European Football · Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Does the third-place match count for the Ballon d'Or?
At the 2026 World Cup, goal scorers will need to clarify whether their goals in the placement match will affect the ranking of top scorers.
By Editorial team
Before the 2026 World Cup, a historical question resurfaces: do goals scored in the third-place match influence the Ballon d'Or ranking? FIFA has never established a uniform rule on this matter. Some goal scorers have seen their goals counted, others have not, depending on the editions. With sixteen additional teams at the 2026 World Cup, clarity becomes essential for the official scoring system.