New Ballon d’Or voting system favours Nigeria, 21 other African countries

France Football, the organizers of the Ballon d’Or, have introduced a significant change to the award’s voting process. Only countries ranked within the top 100 of the FIFA World Rankings are now eligible to vote for the world’s best footballers.

This update notably expands Africa’s role in the selection process, as 22 African nations currently ranked in the top 100 will now have voting rights.

These countries include Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Tunisia, Cameroon, Mali, South Africa, DR Congo, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ghana, Gabon, Guinea, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Benin Republic, and Mozambique.

The move reflects Africa’s growing influence in global football, recognizing the continent’s rising standards and deep talent pool.

African players have increasingly become pivotal figures in major European clubs and international tournaments, justifying their greater involvement in decisions like the Ballon d’Or.

By limiting voting eligibility to top-ranked countries, France Football aims to ensure a more balanced and competitive selection process. The change also puts the spotlight on Africa’s enhanced voice in the upcoming Ballon d’Or race, with Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah among the key contenders.