The 2026 Ballon d’Or winner remains a secret as France Football uses traps and strict confidentiality to keep the identity hidden.
Ballon d’Or secrecy measures
As the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony nears, France Football is implementing strict measures to keep the identity of the winner a secret, following the success of Ousmane Dembélé. The organization aims to maintain suspense until the official announcement in London.Limited knowledge of the winner
Only a very small number of people know who the next Ballon d’Or winner is, according to Vincent Garcia, editor-in-chief of France Football. He estimates that the number of people who know the identity can be counted on one hand, emphasizing the importance of keeping the information confidential.Secure voting process
To prevent leaks, the voting process has become more secure over the years. France Football no longer uses email or WhatsApp to send votes, instead relying on a technical system that has proven effective in maintaining secrecy.Pre-ceremony communication challenges
Despite the efforts to keep the winner’s identity secret, the organization must communicate with various stakeholders in football, including players, clubs, and agents. These interactions can complicate the task of maintaining the secrecy of the winner’s identity.Abandoning pre-announcement tradition
The practice of informing the winner before the ceremony was discontinued to enhance confidentiality and simplify the preparation of a special magazine dedicated to the winner. This change reflects the growing difficulty of keeping the secret if the winner is known in advance.Multiple sources of potential leaks
The risk of leaks extends beyond the winner themselves. Family members, clubs, agents, and even unexpected individuals like a player’s hairdresser could inadvertently reveal the identity of the winner. This makes the task of maintaining secrecy even more complex.Creating false information
To prevent leaks and manage speculation, France Football uses tactics such as spreading fake train schedules and rankings. These measures help to confuse the public and prevent the true winner from being identified before the official announcement.
