France Football, the organisers of the prestigious Ballon d'Or, have published the voting breakdown showing how journalists from eligible African countries distributed their first-place ballots among top contenders Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, and Lamine Yamal. The disclosure follows the recent gala held in London, where Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane edged out his rivals to claim the 2026 Ballon d'Or.
Which African countries supported Harry Kane?
Only four African nations threw their weight behind the English forward, choosing him for the ultimate individual prize. Senegal, Angola, South Africa, and Uganda were the exclusive countries on the continent to select Kane as their number-one choice during the voting process.
How did Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal fare across the continent?
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe enjoyed broader backing across Africa compared to his fellow nominees, securing first-place votes from a total of nine countries. The nations that supported the France captain included Benin, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, DR Congo, and Zambia.
Meanwhile, Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal also gathered notable support from the region. Yamal received top votes from four African territories: Cape Verde, Burkina Faso, Algeria, and Tunisia.
Who did Nigeria vote for in the 2026 Ballon d'Or?
Interestingly, none of the three primary podium contenders received a single first-place vote from Nigeria. Instead, the Nigerian ballot went to Spanish midfielder Rodri of Barcelona, reflecting the diverse perspectives of voters regarding football excellence for the year.
The voting transparency provided by the publication highlights the distinct preferences of African sports journalists participating in the selection of world football's most coveted individual accolade.