Historic slap in the face for Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane! Bizarre decision in the FIFPRO World XI
Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane and his Bayern Munich team-mates Dayot Upamecano and Michael Olise missed out on the FIFPRO World 11 after their fellow players overlooked them in the vote.
Despite having Kane, Olise and Upamecano among the 26 finalists, Bayern Munich had no players in the world XI chosen by 19,806 eligible professional footballers from around the world.
Kane is the first men's Ballon d'Or winner not to make the FIFPRO World 11 in the same calendar year. Every Ballon d'Or winner since voting began in 2005 had made the XI.
For the men's selection, voters assessed performances from 4 August 2025 to 19 July 2026. Four forwards made the team because the final spot went to the outfield player with the most votes who had not finished in the top three in his position.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) and Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona) make up the forward line. Arsenal's David Raya takes his place in goal, with Pau Cubarsí (FC Barcelona) joining Paris Saint-Germain pair Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes in defence.
In midfield, voters chose Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain) and Rodri, who played for Manchester City and FC Barcelona. Paris Saint-Germain have the largest contingent, with three players in the XI.
The men's team at a glance
Goalkeeper: David Raya (Arsenal)
Defence: Pau Cubarsí (FC Barcelona), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain)
Midfield: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Rodri (Manchester City / FC Barcelona), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)
Attack: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona)
For the women's team, voters assessed performances between 4 August 2025 and 16 August 2026. Five England internationals made the XI. Lucy Bronze is one of them, and her ninth selection gives her the vote's all-time record.
The women's team at a glance
Goalkeeper: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea)
Defence: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Mapi León (FC Barcelona / London City Lionesses), Irene Paredes (FC Barcelona)
Midfield: Aitana Bonmatí (FC Barcelona), Alexia Putellas (FC Barcelona / London City Lionesses), Ella Toone (Manchester United)
Attack: Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride), Claudia Pina (FC Barcelona), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
