Slug: arsenal-ballon-dor-club-of-the-year-nomination-2026
Arsenal’s stunning return to the top of English football has earned them another major recognition.
The Gunners have been nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Club of the Year award after finally ending their 22-year wait for the Premier League title.
Mikel Arteta’s side delivered a historic campaign to reclaim the English crown, and their achievements have now placed them among five clubs competing for one of the most prestigious team honours at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
The nomination puts Arsenal in elite company.
Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Bodo/Glimt and Flamengo have also made the final shortlist, setting up a fascinating battle between clubs that enjoyed remarkable success in different competitions last season.
PSG arguably have the strongest European résumé on the list.
The French giants defeated Arsenal in the Champions League final in May and completed back-to-back triumphs in Europe’s premier club competition. They also secured another Ligue 1 title, making it their fifth consecutive league championship.
Bayern Munich also enjoyed a highly successful campaign, securing a domestic double and reinforcing their status as one of Europe’s most consistent powerhouses.
But perhaps the biggest surprise on the shortlist is Bodo/Glimt.
The Norwegian club produced one of the Champions League’s biggest shocks last season by eliminating three-time winners Inter Milan and advancing to the last 16.
Their European adventure eventually came to an end against Sporting, but their stunning run was enough to put them firmly in the conversation for the Club of the Year prize.
Flamengo are the only club outside Europe to make the shortlist.
The Brazilian giants enjoyed a spectacular campaign of their own, winning the domestic championship before adding the Copa Libertadores to their trophy haul.
For Arsenal, however, the nomination is another marker of just how far Arteta’s project has come.
The Gunners have spent years rebuilding themselves into genuine contenders, and finally lifting the Premier League trophy after more than two decades made last season a defining moment for the club.
Now they have the opportunity to add another prestigious honour to that achievement.
The Club of the Year award is not simply about one trophy. It recognises the clubs that have made the biggest impact across an entire campaign, making Arsenal’s inclusion alongside Champions League winners, domestic double winners and continental champions particularly significant.
There is also an intriguing twist to the shortlist.
Arsenal’s strongest European rival for the award is the very club that ended their Champions League dream.
PSG’s victory in the final denied Arteta’s team European glory, but Arsenal’s domestic triumph ensured their season still ended with silverware and a place among the world’s elite clubs.
The winner will be revealed at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on October 26.
Arsenal will arrive with a compelling case: after 22 years of waiting, the Premier League trophy is finally back in north London.
Now the Gunners are chasing another piece of recognition on the biggest stage.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
