The 2026 FIFPRO Men's and Women's World 11 teams have been unveiled, with several established football stars recognised, new names making their debuts and notable omissions emerging from the players' voting process.
Players' Verdict: FIFPRO Unveils 2026 World 11 With Historic Milestones And Major Omissions
The selections, announced on Monday, November 9, were decided by 26,317 professional footballers from 75 countries, making the World 11 the only global football award determined exclusively by professional players.
The men's team features representatives from some of Europe's leading clubs, including Arsenal, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Manchester City, while the women's selection includes players from Chelsea, Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester United.
This year's selections produced several notable achievements across both categories.
In the men's team, Lionel Messi extended his record to 18 FIFPRO World 11 appearances, returning to the selection for the first time since 2023.
Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal also achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first player to earn two World 11 selections before turning 20.
His Barcelona teammate Pau Cubarsi, also aged 19, joins him in the team, with both teenagers representing the emergence of a new generation in world football.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and Cubarsi are among the three players making their first appearances in the men's and women's selections, alongside Barcelona forward Claudia Pina.
Spain also extended its record as the country with the most men's World 11 appearances, reaching 53 selections across 17 different players.
In the women's category, England defender Lucy Bronze established a new record with her ninth appearance, moving further ahead of France's Wendie Renard, who has seven selections.
Zambia international Barbra Banda also made her third appearance, extending her record as the African woman with the most FIFPRO World 11 selections.
Banda was the only player in the women's team representing a country outside England and Spain.
Another notable return came from Spain defender Irene Paredes, who earned her first selection since 2017, ending a nine-year gap between appearances.
The announcement also attracted attention because of several high-profile players who failed to secure places in the final teams.
The most notable omission in the men's category was England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, who missed out despite winning the 2026 Ballon d'Or.
Kane received 27.6 per cent of the votes in the forward category, narrowly missing out to the four selected forwards.
Erling Haaland received 28.4 per cent, while Kylian Mbappe secured 46 per cent. Lionel Messi received 29.5 per cent and Yamal recorded 37.4 per cent.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was another notable absentee after featuring among the 26 finalists but failing to make the final team.
Other players who featured on the men's shortlist but missed out included Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, Barcelona midfielder Pedri, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
In the women's category, Barcelona defender Ona Batlle narrowly missed out after receiving 16 per cent of the votes.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya emerged as the most selected player in the men's voting, receiving 10,278 votes, representing 52 per cent of the ballots.
Among outfield players, Mbappe received the highest number of votes with 9,105, equivalent to 46 per cent.
Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati led the women's voting with 3,083 votes, representing 47 per cent.
The 2026 FIFPRO Men's World 11 are:
Goalkeeper: David Raya (Arsenal)
Defenders: Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain).
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Rodri (Manchester City/Barcelona), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain).
Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).
The Women's list include:
Goalkeeper: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea).
Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Mapi Leon (Barcelona/London City Lionesses), Irene Paredes (Barcelona).
Midfielders: Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/London City Lionesses), Ella Toone (Manchester United).
Forwards: Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride), Claudia Pina (Barcelona), Alessia Russo (Arsenal).
A total of 19,806 male footballers from 73 countries participated in the men's voting, while 6,511 female footballers took part in the women's selection.
The assessment period for the men's category covered performances between August 4, 2025, and July 19, 2026. Players were required to make at least 30 official appearances to qualify.
For the women's category, the assessment period ran from August 4, 2025, to August 16, 2026, with players required to make at least 20 official appearances.
Each footballer voted for three players in each of four positions: goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward.
The goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards with the highest votes in their respective positions secured places in the team. The final position went to the remaining outfield player with the highest number of votes.
FIFPRO, formally known as the International Federation of Professional Footballers, is the global representative organisation for professional footballers.
Founded in 1965, the organisation represents players through affiliated national players' associations around the world.
Its responsibilities include protecting footballers' employment rights, improving working conditions, promoting player welfare and ensuring professional players have a voice in decisions affecting their careers and the wider game.
One of its most recognised initiatives is the FIFPRO World 11, an annual selection that allows professional footballers to vote for the players they believe have delivered the best performances.
Unlike the Ballon d'Or and The Best FIFA Football Awards, which involve different combinations of journalists, coaches, national team captains and fans in their voting processes, the FIFPRO World 11 is decided exclusively by professional footballers.
The men's selection was introduced in 2005, while the women's category was added in 2015.
The award is regarded as a special recognition within football because the players themselves determine which of their colleagues make the final teams.
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