The 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World XI was released on Monday, with some notable names missing from the selection. The team was chosen through a secure voting process involving 19,806 professional men’s footballers worldwide. This year’s men’s World XI features big names like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé. However, Harry Kane, the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner, was not selected, breaking a 21-year sequence.
Since the inception of FIFPRO 11 in 2005, this year’s edition marks the first time a reigning Ballon d’Or winner will not feature in the Team of the Year. Kane ranked 5th among the attackers, with 27.6% of the votes. According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, this is a rare distinction in the history of the award.
Kane was crowned the 2026 Ballon d’Or at the 70th edition of the ceremony at the London Palladium, capping a remarkable 2025–26 campaign for club and country. He scored 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern during the season, helping the German club win the domestic league and cup double. His overall tally, including international matches, reached 73 goals.
The percentages of votes for each player represent the proportion of the 19,806 professional footballers who included each player in their selections. Mbappé emerged first with 46%, followed by Lamine Yamal at 37.4%. Coming third is Messi with 29.5%, while Erling Haaland finished fourth with 28.4%.
Other notable names missing from the final list include Thibaut Courtois, Emiliano Martinez, Marc Cucurella, Virgil van Dijk, Bruno Fernandes, Enzo Fernandez, Pedri, Declan Rice, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Michael Olise, and Cristiano Ronaldo. The FIFPRO World 11 stands out among major individual football awards because it is voted for exclusively by professional footballers.
The voting process for the FIFPRO World XI involves professional footballers selecting their peers based on their performances. This year’s selection highlights the gap between individual accolades and recognition from fellow professional footballers. Kane’s omission from the FIFPRO Men’s World XI marks a notable exception in the history of the award.
The FIFPRO World XI is one of the most prestigious awards in football, and Kane’s exclusion is a significant development. The award ceremony and voting process ensure that only the best players are selected, and Kane’s absence will likely spark discussion among football fans and experts.
Key points
- Harry Kane is the first Ballon d’Or winner to be left out of the FIFPRO World XI since its inception in 2005.
- The FIFPRO World XI is voted for exclusively by professional footballers, making it a unique and prestigious award in the football world.
- Kane’s omission highlights the gap between individual accolades and recognition from fellow professional footballers.
