Temwa Chawinga is back in the Ballon d’Or race, with the Malawi Women’s Football team forward earning a second straight nomination for the prestigious award.
Chawinga is the only Malawian on the 2026 shortlist, putting the country’s footballing talent on the global stage once again.
Her latest nomination follows a standout year in which she helped the Scorchers make history by qualifying for their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Apart from that, Chawinga helped Scorchers reach the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco where they finished as runners up.
The forward also finished among the tournament’s leading scorers, finding the net five times during Malawi’s memorable campaign.
Last year, Chawinga made her Ballon d’Or debut and finished 17th in the world.
The 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on October 26, 2026, in London, England.
