The big question: will Club World Cup count for Ballon d’Or? The short answer: yes — the 2025 edition confirms it does. France Football has set the Ballon d’Or period so that performances in the FIFA Club World Cup fall within the eligibility window, meaning that what happens in that tournament can play a role in deciding the winner. In what follows, 2hanBall will break down exactly how, why, and how much it matters — the rules, the debates, and what this means for star players trying to clinch that golden ball.
What the Ballon d’Or rules say about the evaluation period
To understand whether the Club World Cup counts, you have to know the timeframe and criteria that France Football uses for voting.
- The 2025 Ballon d’Or covers player performances in the 2024–25 season, with the evaluation period running from August 1, 2024, through July 13, 2025, which corresponds with the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
- Thus, any matches, goals, standout moments, or team achievements in the 2025 Club World Cup are included in that season’s evaluation period.
- Beyond timing, the criteria for the Ballon d’Or include:
- Individual performance (how decisive or impressive a player is)
- Collective success (titles, team achievements)
- Sportsmanship / class / fair play
So because the Club World Cup is both a high-stakes international-club tournament and it falls within this season’s window, it does count under those collective success and performance criteria.
How big an impact does the Club World Cup really have?
Even though it does count, its impact is nuanced. Not every match or title weighs the same in the eyes of Ballon d’Or voters.
What helps:
- Winning the tournament: Lifting a trophy — especially a global club trophy — shows your club achieved something significant. It strengthens a player’s credentials for “collective success.”
- Standout individual performance: If a player is decisive — scoring goals, providing assists, making game-changing plays — that raises their profile. A strong performance in the final or knockout stages often gets more attention.
- Global exposure: The Club World Cup draws international audience and scrutiny. Big moments there are memorable and can sway voters who look at overall influence.
- Timing: Since the tournament finishes just before the voting period ends, it’s fresh in the minds of voters. A last surge can tip the balance in tight races.
What limits the impact:
- Relatively fewer matches: Compared to a full domestic league or Champions League campaign, there are fewer games. So there’s less room to build up consistently over time.
- Competition importance: Some voters may still rank Champions League, domestic leagues, or international tournaments (World Cup / Euros) higher than the Club World Cup, depending on tradition and prestige.
- Team success required: If your club loses early or underwhelms, even a good individual showing may not be enough. Voters often favour those who win or go deep.
- Comparison with others: If rivals have won multiple big trophies (league, continental, etc.), the marginal gain.
Evidence, here’s what 2hanBall observed from the 2024–25 season:
- The 2025 Ballon d’Or’s eligibility window explicitly includes the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which wraps up on July 13, 2025.
- Several top contenders have used Club World Cup performances to strengthen their cases:
- Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha, which helped even though PSG were runners-up.
- Cole Palmer of Chelsea, who won the final, boosted his visibility and credentials with that performance.
- Vote projections and ranking updates reflect shifts after the Club World Cup. Players who underperformed saw drops; those who impressed gained traction.
Why some still debate whether it should count
Not everyone agrees that the Club World Cup deserves the same weight as more traditional tournaments.
- Some argue the Club World Cup’s prestige is still catching up. Eventh an expanded format in 2025, it doesn’t yet match the long history or viewership of the Champions League or major international tournaments.
- Others believe Ballon d’Or sometimes overemphasizes “trophy count,” which can benefit players in strong teams over those with incredible individual performance but fewer silverwares. The Club World Cup adds another trophy, but whether that shifts the balance depends on the rest of the résumé.
- Also, player fatigue, travel, squad rotation in those tournaments can affect how top players perform, making it riskier to rely on it solely for a Ballon d’Or push.
What this means for players chasing the Ballon d’Or
If you’re a player with ambitions for the Ballon d’Or, here’s what counting the Club World Cup means in practice:
- Treat the tournament as part of the portfolio: Prepare, perform, and aim to win. Being excellent there adds to your narrative.
- Use standout moments in the knockout stages or final as “high leverage” moments. These are more memorable.
- Consider rest and fitness: Because the tournament comes at the end of a long season, being physically ready matters. A poor showing.
- Balance your achievements: Even with the Club World Cup adding value, your performance in the league, Champions League / continental competition, and international tournaments will likely still carry heavy weight. The Club World Cup can be the final push rather than the foundation.
Conclusion
Will Club World Cup Count For Ballon d’Or? The answer is clear: for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, it does count — performances, titles, moments in the Club World Cup are part of the season’s scoring window.
2hanBall encourages you to follow those late-season matches with extra attention — they could make or break a Ballon d’Or dream. Want to dive deeper? Check out which players’ stats improved or declined after the Club World Cup, and how they’re shaping the betting odds or expert predictions. Stay tuned — the golden ball race is heating up!
