FIFPRO Names 26 Nominees for World XI
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane are among the players shortlisted for the 2026 FIFPRO Men's World XI, chosen by professional footballers.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Soccer
FIFPRO has announced 26 nominees for the 2026 FIFPRO Men's World XI, with the shortlist decided by professional footballers from around the world. Among the nominees are Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal.
Why it matters
The FIFPRO World XI is voted for exclusively by professional players, making it a peer-based recognition of performance across the eligible period. The shortlist offers a snapshot of which attackers, defenders, midfielders and goalkeepers are currently regarded highly by those who compete at the top level.
The shortlist was drawn from a vote involving 19,806 professional players, a sample that reflects the peer-based nature of the award. The final XI has not yet been named, and the extraction does not specify the final selection timetable.
The players
FIFPRO
FIFPRO is the global representative body of professional footballers' associations, which organises the World XI vote among players.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is an Argentine forward widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese forward who has been among the most prolific goalscorers in international and club football.
Harry Kane
Harry Kane is an English striker known for his goalscoring record at club and international level.
Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe is a French forward recognised as one of the most prominent attackers of his generation.
The details
The 26 nominees span attack, midfield, defence and goalkeeping, including Gabriel, William Saliba, Pau Cubarsi, Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Pedri, Declan Rice, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Emiliano Martinez and David Raya. Rodri, Thibaut Courtois and Virgil van Dijk also feature on the shortlist.
Timeline
2 November 2026: FIFPRO announced the 26 nominees for the 2026 FIFPRO Men's World XI.
Season Trajectory
The FIFPRO World XI remains one of the few major football honours decided entirely by the players themselves rather than journalists or fans. The 2026 shortlist continues that tradition, placing the sport's leading players alongside one another in a peer-driven ranking.
The final FIFPRO Men's World XI will be selected from these 26 nominees, and fantasy and awards watchers can track which shortlisted players accumulate the strongest peer support. The shortlist covers a wide range of positions, so the eventual team will reflect contributions from attack, midfield, defence and goal.
The takeaway
Recognition from fellow professionals carries weight, and the 26 nominees show the breadth of talent across the modern game. Readers following the sport can use the shortlist as a guide to the players peers consider the strongest right now.
Further reading
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