Lionel Messi is back among football’s elite. The Argentine forward headlines the 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World 11, unveiled on Monday, 9 November, alongside Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and teenager Lamine Yamal. The biggest talking point, however, is a name that is missing: Harry Kane, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, did not make the team chosen by his fellow professionals.
The selection, announced through FIFPRO’s digital platforms, is the only major global football award decided entirely by players. Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi is the only African in the men’s side, and no Nigerian player made the final eleven.
The full 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World 11
According to the line-up published by FIFPRO and reported by Real Madrid, Goal and Yahoo Sports, the team is set up as follows:
- Goalkeeper: David Raya (Arsenal, Spain)
- Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (PSG, Morocco), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona, Spain), Nuno Mendes (PSG, Portugal)
- Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England), Vitinha (PSG, Portugal), Rodri (Manchester City, Spain)
- Forwards: Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid, France), Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
Spain is the best-represented nation with four players, TVC News reported, while Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City and PSG all have more than one representative. Players were judged on their performances between 4 August 2025 and 19 July 2026, and needed at least 30 official appearances in that window to be eligible.
Messi returns with a record 18th selection
For Messi, the call-up marks a return after missing the last two editions. Major League Soccer said it is his 18th FIFPRO World 11 selection, a record, and noted that he was previously named in every edition from 2007 to 2023, the longest unbroken run in the award’s history.
His inclusion follows a strong year for club and country. Goal reported that the 39-year-old scored eight goals as he led Argentina to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, which they lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time. He also finished another productive regular season with Inter Miami in MLS.
At the other end of the age scale, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal has made history again. According to Goal, the Spain winger is the first player to be named in the World 11 twice before turning 20.
Kane snub sparks debate
Kane’s absence has drawn the most reaction. The Bayern Munich and England striker won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, yet the players’ vote went elsewhere in attack. OneFootball, writing on Yahoo Sports, said it is the first time a Ballon d’Or winner has been left out of the FIFPRO team for the same year as his victory.
The decision highlights how differently the awards are decided. The Ballon d’Or is voted for by journalists, while the FIFPRO team reflects the views of professional footballers around the world, who chose to pack the forward line with Mbappé, Haaland, Messi and Yamal.
Hakimi makes African history
For African fans, Hakimi’s selection is the standout. Africa Soccer reported that the Moroccan right-back has become the first African player to earn three FIFPRO World 11 selections. He has been a key figure for both PSG and Morocco, who reached the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup.
FIFPRO also named its 2026 Women’s World 11, chosen by professional women footballers. Spain and England dominate that side, and Zambia’s Barbra Banda of Orlando Pride is included in attack, according to the list FIFPRO published, as reported by Khel Now.
What happens next
The FIFPRO teams are part of a busy end-of-year awards season that also includes FIFA’s own Best awards and continental honours such as the CAF Awards, where Nigerian players are usually in contention. For Nigeria’s stars, attention now turns to the international break, with the Super Eagles facing Tanzania in AFCON 2027 qualifiers on 13 and 17 November.
Introduced in 2005, the FIFPRO World 11 remains one of the most respected honours in the game precisely because it comes from the players themselves, and this year’s vote shows that respect among peers does not always follow the Ballon d’Or.
Sources: FIFPRO, Real Madrid CF, Major League Soccer / Yahoo Sports, OneFootball, Goal, TVC News, Africa Soccer, Khel Now.
