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Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane headline the 26-man shortlist for the 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World XI, joining some of the biggest names in world football.
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A total of 19,806 professional footballers from across the world participated in the selection process, with players given the exclusive responsibility of voting for their colleagues based on their performances across different positions.
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The 26-man shortlist features an impressive collection of football superstars from Europe’s biggest clubs, including Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal, Virgil van Dijk, Bruno Fernandes and Rodri.
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The final 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World XI will be announced on November 9, with the team comprising one goalkeeper, three defenders.
November 2, (THEWILL) – Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane have been nominated for the 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World 11 on Monday.
The organisers announced a 26-man shortlist for the XI on their social media account.
The FIFPRO World XI is voted exclusively by professional players, who select the team based on the performances of their colleagues.
A total of 19,806 players participated in the selection process, which recognises outstanding individual performances during the eligible period, while the women’s category was voted by 6,511 professional women’s footballers worldwide.
The final World11 will be announced on November 9 and will be made up of one goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders, three forwards, plus one extra outfield player with the most votes.
How does the voting process for FIFPRO work?
FIFPRO and its affiliated player unions distribute unique links that give professional footballers around the world access to a digital voting platform.
Last year, more than 26,000 professional footballers from 70 countries voted for their World 11.
Players select the three footballers who, in their opinion, have performed most outstandingly in each of the following positions: goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward.
The goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards who receive the most votes in their respective positions are selected for the World 11.
The final place is awarded to the remaining outfield player with the highest number of votes.
For the FIFPRO Men’s World 11, players are judged on their performances from 4 August 2025 to 19 July 2026 inclusive.
To be eligible, players must have made at least 30 official appearances at domestic top-flight or senior international level during that period.
FIFPRO, is the worldwide representative organisation for 70,000 professional footballers.
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Here is the full 2026 shortlist:
GOALKEEPERS
Thibaut Courtois – Real Madrid
Emiliano Martinez – Aston Villa
David Raya – Arsenal
DEFENDERS
Pau Cubarsi – Barcelona
Marc Cucurella – Chelsea
Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool
Gabriel Magalhães – Arsenal
Achraf Hakimi – PSG
Nuno Mendes – PSG
William Saliba – Arsenal
Dayot Upamecano – Bayern Munich
MIDFIELDERS
Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid
Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United
Enzo Fernandez – Chelsea
Pedri – Barcelona
Declan Rice – Arsenal
Rodri – Manchester City
Vitinha – PSG
FORWARDS
Erling Haaland – Manchester City
Harry Kane – Bayern Munich
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – PSG
Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid
Lionel Messi – Inter Miami
Michael Olise – Bayern Munich
Cristiano Ronaldo – Al Nassr
Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
