Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda received her third consecutive nomination for the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or, France Football announced Sept. 8. Banda is one of four active NWSL players nominated for the award, while Orlando Pride is one of three NWSL clubs with a current player on the shortlist.
“We are incredibly proud to see Barbra recognized with her third Women’s Ballon d’Or nomination,” said Caitlin Carducci, Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations & General Manager. “This honor reflects the impact she continues to have for both club and country and is a testament to the consistency, dedication and elite level she brings to the game every day. To be recognized among the world’s best players for a third time is a tremendous achievement, and we’re thrilled to see her receive this well-deserved acknowledgment.”
Banda Sets Orlando Pride Scoring Record
Banda has scored a single-season club-record 14 goals and added three assists across all competitions for Orlando Pride in 2026. Her 14 goals surpassed the previous club record of 13, set by Marta in 2017 and matched by Banda during Orlando’s championship-winning 2024 season. Banda currently leads Orlando Pride in goals and is tied for the team lead in assists.
Banda also captained Zambia at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and finished as her nation’s leading scorer with five goals and one assist in three matches. In Zambia’s 6-0 victory over Egypt, she scored four goals, provided an assist and won a penalty that led to another goal. Banda became the first player in Women’s Africa Cup of Nations history to be directly involved in six goals in one match, while her four-goal performance tied the tournament record and made her the third player in tournament history to accomplish the feat.
Banda Earns Third Consecutive Nomination
Banda first received Ballon d’Or recognition in 2024 after leading Orlando Pride with 13 regular-season goals and scoring in each of the club’s three playoff matches, including the game-winning goal in the NWSL Championship. She was named NWSL Championship MVP, earned 2024 NWSL Best XI First Team honors and was selected to the FIFPRO Women’s World 11. Banda also became the first African player named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.
Banda received her second consecutive Ballon d’Or nomination in 2025 after recording eight goals and one assist in 15 appearances. The 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or winners will be announced during a ceremony in London on Oct. 26. Orlando Pride will travel to CPKC Stadium to play Kansas City Current at 8 p.m. ET on Sept. 11, with the match available on Prime Video.
Source: Original report