FIFPRO World XI shortlist: Messi, Ronaldo and Kane among 26 finalists

FIFPRO, the global union for professional footballers, published its 26-player shortlist for the 2026 Men's World 11 on 2 November 2026. The nominees include Inter Miami's 39-year-old Argentine star Lionel Messi, Al-Nassr's 41-year-old Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 2026 Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane of Bayern Munich, and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.

According to a GOAL report, 19,806 professional players from 73 countries took part in the vote. The final XI will be announced on Monday 9 November 2026 on FIFPRO's digital channels.

How is the FIFPRO World XI chosen?

The FIFPRO World XI is voted on by professional players alone, not by journalists or coaches, and the shortlist is made up of the names that received the most votes from their peers. The voting window runs from 4 August 2025 to 19 July 2026. To be eligible, a player needed a minimum of 30 official matches in that period; The Nigerian Voice reports that top-flight club games and senior international fixtures both count.

The side is built from the top-voted goalkeeper plus the three players with the most votes in each of defence, midfield and attack. The eleventh place goes to the outfield player who missed the top three in his own position but polled highest among those left.

Who are the 26 FIFPRO World XI finalists?

The list features 3 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 7 midfielders and 8 forwards. Players who changed clubs during or after the voting window are listed with both teams:

• Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa/Chelsea), David Raya (Arsenal)
• Defenders: Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea/Real Madrid), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Gabriel (Arsenal), Achraf Hakimi (PSG), Nuno Mendes (PSG), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
• Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea/Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Rodri (Manchester City/Barcelona), Vitinha (PSG)
• Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Barcelona have the largest presence. Arsenal have Raya, Gabriel, Saliba and Rice, while PSG are represented by Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha and Kvaratskhelia. Real Madrid highlighted Courtois, Cucurella, Bellingham and Mbappé on their website, and Mundo Deportivo counted four Barcelona players, including Rodri: Cubarsí, Pedri, Rodri and Lamine Yamal. Bayern Munich are represented by Upamecano, Kane and Olise.

Why are Messi and Ronaldo still nominated at 39 and 41?

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo no longer play in Europe's top leagues, but their fellow professionals voted them into the top 26 once again. ScoreLab data shows Messi produced 25 goals and 14 assists in 30 matches in the 2026 MLS season, scoring on average every 103 minutes. Ronaldo has 7 goals in 10 games in the 2026/27 Saudi Pro League campaign, including a hat-trick of 3 goals in the 5-3 win over Al Kholood on 29 October 2026.

One caveat applies: Ronaldo's goals this season and the part of Messi's MLS campaign played after 19 July 2026 fall outside the voting window. Their longevity, however, speaks for itself. Messi has scored 126 goals in 208 appearances for Argentina, while Ronaldo has reached 146 goals in 234 caps for Portugal (ScoreLab data).

Why do Harry Kane and Bruno Fernandes stand out?

Harry Kane makes the FIFPRO shortlist straight after his 2026 Ballon d'Or triumph. The Nigerian Voice notes that Kane became the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen. The 33-year-old Bayern Munich striker has 4 goals and 6 assists in 8 Bundesliga games in 2026/27, according to ScoreLab data, and his England record stands at 91 goals in 125 matches.

Manchester United announced on their own channels that captain Bruno Fernandes had been shortlisted. The 32-year-old Portuguese midfielder has 29 goals and 27 assists in 97 appearances for Portugal, according to ScoreLab data.

When will the FIFPRO World XI be announced?

The 2026 FIFPRO Men's World 11 will be revealed on Monday 9 November 2026. The team will consist of one goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders, three forwards and one further outfield player drawn from the remaining votes. That day will show whether Messi and Ronaldo make the final XI once more.