Messi, Ronaldo, Yamal, Mbappe Make 2026 FIFPRO World XI Nominee List

Football legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been nominated for the 2026 FIFPRO World XI alongside younger stars Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal.

The nominations feature 26 players each in the men’s and women’s categories, with professional footballers from around the world voting to recognise the outstanding performers of the 2025–26 season.

FIFPRO, the global football players’ union, said 19,806 players from 73 countries participated in the voting. The award is decided exclusively by professional footballers, unlike the Ballon d’Or, which is determined through a journalists’ voting process.

The men’s shortlist includes three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders and eight forwards. Among the nominees are Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes and Arsenal’s Declan Rice.

The forward category features Messi of Inter Miami, Ronaldo of Al Nassr, Mbappe of Real Madrid and Yamal of Barcelona. Other nominees include Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, Paris Saint-Germain’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise.

The complete men’s shortlist also includes Emiliano Martínez and David Raya among the goalkeepers; Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella, Gabriel, Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano among the defenders; and Jude Bellingham, Enzo Fernández, Pedri, Rodri and Vitinha among the midfielders.

In the women’s category, Barcelona features prominently, with several players nominated following the club’s successful campaign. The shortlist also includes experienced internationals such as Lucy Bronze, Ada Hegerberg and Alexia Putellas.

Other notable women’s nominees include Aitana Bonmatí, Patri Guijarro, Vicky López, Ewa Pajor, Clàudia Pina, Barbra Banda, Chloe Kelly and Ella Toone. The goalkeeping nominees are Ann-Katrin Berger, Cata Coll and Hannah Hampton.

The final men’s and women’s FIFPRO World XI teams are scheduled to be announced on Monday, November 9, 2026. The selections will recognise the players who receive the most votes from their fellow professionals.

MEN’S FIFPRO WORLD XI NOMINEES

Goalkeepers

Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa/Chelsea)

Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)

David Raya (Arsenal)

Defenders

Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona)

Marc Cucurella (Chelsea/Real Madrid)

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Gabriel (Arsenal)

Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain)

Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain)

William Saliba (Arsenal)

Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

Enzo Fernández (Chelsea/Manchester City)

Pedri (Barcelona)

Declan Rice (Arsenal)

Rodri (Manchester City/Barcelona)

Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)

Forwards

Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain)

Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)

Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

WOMEN’S FIFPRO WORLD XI NOMINEES

Goalkeepers

Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC)

Cata Coll (Barcelona)

Hannah Hampton (Chelsea)

Defenders

Ona Batlle (Arsenal)

Lucy Bronze (Chelsea)

Ellie Carpenter (Chelsea)

Emily Fox (Arsenal)

Alex Greenwood (Manchester City)

Mapi León (Barcelona/London City Lionesses)

Katie McCabe (Arsenal/Chelsea)

Irene Paredes (Barcelona)

Midfielders

Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona)

Ghizlane Chebbak (Al Hilal)

Patri Guijarro (Barcelona)

Anaële Le Moguedec (Paris FC)

Vicky López (Barcelona)

Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/London City Lionesses)

Ella Toone (Manchester United)

Forwards

Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride)

Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea)

Athenea del Castillo (Real Madrid)

Ada Hegerberg (Lyon)

Chloe Kelly (Arsenal)

Ewa Pajor (Barcelona)

Clàudia Pina (Barcelona)