Football icons Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Harry Kane have secured their places among the 26 players shortlisted for the prestigious 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World XI. This selection comes on the heels of a massive global voting campaign that brought together 19,806 professional footballers.
A total of 19,806 players participated in the selection process, which recognises outstanding individual performances during the eligible period.
Other high-profile nominees include France captain Kylian Mbappe, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, England midfielder Jude Bellingham and Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal.
The list also features several players from Europe’s leading clubs, including Barcelona’s Rodri and Pedri, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.
In defence, Arsenal’s Gabriel and William Saliba earned nominations alongside Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi and Paris Saint-Germain duo Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes.
The midfield category also includes Declan Rice, Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha, while Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez and Spain’s David Raya are among the nominated goalkeepers.
Unlike several other major individual football honours, the FIFPRO Men’s World XI is determined exclusively by professional footballers, who vote for players based on their performances during the assessment period.
The final selection will recognise the players considered outstanding by their fellow professionals across the different positions on the pitch.
What You Should Know
The FIFPRO Men’s World XI is a highly regarded global football accolade where players are chosen exclusively by their peers rather than journalists, coaches, or fans. This year’s 26-man shortlist features a blend of seasoned global superstars like Messi and Ronaldo alongside rising talents and established stars from Europe’s top leagues.
- Positive Impact: It highlights the continued dominance and longevity of veteran icons while celebrating the hard work of top-performing defenders, midfielders, and goalkeepers worldwide.
- Potential Concerns: The exclusive voting process by players sometimes sparks debate among fans and pundits regarding popularity versus actual season-long performance.
