Eight footballers have been nominated for the individual player honour, while six managers are in contention for the managerial prize.

Brighton midfielder Pascal Groß, who claimed September’s Player of the Month award, is absent from the latest shortlist, meaning a new winner will emerge. However, Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler has another opportunity to retain his managerial crown after guiding his side through another impressive month.

Premier League October Player of the Month Nominees

The eight players shortlisted for the October award are:

• Evanilson – Bournemouth
• Nicolas Jackson – Aston Villa
• Ezri Konsa – Arsenal
• Declan Rice – Arsenal
• Jack Rudoni – Coventry City
• Jan Paul van Hecke – Tottenham Hotspur
• Bart Verbruggen – Brighton & Hove Albion
• Luka Vušković – Brighton & Hove Albion

Owning October 💪

It’s time to vote for your @EASPORTSFC Player of the Month 👇
https://t.co/7fBNeUJafm https://t.co/bHU198Z5nu

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 5, 2026

Bournemouth forward Evanilson enjoyed a productive October, registering four goals and an assist in four appearances. His contributions proved important as the Cherries picked up victories against Sunderland, Manchester United and Leeds United.

Aston Villa’s Nicolas Jackson also finished the month with four goals. The former Chelsea striker played a key role in his team’s impressive 2-1 victory over Manchester City before finding the net in draws against Brentford and Fulham.

Arsenal have two representatives on the list, with Ezri Konsa and Declan Rice earning recognition for their contributions during an excellent month for the Gunners. Konsa has been particularly impressive in defence, helping the team record two clean sheets in three matches while also scoring his first goal for the club. Rice, on the other hand, made his presence felt in attack with two important assists.

Coventry City’s Jack Rudoni also makes the shortlist after producing three goals during October. His performances helped the newly promoted side secure two victories from four matches as they continued their efforts to move further away from the relegation battle.

Tottenham defender Jan Paul van Hecke is another nominee following his impressive displays at the back. The Dutchman helped Spurs enjoy an unbeaten month, contributing to important victories over Coventry, Chelsea, and Crystal Palace. His influence was also evident in possession, as he recorded the highest number of attempted and completed passes among players during the month.

Brighton completes the player nominations with two representatives in goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and defender Luka Vušković. The pair played their part in a strong defensive showing from the Seagulls, who managed three clean sheets across four October fixtures.

 

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Premier League October Manager of the Month Nominees

Six managers have been shortlisted for the October managerial award:

• Xabi Alonso – Chelsea
• Mikel Arteta – Arsenal
• Roberto De Zerbi – Tottenham Hotspur
• Unai Emery – Aston Villa
• Fabian Hürzeler – Brighton & Hove Albion
• Marco Rose – Bournemouth

Six nominees, one winner ☝️

Get voting now for the @Barclays Manager of the Month 👔

🔗: https://t.co/JKkXlInBHo https://t.co/sqsrTxoJHQ

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 5, 2026

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso makes the list after his team found the net nine times during October, more than any other Premier League side. Victories over Bournemouth, Everton and Manchester United helped maintain their momentum, despite a defeat against Tottenham.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is also among the contenders after guiding his side to three consecutive league victories against Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Everton. The results strengthened the Gunners’ position at the top of the table, with contributions from players coming off the bench proving decisive in several matches.

Roberto De Zerbi earned his nomination after overseeing an impressive turnaround at Tottenham. Three successive victories towards the end of the month, including an important result against Chelsea, helped restore confidence around the club.

Unai Emery also enjoyed a memorable October with Aston Villa. His side remained unbeaten throughout the month and recorded a significant 2-1 victory over Manchester City, bringing the champions’ perfect start to an end. His impressive work also reportedly attracted interest from Manchester United, while discussions over a new contract gathered attention.

Defending winner Fabian Hürzeler will be hoping to secure the award for a second consecutive month after another positive spell with Brighton. The Seagulls recorded impressive results, including a 1-0 away victory over Chelsea, adding to their strong performances against Manchester City.

Bournemouth manager Marco Rose completes the shortlist after overseeing his first three victories since taking charge of the club in the summer. His team responded positively following a heavy opening defeat to Chelsea in October, recording three consecutive clean sheets in the process.

With several standout performances and impressive managerial displays across the month, the race for both October awards promises to be competitive.

 

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Arsenal have been handed a welcome boost ahead of their upcoming fixtures, with defender William Saliba returning to full first-team training after spending close to four months recovering from a back injury.

The French centre-back has been unavailable since picking up the injury during France’s World Cup semi-final meeting with Spain in July 2026. His absence has left Mikel Arteta with the task of reshuffling his defensive options during the early stages of the campaign.

However, there is now renewed optimism at the Emirates following Saliba’s return to group training on Tuesday, November 3. The 25-year-old is said to have made encouraging progress during his rehabilitation, reaching the necessary recovery milestones to rejoin his teammates.

Despite the positive development, Arsenal are expected to take a cautious approach with his comeback, ensuring he does not rush back into competitive action before he is fully ready.

His return to training also comes just ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League fixture against Slavia Prague on Wednesday. While it remains unclear whether he will feature in the encounter, his progress suggests that a return to the matchday squad may not be too far away.

In his absence, summer signing Ezri Konsa has stepped up alongside Gabriel Magalhães, delivering impressive performances at the heart of Arsenal’s defence.

Konsa’s contribution has helped maintain stability at the back, but Saliba’s eventual return to full fitness could give Arteta an interesting selection headache as he looks to settle on his preferred defensive partnership.

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the list of nominees for the 2026 CAF Awards, with Nigeria securing representation in several women’s categories ahead of this year’s ceremony.

The latest shortlist features some of the continent’s standout performers over the past year, recognising their contributions to African football at both individual and national team levels.

Nigeria’s presence is particularly noticeable in the women’s nominations, with Super Falcons goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma making the Goalkeeper of the Year shortlist. Young Nigerian talents Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi have also been recognised in the Young Player of the Year category.

The Super Falcons, meanwhile, are among the teams competing for the Women’s National Team of the Year award this year, representing Nigeria on the continental stage.

When is the 2026 CAF Awards?

The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled bax December 7 in Lagos, Nigeria, where winners across the categories will be announced.

2026 CAF Women’s Awards: Full List of Nominees

Player of the Year (10 nominees)

• Marine Dafeur – Algeria
• Marie Ngah Manga – Cameroon
• Michaely Bihina – Cameroon
• Monique Ngock – Cameroon
• Portia Boakye – Ghana
• Tabitha Chawinga – Malawi
• Temwa Chawinga – Malawi
• Hanane Aït El Haj – Morocco
• Thembi Kgatlana – South Africa
• Barbra Banda – Zambia

Young Player of the Year (10 nominees)

• Romaine Gandonou – Benin
• Maëva Nyadjou – Cameroon
• Grace-Ruth Sery – Côte d’Ivoire
• N’Sira Ouédraogo – Côte d’Ivoire
• Rose Kadzere – Malawi
• Kautar Azraf – Morocco
• Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei – Nigeria
• Oluwakemi Adegbuyi – Nigeria
• Adji Ndiaye – Senegal
• Winfrida Gerald – Tanzania

Goalkeeper of the Year (10 nominees)

• Chloe N’Gazi – Algeria
• Michaely Bihina – Cameroon
• Cynthia Konlan – Ghana
• Mercy Sikelo – Malawi
• Fatoumata Karantao – Mali
• Khadija Er-Rmichi – Morocco
• Christiana Uzoma – Nigeria
• Adji Ndiaye – Senegal
• Kaylin Swart – South Africa
• Hazel Nali – Zambia

National Team of the Year (10 nominees)

• Algeria
• Cabo Verde
• Cameroon
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Ghana
• Malawi
• Mali
• Morocco
• Nigeria (Super Falcons)
• South Africa

With four Nigerian entries across the women’s categories, the country will have plenty to look forward to when the awards ceremony arrives in December. Attention will now turn to whether the Super Falcons and the nominated players can convert their recognition into silverware on home soil.

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The happy news was confirmed by Galatasaray through an official statement congratulating the couple on the arrival of their daughter.

“Our Football A Team player Victor Osimhen and Stefanie have welcomed a baby girl into the world,” the Turkish club announced.

The statement added: “We congratulate the couple Victor and Stefanie; we wish their newborn baby Liora Audrey a long, healthy, and happy life.”

The announcement marks a special moment for the Super Eagles striker, who continues to make headlines for his performances with Galatasaray.

Osimhen has established himself as a key figure in the Turkish club’s attack, further strengthening his reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading football exports. Away from the pitch, the arrival of Liora Audrey gives the striker and his partner another reason to celebrate.

🍼 Futbol A Takımı oyuncularımızdan Victor Osimhen ile Stefanie’nin bir kız çocuğu dünyaya geldi.

Victor ve Stefanie çiftini tebrik ediyor; yeni doğan bebekleri Liora Audrey’e uzun, sağlıklı ve mutlu bir ömür diliyoruz! 🧿 https://t.co/itdzTahinG

— Galatasaray SK (@GalatasaraySK) October 29, 2026

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The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony took place at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26, bringing together football’s biggest stars to celebrate their 2025/26 season performances.

The 70th edition of the prestigious event saw England captain Harry Kane claim the men’s Ballon d’Or, while Spain international Alexia Putellas took home the women’s prize. Other players, coaches, and clubs were also recognized, with Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka receiving the Sócrates Award for his charitable work and social impact.

• Harry Kane Wins Men’s Ballon d’Or

Harry Kane emerged as the night’s standout after an impressive campaign with Bayern Munich and England. The striker scored 61 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions for the German club, playing a major role in their domestic league and cup double.

His performances also extended to the international stage, where he reportedly scored six goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as England progressed to the semi-finals. The achievement marks a significant milestone in Kane’s career, with the England captain becoming the first Englishman to win the men’s Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001.

 

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• Alexia Putellas Claims Women’s Ballon d’Or

Alexia Putellas added another major honour to her collection by winning the women’s Ballon d’Or. The Spanish midfielder’s latest triumph reflects her continued influence in women’s football and her contributions at club and international level.

The victory also marks the third time Putellas has claimed the award, further strengthening her legacy among the sport’s most accomplished players.

 

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• Lamine Yamal and Vicky López Win Young Talent Awards

Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal continued his rapid rise by winning the men’s Young Talent of the Year award. The Spanish forward also finished third in the men’s Ballon d’Or voting, highlighting his growing status among the world’s elite players.

Barcelona teammate Vicky López took home the women’s Young Talent of the Year award, adding another achievement to the club’s successful night.

Full List of 2026 Ballon d’Or Winners

Here are the winners across the major categories at this year’s ceremony:

1. Men’s Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane
2. Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas
3. Men’s Young Talent of the Year: Lamine Yamal
4. Women’s Young Talent of the Year: Vicky López
5. Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Unai Simón
6. Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Cata Coll
7. Men’s Coach of the Year: Luis de la Fuente
8. Women’s Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu
9. Men’s Striker of the Year: Harry Kane
10. Women’s Striker of the Year: Charlyn Corral
11. Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain
12. Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona
13. Sócrates Award: Bukayo Saka

With several established stars and emerging talents recognised, the ceremony celebrated individual excellence and the teams and coaches who shaped the 2025/26 football season.

 

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The striker’s reported triumph comes after a season filled with goals, individual milestones, and silverware.

The award recognises Kane’s consistency and influence across the biggest competitions, further strengthening his reputation as one of the leading forwards in world football. His achievement would also place him among the select group of players to have claimed football’s most prestigious individual honour.

Kane’s numbers for the 2025/26 season tell the story of a prolific campaign. Across 65 appearances for Bayern Munich and England in all competitions, the striker recorded 73 goals and eight assists, according to the figures provided.

His contribution at club level was particularly impressive. Kane scored 61 goals and supplied seven assists in 51 appearances for Bayern, helping the German side secure three trophies: the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Franz Beckenbauer Supercup.

 

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The England captain also delivered on the international stage, scoring 12 goals and registering one assist for his country. His tally reportedly included six goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, adding to an already remarkable season.

Kane’s individual achievements extended beyond his goal contributions, as he also claimed the European Golden Shoe after finishing as Europe’s leading goalscorer. The accomplishment further underlined his remarkable finishing ability and consistency in front of goal.

Should the Ballon d’Or claim be confirmed, it would represent another defining moment in Kane’s career. After years of establishing himself among the game’s most reliable goalscorers, the striker would have another major honour to add to his collection as he looks to maintain his form and pursue further success with Bayern Munich and England.

 

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The Real Madrid forward reached the milestone in his side’s 4-1 win over RB Leipzig on October 21, bringing his goal tally for the Spanish giants to 25 since joining in 2024.

Before his move to Madrid, Mbappé scored 42 Champions League goals for Paris Saint-Germain, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most dangerous attackers. His latest achievement now places him in a unique position in the competition’s history.

According to UEFA statistics, the 27-year-old has scored 73 goals in 101 Champions League appearances, including six for Monaco, 42 for PSG and 25 for Real Madrid.

Since making his competition debut with Monaco in the 2016/17 season, Mbappé has consistently delivered on Europe’s biggest club stage. His latest milestone adds to an already impressive record as he continues to lead Madrid’s attack.

With more seasons ahead of him at the highest level, the French international will have further opportunities to increase his tally and pursue additional records in the Champions League.

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Journalist Dave Brooks reported that multiple sources indicated the Roc Nation founder had chosen himself for the performance, scheduled for February 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. However, neither the NFL nor Roc Nation had officially confirmed the reported development at the time of publication.

If confirmed, the appearance would mark Jay-Z’s first time headlining the Super Bowl halftime show, despite his longstanding involvement in shaping its entertainment lineup.

Through Roc Nation, Jay-Z has worked with the NFL since 2019, advising on musical performances while also supporting the league’s social justice initiatives. The partnership was renewed in 2024 for another five years, further cementing his influence over the event’s entertainment direction.

The report also revealed that pop stars Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber had been considered for the 2027 performance before Jay-Z reportedly emerged as the leading choice. An official announcement could reportedly coincide with his scheduled performances at SoFi Stadium on October 23 and 24.

Jay-Z’s reported selection would also add a new chapter to his family’s connection with the halftime show. His wife, Beyoncé, headlined the 2013 edition and later joined Coldplay onstage during the 2016 performance.

For now, fans will have to wait for official confirmation from the NFL or Roc Nation before the reported headline selection can be considered final.

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The star-studded list also features Alfredo Di Stéfano, Franz Beckenbauer, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten and Ronaldo Nazário, all recognised for their outstanding contributions to football through individual brilliance, major trophies, and lasting influence on the game.

Each nominee represents a different era of football. Cruyff helped shape modern football philosophy, while Ronaldo Nazário earned acclaim for his explosive attacking ability.

Messi’s consistency and playmaking excellence have defined an era, while Cristiano Ronaldo has built his legacy on remarkable goal-scoring records and sustained success at the highest level.

The announcement is expected to reignite conversations among football fans about who deserves recognition as the greatest player of all time. With each legend boasting a distinctive legacy, the debate will likely centre on individual achievements, team honours and their overall influence on the beautiful game.

 

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The result at the Parc des Princes brought Barcelona’s unbeaten start to the 2026/27 season to an end, leaving Flick with plenty to reflect on as his team prepares for its next challenge.

Speaking after the match, the German tactician pointed to his side’s mistakes and physical demands in recent weeks as factors that affected their performance.

“PSG showed that they are a better team than us. We lost this match, but we learned a lot from it. It’s not an excuse, but we have to understand that we made mistakes because we are not fresh. The effort that the team has had to do in the last couple of weeks has been unbelievable”.

Flick also highlighted PSG’s threat on the counter-attack and Barcelona’s fading energy towards the closing stages as key issues that contributed to the defeat. He stressed that the team must learn from the experience and address its shortcomings rather than dwell on the result.

Despite the setback, the Barcelona manager found positives in young defender Xavi Espart’s display. The youngster impressed on the European stage and scored his maiden Champions League goal, earning praise from Flick, who described his performance as fantastic.

Barcelona will now shift their focus to the upcoming El Clásico against Real Madrid, with Flick and his players looking to respond positively after suffering their first defeat of the season.

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has addressed the controversy surrounding the now-withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal while unveiling plans for a major increase in development funding for the organization’s 211 member associations.

The announcement followed a FIFA Council meeting at the organisation’s headquarters in Zurich, where the governing body confirmed that the FFE initiative would not be revived. The proposal had attracted criticism in recent months, prompting questions about FIFA’s plans for its financial reserves and how funds should be distributed.

Infantino acknowledged concerns over how the initiative had been handled and communicated, with the council also discussing the need for unity and greater support for football development worldwide.

The meeting also brought news of the proposed FIFA Surplus Solidarity Programme, which aims to increase funding for the 2027–2030 cycle following the expected commercial success of the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Under the proposal, FIFA’s total support package would rise to $6.35 billion, while allocations to each member association could reach $25 million. The plan is based on an estimated surplus of between $5.2 billion and $5.6 billion, with FIFA retaining $1.7 billion in reserves.

“As has been said many times since 2016, FIFA’s money, including its reserves, belongs to the 211 FIFA Member Associations, and the proposal to increase investment across all FIFA Member Associations, confederations and other stakeholders to USD 6.35 billion aims to reinforce our unwavering commitment to further supporting football development and access globally thanks to the outstanding financial result of the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino stated.

He added: “In ten years since I became FIFA President, we have gone from USD 1 million per FIFA Member Association to USD 25 million each – all across the world. At the same time, I would like to thank everyone who has made suggestions over the past few months on the distribution of FIFA’s funds to our 211 FIFA Member Associations as we need to look forward in a spirit of unity and in the best interests of football.”

FIFA also confirmed that a new working group, featuring representatives from across the confederations, would review the organization’s governance framework. Members were briefed by external lawyers on confidential legal proceedings in the United States connected to the FFE matter.

If approved, the new funding programme would support areas including women’s football, youth development, infrastructure and long-term projects. FIFA said further work was needed to finalise eligibility criteria, application procedures and disbursement rules, alongside measures to ensure accountability and proper auditing.

“We held discussions in relation to the FIFA Forward Enterprise project, where everyone had the opportunity to ask questions and express their views,” Infantino said.

The FIFA administration will now work with the relevant committees to prepare the programme’s full framework for presentation to the FIFA Council at its next meeting in December 2026.

Other matters discussed in Zurich included a review of the FIFA Peace Prize by the Football Social Responsibility Committee and a review of disciplinary procedures by the Legal Committee following Folarin Balogun’s suspended ban.

The proposed funding expansion and other major items are expected to be submitted for formal consideration at the 77th FIFA Congress in March 2027.

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Chelsea have confirmed that captain Reece James underwent successful minor knee surgery after sustaining an injury in training.

The England international missed the Blues’ 5-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth on Saturday, raising questions about his fitness. Following medical assessments, the club confirmed that the injury required surgical intervention.

In an official update, Chelsea revealed that James had successfully undergone the procedure and had already started his rehabilitation.

“Reece has already begun his road to recovery and will be supported by the club’s medical department at Cobham during this rehabilitation phase,” the club stated.

The Blues also wished their captain a speedy recovery, assuring him of the club’s support as he works towards returning to full fitness.

Chelsea have yet to disclose a specific timeline for James’ return to competitive action, with his progress expected to be monitored by the club’s medical team at their Cobham training centre.

The latest setback comes as another concern for the 26-year-old, who has struggled with recurring injuries in recent seasons. As captain and an important figure in the squad, his absence could be a blow for Chelsea as they look to maintain their momentum.

For now, the focus will be on James’ rehabilitation, with the club hoping he can make a full recovery before returning to action.

Chelsea Football Club has released the following update regarding Reece James.

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 16, 2026

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