Ballon d’Or 2026: Thierry Henry and Kate Scott, the CBS duo, will host the ceremony in London

Thierry Henry is changing stage: the 1998 world champion will be master of ceremonies at the Ballon d’Or 2026, alongside Kate Scott, his partner on CBS Sports’ Champions League nights. The organisation confirmed the pairing on Monday 19 October, a week before the ceremony at the London Palladium in London on Monday 26 October. It is a first for the Frenchman.

Henry succeeds Didier Drogba and Ruud Gullit, according to RMC Sport. Kate Scott knows the job already: the Briton hosted the 2025 ceremony alongside Gullit, and the organisation has kept her for a second straight year. On social media, the ceremony said it was “already looking forward to seeing them share the stage next Monday in London”.

A London homecoming for Henry

The city is no accident for the former France striker, who shone there in an Arsenal shirt. In the ceremony’s press release, he made no secret of it: “London is my home. I have a deep connection with this city, its football culture and its passionate fans. Hosting the ceremony here alongside my colleague and friend Kate is therefore an obvious step.” The evening, he promised, “will be exceptional and will celebrate the greatest talents in football”.

Who succeeds Dembélé?

The ceremony starts at 9pm French time. A week out, the only certainty is the name of the duo holding the microphone: who succeeds Ousmane Dembélé in the roll of honour remains the suspense that Foot Mercato considers total.