Bolatito Mercy
England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has made an unprecedented entry into football history after becoming the first Ballon d’Or winner since 2005 to miss out on selection for the FIFPRO Men’s World 11.
The 2026 team was unveiled on Monday, November 9, following a voting exercise involving professional footballers from around the world. The selection recognises players whose performances stood out during the assessment period.
Kane’s omission came despite an impressive 2025/2026 campaign in which he played a major role in Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga triumph and helped England reach the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 33-year-old reportedly secured 27.6 per cent of the votes among forwards, finishing behind Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who received 28.4 per cent. Other forwards selected were Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal.
Meanwhile, Messi returned to the FIFPRO Men’s World 11 for the first time since 2023, extending his record number of appearances to 18.
Yamal also achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first player to earn two World 11 selections before turning 20.
The midfield featured England’s Jude Bellingham, Spain’s Rodri and Portugal’s Vitinha, while David Raya was selected as goalkeeper. Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí, Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes completed the defensive line.
The FIFPRO World 11 is particularly distinctive because it is voted for exclusively by professional footballers, giving players the opportunity to recognise colleagues they consider outstanding.
Kane’s exclusion has therefore attracted attention, particularly given his Ballon d’Or triumph and impressive performances during the season.
