay; and Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema.

Jamaica’s Khadija Shaw is also among the nominees, giving the shortlist a strong representation from outside Europe, although Banda and Chawinga remain the only African players named.

Full List of 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or Nominees

Selma Bacha; Barbra Banda (Zambia); Klara Bühl; Esmee Brugts; Mariona Caldentey; Scarlett Camberos; Kerstin Casparij; Temwa Chawinga (Malawi); Cata Coll; Melchie Dumornay; Caroline Graham Hansen

Alex Greenwood; Patri Guijarro; Pernille Harder; Yui Hasegawa; Rose Lavelle; Mapi León; Lorena; Melvine Malard; Manaka Matsukubo; Vivianne Miedema; Ewa Pajor; Claudia Pina; Alexia Putellas; Wendie Renard; Alessia Russo; Khadija Shaw; Momoko Tanikawa; Caroline Weir; Tessa Wullaert

The final Ballon d’Or winner will be determined from the shortlisted players, with the award recognising the outstanding individual performance in women’s football over the assessment period.

For African football, the nominations of Banda and Chawinga represent a significant achievement and could further raise the profile of the continent’s players on the global stage.