Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga are among the 30 players nominated for the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or.
Zambia captain Barbra Banda and Malawi forward Temwa Chawinga have been named among the 30 nominees for the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or, giving Africa two representatives in the race for one of football’s biggest individual honors.
The nominations continue the rise of both forwards in global women’s football and underline Africa’s growing presence among the sport’s elite players.
Barbra Banda Earns Another Ballon d’Or Nomination
Banda has strengthened her reputation as one of women’s football’s most dangerous forwards through her performances for Orlando Pride and the Zambia national team.
The Zambia captain made Ballon d’Or history in 2024 when she finished 12th, the highest position achieved by an African woman in the award’s rankings.
She followed that achievement with a 14th-place finish in 2025 and now returns to the shortlist for another opportunity to challenge the world’s leading players.
Temwa Chawinga Returns to Women’s Ballon d’Or Shortlist
Malawi star Chawinga has earned a place among the nominees for a second consecutive year after another prolific campaign with Kansas City Current.
The forward has established herself among the NWSL’s leading goalscorers while remaining a central figure for Malawi at international level.
Chawinga’s profile grew further during the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where Malawi made history by reaching the final on their tournament debut.
African Women’s Football Gains Global Recognition
Having both Banda and Chawinga among the 30 nominees represents another milestone for African women’s football, which continues to produce players competing at the highest levels of the global game.
Their inclusion also gives Zambia and Malawi representation on one of women’s football’s most prominent individual award shortlists.
Banda and Chawinga will compete against 28 other nominees for the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or.
The winner will be announced at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on October 26, with both African stars seeking to add another historic achievement to the continent’s growing presence in world football.
