Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane have been included among the 26 players nominated for the 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World XI.

The shortlist was determined through a worldwide voting exercise involving professional footballers, with a total of 19,806 players participating in the selection process.

The final World XI will recognise outstanding performers across the eligible period, with the nominees featuring some of the biggest names in international football.

Other high-profile candidates include France captain Kylian Mbappe, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal.

Barcelona midfielder Rodri has also made the list, alongside Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.

The defensive nominees include Arsenal centre-backs Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, Barcelona’s young defender Pau Cubarsi, as well as Paris Saint-Germain full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes.

In midfield, the shortlisted players include Barcelona’s Pedri, Arsenal’s Declan Rice, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and PSG midfielder Vitinha.

The goalkeeping category also features Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez and Spain international David Raya.

The FIFPRO World XI stands apart from many other major individual football honours because the voting is conducted exclusively by professional players. Rather than being selected by journalists, coaches or fans, the nominees and eventual team are determined by footballers who cast their votes based on the performances of their fellow professionals.

A total of 19,806 players participated in this year’s voting, underlining the global involvement behind the selection of the 2026 team.