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Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé are among 26 players shortlisted for the 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World 11.

The shortlist was announced by the global players’ union, FIFPRO, following a vote by 19,806 professional male footballers from 73 countries.

The annual award is unique because the final team is selected exclusively by professional footballers, giving players the opportunity to recognise colleagues they believe delivered outstanding performances during the season.

Other notable names on the list include Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha.

Full list of 26 nominees

FIFPRO has divided the nominees into four playing positions:

Goalkeepers

  1. Thibaut Courtois – Belgium
  2. Emiliano Martínez – Argentina
  3. David Raya – Spain

Defenders

  1. Pau Cubarsí – Spain
  2. Marc Cucurella – Spain
  3. Virgil van Dijk – Netherlands
  4. Gabriel Magalhães – Brazil
  5. Achraf Hakimi – Morocco
  6. Nuno Mendes – Portugal
  7. William Saliba – France
  8. Dayot Upamecano – France

Midfielders

  1. Jude Bellingham – England
  2. Bruno Fernandes – Portugal
  3. Enzo Fernández – Argentina
  4. Pedri – Spain
  5. Declan Rice – England
  6. Rodri – Spain
  7. Vitinha – Portugal

Forwards

  1. Erling Haaland – Norway
  2. Harry Kane – England
  3. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Georgia
  4. Kylian Mbappé – France
  5. Lionel Messi – Argentina
  6. Michael Olise – France
  7. Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal
  8. Lamine Yamal – Spain

When will the final World 11 be announced?

The 11 players who receive the highest votes in their respective positions will make the final team.

The selection will comprise one goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards. The remaining position will go to the outfield player with the next highest number of votes.

According to FIFPRO, the final 2026 Men’s World 11 will be unveiled on Monday, November 9, through its digital platforms.

The shortlist recognises players for their performances between August 4, 2025, and July 19, 2026. Eligible players must have featured in at least 30 official matches during that period.

 

Also Read: Harry Kane Says Bayern Munich Move Changed His Life

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By Ishmeal

Ishmeal Ntakor is a Ghanaian journalist, blogger, digital marketer, content creator, and media professional with interests in journalism, digital communication, healthcare, tourism, social development, and storytelling. He has experience in researching, writing, editing, and publishing news stories, features, articles, and digital content. His work covers current affairs, human-interest stories, entertainment, sports, tourism, social issues, and community developments. Ishmeal is also the founder and personality behind NationsBlogger, a digital media and blogging platform focused on news, entertainment, sports, trending stories, tourism, social issues, and public-interest content. Through his media work, he uses digital platforms to inform, educate, and connect with audiences. Educational Background Ishmeal has an interdisciplinary academic background spanning healthcare, digital marketing, and journalism. His qualifications include: - Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Diagnostic Medical Imaging – University of Cape Coast (UCC) -Degree in Digital Marketing – IPMC College of Technology Higher National Diploma (HND) in Journalism and Communication His background in Diagnostic Medical Imaging has given him academic exposure to healthcare and medical imaging, while his studies in Digital Marketing and Journalism have strengthened his abilities in communication, media production, digital strategy, content creation, and online storytelling. He has developed skills in SEO, social media marketing, Google Ads, PPC, content strategy, social media content creation, YouTube scripting, online journalism, and digital brand development. Beyond journalism and digital marketing, Ishmeal has a strong interest in tourism, history, exploration, interviews, current affairs, entertainment, and community development. As a media professional, Ishmeal believes in research, responsible reporting, accuracy, continuous learning, and telling stories that matter. He continues to combine his academic background in Diagnostic Medical Imaging at UCC, Digital Marketing at IPMC, and Journalism and Communication to build a diverse career across media, digital marketing, healthcare communication, and tourism. Ishmeal Ntakor is committed to growing NationsBlogger and using journalism and digital media to inform, educate, and engage audiences in Ghana and beyond

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