Messi returns as Yamal makes history
Lionel Messi has secured his place in the FIFPRO Men's World 11 once again, marking a triumphant return to the elite lineup for the first time since 2023. His comeback follows a stellar international campaign where he scored eight goals to lead Argentina to the World Cup final, which they narrowly lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time.
Joining him in the history books is Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, who continues to shatter expectations. The Spanish international has become the first player ever to be selected for the World 11 twice before reaching the age of 20. He is one of four Spanish players included in this season's lineup, alongside David Raya, Pau Cubarsi, and Rodri Hernandez.
Shock omission for Harry Kane
The biggest talking point of the announcement is undoubtedly the absence of Kane. Despite the England captain being the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, he failed to garner enough votes from his fellow professionals to make the final cut.
Kane's exclusion highlights the intense competition for attacking spots, with voters clearly favouring a standout frontline. Erling Haaland secured his place after finishing as the Premier League top scorer last season with 27 goals, while also scoring seven times to lead Norway to their first-ever World Cup quarter-final. Alongside him, Kylian Mbappe earned his spot after bagging 10 goals to finish as the World Cup top scorer, officially becoming the tournament's all-time leading goalscorer.
Ligue 1 and PSG dominance
Paris Saint-Germain enjoyed a strong showing in the final XI, with the French champions boasting three representatives in the squad following their back-to-back Champions League titles. The defensive unit features Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi and Portuguese left-back Nuno Mendes, alongside midfielder Vitinha, all rewarded for their pivotal roles in the club's European success.
The lineup was selected following a vote by 19,806 professional footballers across 73 countries. Eligible players were evaluated on their performances between August 4, 2025, and July 19, 2026, provided they featured in at least 30 official matches during that period.
The complete 2026 FIFPro World 11
The complete 2026 FIFPro World 11 lineup features Raya in goal, behind a backline of Hakimi, Cubarsi, and Mendes. The midfield trio consists of Rodri, Vitinha, and Jude Bellingham, while Messi, Yamal, Mbappe, and Haaland form a formidable frontline.