French magazine France Football has announced the nominees for the 2026 Best Team award as part of the Ballon d’Or ceremony, with several major surprises, most notably the absence of Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona from the men’s category despite their historic status and regular presence in major competitions. ⚽🏆🔥
The nominations include clubs that produced strong performances during the previous season at domestic, continental and international levels, while the women’s category also features several major clubs from Europe and the Americas.
Five Clubs Compete for the Men’s Best Team Award
The men’s shortlist contains five clubs:
Arsenal – England.
Bayern Munich – Germany.
Bodo/Glimt – Norway.
Flamengo – Brazil.
Paris Saint-Germain – France.
These nominations follow a season featuring major competition across domestic and continental tournaments.
Real Madrid and Barcelona Missing
The absence of Real Madrid and Barcelona from the men’s shortlist is one of the biggest surprises of this year’s Ballon d’Or nominations.
Both clubs have long histories of competing for the biggest individual and team awards in world football.
However, the 2026 shortlist features five other clubs that produced strong campaigns according to the selection criteria.
Paris Saint-Germain Remain in the Spotlight
Paris Saint-Germain are among the nominees after another impressive campaign on the European stage.
Their nomination reflects the results and achievements they produced throughout the season, keeping them among the leading candidates for the prestigious award.
Arsenal Enter Strongly
Arsenal earned a place on the shortlist after a strong season under manager Mikel Arteta.
The London club produced impressive performances domestically and in Europe, earning the opportunity to compete for the Best Team award.
Bayern Munich Featured in Both Categories
Bayern Munich are not only included in the men’s list but also appear among the nominees for the women’s Best Team award.
Their presence reflects the strength of the German club across both men’s and women’s football.
Bodo/Glimt Provide a Major Surprise
Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt are among the most eye-catching names on the shortlist after producing an impressive season and competing strongly against major European clubs.
Their inclusion gives the award a more diverse field alongside clubs with much greater historical and financial resources.
Flamengo Represent South America
The men’s competition also features South American representation through Brazilian giants Flamengo.
The club earned its nomination following a successful season and major results and now have an opportunity to compete with Europe’s leading clubs.
Bayern Munich in the Women’s List
Bayern Munich also appear among the nominees for the Women’s Best Team award.
This makes the German club one of the most prominent institutions represented across both categories.
Barcelona Featured in the Women’s Category
Although Barcelona are absent from the men’s shortlist, the Catalan club remain among the leading nominees in the women’s category.
This gives Barcelona continued presence in the Ballon d’Or awards through their women’s team.
Women’s Best Team Shortlist
The women’s nominees are:
Barcelona – Spain.
Bayern Munich – Germany.
Club América – Mexico.
Manchester City – England.
Olympique Lyonnais – France.
The list features several of the strongest clubs in women’s football alongside Club América representing Mexico.
Manchester City Continue Their Global Presence
Manchester City are included among the women’s nominees, underlining the strength of the club’s women’s football project.
Their presence gives the English club another opportunity to compete for international recognition.
Olympique Lyonnais Included
Olympique Lyonnais remain among the leading candidates in the women’s category, supported by the club’s strong history and achievements in women’s football.
The French side remain one of the most recognized names whenever the best women’s teams are discussed.
Club América Complete the List
Club América are another notable name in the women’s shortlist after entering the competition alongside several leading European clubs.
Their nomination gives the award a wider global dimension beyond Europe.
Ballon d’Or Race Intensifies
The Best Team award comes as part of the highly anticipated 2026 Ballon d’Or awards, following a season filled with major domestic and continental events.
The competition becomes even more significant given the major tournaments staged during the 2026 football calendar, including the 2026 World Cup.
Major Surprises in the 2026 Nominations
The absence of Real Madrid and Barcelona from the men’s race is arguably the biggest headline, while the inclusion of Bodo/Glimt and Flamengo adds an unexpected element.
These surprises make the competition more open, with each nominee bringing a different story and set of achievements.
PSG, Arsenal and Bayern Lead the Attention
Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Bayern Munich are likely to attract major attention during the race.
However, Bodo/Glimt and Flamengo provide an unpredictable factor and make the outcome more difficult to forecast.
Barcelona Remain Present Through the Women’s Team
Despite their absence from the men’s shortlist, Barcelona remain involved in the Best Team race through their women’s side.
The Catalan club therefore still have a strong presence among the Ballon d’Or nominations.
Award Reflects Club Performance
The Best Team nominations reflect what clubs achieved over an entire season, including their results and performances across different competitions.
Winning the award therefore represents recognition not only for the players and coaching staff but for the entire sporting organization.
Who Will Win the Men’s Award?
The men’s competition is between Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodo/Glimt, Flamengo and Paris Saint-Germain.
The major question is which club produced the strongest and most influential season.
Who Will Win the Women’s Award?
In the women’s category, the battle is between Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Club América, Manchester City and Olympique Lyonnais.
The competition remains wide open among clubs with major histories and achievements in women’s football.
✨ France Football have opened an exciting Best Team race at the 2026 Ballon d’Or with five men’s nominees, while Real Madrid and Barcelona are absent from the men’s shortlist and Barcelona and Bayern Munich feature in the women’s category. ⚽🏆🔥
📢 Who deserves the 2026 Men’s Best Team award most: Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal or Bayern Munich?
