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Arsenal make the shortlist after winning the Premier League, despite losing the Champions League final to PSG on penalties.
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PSG emerge as strong favourites after retaining both the Champions League and Ligue 1 titles during another dominant campaign.
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Bodo/Glimt provide the surprise inclusion, reaching the Champions League last 16 and recording notable wins over Manchester City, Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan.
September 08, (THEWILL) — Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodo/Glimt, Flamengo and Paris Saint-Germain have been nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Men’s Club of the Year award.
The shortlist brings together five clubs from different leagues and continents, with each nominee recognised for a standout 2025/26 campaign.
Arsenal’s inclusion comes after a memorable domestic season in which the Gunners were crowned Premier League champions. Mikel Arteta’s side, however, narrowly missed out on a European double after losing the Champions League final to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.
Here are our 2026 Men’s Club of the Year nominees!#ballondor pic.twitter.com/UIKAzfgy4H
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) September 8, 2026
PSG, meanwhile, have been nominated after maintaining their dominance both domestically and in Europe.
The French giants successfully defended their Champions League title and also retained the Ligue 1 crown, making them one of the strongest candidates for the award.
Bayern Munich Nominated After Dominant Bundesliga Campaign
Bayern Munich also made the five-club shortlist following an exceptional domestic campaign.
The German giants reportedly lost just one league match throughout the season, underlining their consistency in the Bundesliga.
Their European campaign ended in the Champions League semi-finals, where they were eliminated by PSG.
Despite falling short in Europe, Bayern’s domestic dominance was enough to earn recognition among the five nominees.
Bodo/Glimt Provide Surprise Inclusion
Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt are arguably the most unexpected name on the shortlist.
The club emerged as one of the surprise packages of the European season, reaching the last 16 of the Champions League after defeating several established European sides along the way.
Bodo/Glimt’s run included victories over Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan, results that helped put the Norwegian club firmly on the European football map.
Their nomination alongside some of the continent’s biggest clubs highlights just how impressive their campaign was.
Flamengo Represent South America
Brazilian giants Flamengo complete the shortlist.
The club won the 2025 Copa Libertadores, their third triumph in the competition in six years.
Flamengo were led by former Brazil international Filipe Luis, who also guided the club to their 40th Campeonato Carioca title.
Their success across domestic and continental competitions earned them a place among the five nominees.
The 2026 Men’s Club of the Year shortlist offers a mixture of established European giants, a surprise European contender and a South American powerhouse.
Arsenal’s case is built around their Premier League triumph, while PSG can point to another Champions League and Ligue 1 double. Bayern Munich’s remarkable domestic consistency strengthens their claim, while Bodo/Glimt’s historic European run gives them an underdog argument.
For Flamengo, their Copa Libertadores success and domestic achievement provide the foundation for their nomination.
The five nominees are:
- Arsenal — Premier League champions; Champions League runners-up
- Bayern Munich — Dominant Bundesliga campaign; Champions League semi-finalists
- Bodo/Glimt — Reached the Champions League last 16 and defeated several European heavyweights
- Flamengo — 2025 Copa Libertadores winners and Campeonato Carioca champions
- Paris Saint-Germain — Retained the Champions League and Ligue 1
The winner will be decided as part of the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards, with the club prize adding another layer of competition to an already closely watched ceremony.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
