Selection Process for the 2026 TIME100 Revealed

(SeaPRwire) –   In July 1969, TIME ran an in-depth story on “la causa,” the protest movement sparked by Mexican American farmworkers in California. The cover showcased the movement’s leader, Cesar Chavez, while the article inside referred to a “tiny, tough assistant” called Dolores Huerta. We recently witnessed Huerta’s toughness once more when she stepped forward with other women to allege they were sexually assaulted by Chavez, a celebrated figure on the American left. “I have kept this secret long enough. My silence ends here,” stated Huerta, a staunch defender of women and workers. Now, fifty-seven years after her initial mention in this magazine, Huerta is a member of the 2026 TIME100, our annual list of the planet’s most influential individuals.

We deliberate all year over who merits a place on the TIME100. Influence cannot be pinned down by one single measure. Our choices are guided by the narratives defining the world annually and the individuals driving them. Some selectees are widely recognized, while others are known chiefly within their own domains. To identify them, we consult our global network of editors, reporters, and contacts, and we assess the nominations we receive daily. We expect few will know all 100 people on the list. We consider that part of the list’s enduring appeal, now deep into its third decade. Recently, we have concentrated on expanding the TIME100 community by highlighting sectors we see shaping tomorrow—such as AI, Climate, Health, and Philanthropy, alongside emerging arenas where figures like digital creators exert a disproportionate impact.

For the three years since I assumed the editor role, we have worked to unite this community worldwide, an effort we will continue with the upcoming TIME100 Summit and TIME100 Gala in New York City. Following that, in June, we will unveil the first-ever TIME100 Sports list. This year has been heavily influenced by two major global competitions, the Olympics and the World Cup, highlighting how the sports industry and its leaders are transforming culture in remarkable new ways.

This development stems from understanding that influence manifests in countless ways, as reflected in the 2026 TIME100: a character created by novelist Tayari Jones; a dish crafted by chef Vikas Khanna; an instant frozen by photographer Lynsey Addario, whose images have graced TIME’s pages since the war in Afghanistan. We draw inspiration from the athletic feats of Olympians on this year’s list, such as Alysa Liu, Hilary Knight, and Chloe Kim, just as we do from the brilliance of physicians like Kiran Musunuru and Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas. As we frequently note, influence knows no age limit. The roster includes both the 96-year-old Huerta and 35-year-old Balendra Shah, who became Nepal’s Prime Minister after youth-led protests in his country.

One year ago, we were beginning to gauge the implications of Donald Trump’s return to Washington for the U.S. and the world. As we stated on a cover last autumn, we are still very much living in Trump’s world. At this moment of writing, the conflict in Iran is nearing its 40th day, and this year’s list incorporates four officials from his Administration, including those handling foreign policy. It also features several Democrats who have gained authority or visibility by opposing the President and his agenda. International leaders on the 2026 TIME100, like Canada’s Mark Carney and Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, have boosted their domestic standing by challenging Trump over the past year.

This year’s TIME100 covers highlight comedian Nikki Glaser, actors Zoe Saldaña and Wagner Moura, and singer Luke Combs, all of whom made a cultural impact this year. They were photographed by Mark Seliger, who also captured our TIME100 covers in 2013. The TIME100 list and related events are spearheaded by Dan Macsai, with Cate Matthews, Kara Simonetti, Kelly Conniff, and colleagues throughout TIME. As we finalize this year’s list and reflect on the vast changes since the “tough” Dolores Huerta first appeared in TIME, we look ahead to see which figures in this edition will still hold sway more than half a century from now.

See the full TIME100 list here