Lionel Messi has been included in the FIFPro World XI for a record 18th time.
The former Argentina forward led his country to this summer’s World Cup final only for the reigning champions to lose to Spain after extra time.
Messi has been named in the XI every year since 2007 with the exception of 2024 and 2025.
The 39-year-old Inter Miami man leads a somewhat top-heavy squad with a front four that also includes Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal. There was no place for 2026 Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane.
The midfield three are Jude Bellingham, Vitinha and Spain’s World Cup-winning captain Rodri.
Arsenal’s David Raya is in goal, behind three from Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes and Pau Cubarsí. who has today been named the winner of the 2026 Golden Boy Award.
Who votes for the FIFPro World XI?
All professional footballers have the opportunity to name their three best players in each position: goalkeeper, defence, midfield and attack. Each year, around 25,000 players voted.
The men’s XI is based on performances from 4 August 2025 to 19 July 2026 to incorporate the 2025/26 league seasons and the World Cup.
The players with the most votes go into the XI.
How was the vote broken?
Raya was the standout candidate among the goalkeepers who helped Arsenal win the Premier League crown with a string of brilliant performances. He received 51.9% of the votes for the goalkeeper position.
Hakimi (40.9%), Cubarsi (26.8%) and Mendes (25.5%) have just overtaken Arsenal duo Gabriel (22.4%) and William Saliba (20.9%) among defenders.
Rodri was the midfielder who received the most votes (33.4%), ahead of Bellingham (31.3%) and Vitinha (28.2%).
Kane was not included after finishing fifth among forwards with 27.6%. He is behind Erling Haaland (28.4%), Messi (29.5%), Yamal (37.4%) and Mbappe (46%).
The FIFAPro World XI is:
David Raya (Arsenal and Spain)
Achraf Hakimi (PSG and Morocco)
Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona and Spain)
Nuno Mendes (PSG and Portugal)
Rodri (Barcelona and Spain)
Vitinha (PSG and Portugal)
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid and England)
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain)
Erling Haaland (Manchester City and Norway)
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid and France)
