World Cup-winning Vozinia recognized, 10 in the running for best goalkeeper: Ballon d'Or 2026 nominations

The nominations for the 2026 Ballon d'Or have been announced. After the best club and best coach, the shortlist for the best goalkeeper in the men's and women's categories has been released.

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vojinia, who came into the spotlight after his excellent performance at the World Cup, has been included in the men's best goalkeeper competition. He is joined by several established star goalkeepers in the world of football on the list of 10.

However, last year's winner Gianluigi Donnarumma was not nominated this time, as a surprise.

Men's Best Goalkeeper Nominations

The 10 goalkeepers nominated are—

Yassin Bounou (Al Hilal/Morocco)

Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid/Belgium)

Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund/Switzerland)

Juan Garcia (Barcelona/Spain)

Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa and Chelsea/Argentina)

Edouard Mendy (Al Ahly/Senegal)

David Raya (Arsenal/Spain)

Matevey Safonov (PSG/Russia)

Unai Simeone (Athletic Bilbao/Spain)

Vozinia (GD Chaves/Colo-Colo/Cape Verde)

The two goalkeepers from Spain's World Cup-winning team, Unai Simeone and David Raya, have made it to the list. Raya has been recognized for playing a key role in Arsenal's Premier League win after a great season.

In addition, experienced goalkeepers such as Argentina's Emiliano Martinez, Morocco's Yacine Bounou and Belgium's Thibaut Courtois are also in the running for the best.

Five goalkeepers in the women's category too

There are five people on the shortlist for the best goalkeeper in the women's category. Last year's winner, England's Hannah Hampton, has retained her place this time too.

The goalkeepers nominated are—

Anne-Katrina Berger (Gotham FC/Germany)
Kata Cole (Barcelona/Spain)
Hannah Hampton (Chelsea/England)
Lorena (Kansas City/Brazil)
Ayaka Yamashita (Manchester City/Japan)
Arteta-Enrique in the running for Johan Cruyff Trophy

The list of nominees for the Johan Cruyff Trophy for the best coach has also been released. A total of 10 coaches have been named in the men's and women's categories, with five in each category.

The men's category includes Arsenal's Mikel Arteta, PSG's Luis Enrique and Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente.

Men's coach
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Luis de la Fuente (Spain)
Unai Emery (Aston Villa)
Vincent Kompany (Bayern Munich)
Luis Enrique (PSG)
Women's coach
Jonathan Giraldez (Lyon)
Andre Yglerts (Manchester City)
Nilon Nielsen (Japan)
Pere Romeu (Barcelona)
Yelena Sadiku (Celtic and BK Hakkinen)
Surprises in the list of the best clubs

The list of the best clubs in the men's and women's categories was revealed at the beginning of the announcement of the Ballon d'Or nominations.

Men's Clubs
Arsenal
Bayern Munich
Bodo/Gliwice
Flamengo
PSG
Women's Clubs
Barcelona
Bayern Munich
Club America
Manchester City
Olympique Lyon
All in all, there is a big battle of stars in the various categories of the 2026 Ballon d'Or. However, the biggest discussion has been the inclusion of World Cup winner Vozinia in the list of the best goalkeepers and the exclusion of last year's winner Donnarumma.