Harry Kane misses FIFPRO World 11 after winning the 2026 Ballon d'Or

Men's World 11 announced

FIFPRO, the global union of professional footballers, published its men's World 11 for 2026 on Monday, 9 November 2026, based on votes from 19,806 professional male players. The side is set up in an unorthodox 3-3-4 formation, with David Raya in goal, Pau Cubarsí, Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes in defence, Jude Bellingham, Rodri and Vitinha in midfield, and Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal up front. Spain is the most represented nation with four players. Participation figures differ between reports: The Independent says more than 26,000 players from 75 countries took part, while The New York Times gives 19,806 players from 73 countries.

Kane left out despite the Ballon d'Or

Harry Kane, the Bayern Munich and England striker, won the Ballon d'Or in October 2026, yet he is absent from the team. Reports describe him as the first Ballon d'Or winner to miss the FIFPRO XI since the list began in 2005. Kane finished fifth among forwards with 27.6% of the votes, 0.8 percentage points behind Haaland in fourth. Kylian Mbappé received the most votes, 46%, ahead of Lamine Yamal on 37.4% and Lionel Messi on 29.5%. Messi returns to the team for the first time since 2023, his 18th selection overall, according to Focus.

The Ballon d'Or is decided differently. France Football and UEFA award it, with a jury of one journalist from each of the top 100 nations in the FIFA rankings, whereas the FIFPRO team is chosen by players alone. The New York Times notes that Kane scored 73 goals in 65 matches for club and country last season and has 16 goals in the current campaign. This year he helped Bayern win the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the German Super Cup, and he scored six goals as England finished third at the World Cup.

Kylian Mbappé46%

Lamine Yamal37.4%

Lionel Messi29.5%

Harry Kane27.6%

Kylian Mbappé

46 %

Lamine Yamal

37.4 %

Lionel Messi

29.5 %

Harry Kane

27.6 %

Data from the article text

Portuguese picks and Raya's recognition

Nuno Mendes and Vitinha, both at Paris Saint-Germain, are included again. Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo were among the 26 nominees but did not make the final eleven. David Raya finished second in the Yashin Trophy vote, his best finish, and the award went to Unai Simon, who started every match in Spain's World Cup-winning campaign. Raya is only the second Arsenal player to make the FIFPRO World 11 since it launched in 2005, after Thierry Henry in 2006.

“Thank you guys for voting me in the FIFPRO World 11”

Raya was one of only two Premier League players in the side, alongside Haaland. He won the Premier League with Arsenal this year and played a key role as they reached the Champions League final.

Women's XI and the voting process

The women's team includes Lucy Bronze, who makes a record ninth appearance, and Alexia Putellas, who has just won the Ballon d'Or Féminin. Barbra Banda is the only player in the women's XI who is not from England or Spain. The New York Times reports that the women's selection drew criticism for leaving out Khadija Shaw, Temwa Chawinga, Patri Guijarro and Ewa Pajor. According to The Independent, voting took place on a secure digital platform shared by FIFPRO and its affiliated player unions. FIFPRO's official account stated that the men's selection was decided exclusively by the 19,806 male professional players.