Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Harry Kane and Rodri headline the 26-man shortlist for the 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World XI, while Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas and Ada Hegerberg front the women’s list.
The global professional footballers’ union unveiled the nominees in both categories on Monday, November 2, through its official X account, ahead of the final teams being confirmed.
The men’s list features three former Ballon d’Or winners in Ronaldo, Messi and Rodri, alongside England captain Kane. Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, Bruno Fernandes and Virgil van Dijk also make the cut.
On the women’s side, three-time Ballon d’Or winners Bonmatí and Putellas are joined by 2018 winner Hegerberg, with Barbra Banda, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly and Ewa Pajor also nominated.
A Vote by the Players, for the Players
What sets the FIFPRO World XI apart from most individual football honours is who decides it: professional footballers themselves, voting for the colleagues they believe produced the best performances during the eligibility period.
According to FIFPRO, 19,806 male players took part in the men’s vote, while 6,511 female footballers cast ballots in the women’s category.
The nominees are grouped across four positions — goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards — with the final line-ups drawn from the shortlisted names.
The Full Men’s Shortlist
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Emiliano Martínez, David Raya.
Defenders: Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella, Virgil van Dijk, Gabriel, Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano.
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Bruno Fernandes, Enzo Fernández, Pedri, Declan Rice, Rodrigo Hernández, Vitinha.
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Attackers: Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Michael Olise, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lamine Yamal.
The Full Women’s Shortlist
Goalkeepers: Ann-Katrin Berger, Catalina Coll, Hannah Hampton.
Defenders: Ona Batlle, Lucy Bronze, Ellie Carpenter, Emily Fox, Alex Greenwood, Mapi León, Katie McCabe, Irene Paredes.
Midfielders: Aitana Bonmatí, Ghizlane Chebbak, Patri Guijarro, Anaële Le Moguedec, Vicky López, Alexia Putellas, Ella Toone.
Attackers: Barbra Banda, Aggie Beever-Jones, Athenea, Ada Hegerberg, Chloe Kelly, Ewa Pajor, Claudia Pina, Alessia Russo.
The announcement follows the 2025 FIFPRO Men’s World XI selection, which drew votes from more than 26,000 professional footballers across 68 countries.