Ronaldo, Messi and Bonmatí Lead 2026 FIFPRO World XI Nominees

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Harry Kane and Aitana Bonmatí are among the leading names on the 2026 FIFPRO World XI nominees lists announced by the global professional footballers’ union on November 2.

FIFPRO released 26 nominees in each of the men’s and women’s categories ahead of the selection of the final teams. The awards are decided entirely by professional footballers, with 19,806 male players voting for the men’s team and 6,511 female players participating in the women’s category.

The shortlists cover four positions: goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards. Players’ votes will determine who makes the final World XI teams.

Ronaldo, Messi and Kane Headline Men’s Shortlist

The men’s nominees include three former Ballon d’Or winners: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Rodri.

They are joined by England captain Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, Bruno Fernandes and Virgil van Dijk.

Other notable nominees include Pedri, Declan Rice, Vitinha, Michael Olise and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

The full 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World XI shortlist is divided by position:

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Emiliano Martínez and David Raya.

Defenders: Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella, Virgil van Dijk, Gabriel, Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano.

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Bruno Fernandes, Enzo Fernández, Pedri, Declan Rice, Rodrigo Hernández and Vitinha.

Forwards: Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Michael Olise, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lamine Yamal.

Bonmatí, Putellas and Hegerberg Lead Women’s Nominees

The women’s shortlist features three-time Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas, alongside 2018 winner Ada Hegerberg.

Barbra Banda, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly and Ewa Pajor are also among the nominees.

The full 2026 FIFPRO Women’s World XI shortlist includes:

Goalkeepers: Ann-Katrin Berger, Catalina Coll and Hannah Hampton.

Defenders: Ona Batlle, Lucy Bronze, Ellie Carpenter, Emily Fox, Alex Greenwood, Mapi León, Katie McCabe and Irene Paredes.

Midfielders: Aitana Bonmatí, Ghizlane Chebbak, Patri Guijarro, Anaële Le Moguedec, Vicky López, Alexia Putellas and Ella Toone.

Forwards: Barbra Banda, Aggie Beever-Jones, Athenea, Ada Hegerberg, Chloe Kelly, Ewa Pajor, Claudia Pina and Alessia Russo.

Professional Footballers Decide the Final Teams

The FIFPRO World XI differs from many major individual football awards because the winners are selected exclusively through votes from professional footballers.

Players choose colleagues they believe delivered the strongest performances during the eligibility period. The final teams will be drawn from the 26 nominees in each category.

The latest announcement follows the 2025 FIFPRO Men’s World XI selection, which attracted votes from more than 26,000 professional footballers across 68 countries.

The 2026 shortlists now put the final decision in the hands of players, with established stars and emerging talents competing for places in the men’s and women’s teams.