November 4: FIFPRO has released the shortlists for its men’s and women’s FIFPRO World 11, and while there are few surprises in the men’s nominees, the women’s list has come under fire for a number of notable omissions.
Manchester City and Jamaica’s top scorer Khadija Shaw, who finished third in the Ballon d’Or, did not make the 26-name FIFPRO shortlist. Other surprise omissions were Malawi star Temwa Chawinga and Haiti mecurial Melchie Dumornay were also shock omissions, along with Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen and Denmark captain Pernille Harder.
The 26 players who made the women’s shortlist were voted for by 6,511 women’s footballers from 64 countries using an online system.
Players were judged by their peers for their performances between August 4, 2025 and August 16, 2026. Players had to feature at least 20 times during that period to be eligible for nomination.
The final selection of the World XI will consist of a goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards who received the most votes in their positions. The remaining spot will be filled by the field player with the next highest number of votes.
The final eleven will be announced on Monday, November 9.
The men’s list was compiled from the votes of more than 19,000 FIFPRO players. It’s a list that includes all Ballon d’Or nominees as well as former perennials Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The men’s final eleven will also be presented on Monday, November 9.
Finalists of the FIFPRO 11 Women’s World Cup 2026
The goalkeepers
Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham, Germany)
Catalina Coll (Barcelona, Spain)
Hannah Hampton (Chelsea, England)
defenders
Ona Batlle (Barcelona/Arsenal, Spain)
Lucy Bronze (Chelsea, England)
Ellie Carpenter (Chelsea, Australia)
Emily Fox (Arsenal, USA)
Alex Greenwood (Manchester City, England)
Mapi Leon (Barcelona/London City Lionesses, Spain)
Katie McCabe (Arsenal/Chelsea, Republic of Ireland)
Irene Paredes (Barcelona, Spain)
midfielders
Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona, Spain)
Ghizlane Chebbak (Al-Hilal/Free Agent, Morocco)
Patri Guijarro (Barcelona, Spain)
Anaele Le Moguedec (Paris FC, France)
Vicky López (Barcelona, Spain)
Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/London City Lionesses, Spain)
Ella Toone (Manchester United, England)
in front
Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, Zambia)
Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea, England)
Athenea del Castell (Real Madrid, Spain)
Ada Hegerberg (OL Lyonnes, Norway)
Chloe Kelly (Arsenal, England)
Ewa Pajor (Barcelona, Poland)
Claudia Pina (Barcelona, Spain)
Alessia Russo (Arsenal, England)
Finalists of the 11th FIFPRO Men’s World Cup 2026
The goalkeepers
Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid, Belgium)
Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa/Chelsea, Argentina)
David Raya (Arsenal, Spain)
defenders
Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona, Spain)
Marc Cucurella (Chelsea/Real Madrid, Spain)
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, Netherlands)
Gabriel (Arsenal, Brazil)
Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco)
Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
William Saliba (Arsenal, France)
Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich, France)
midfielders
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, Portugal)
Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea/Manchester City, Argentina)
Peter (Barcelona, Spain)
Declan Rice (Arsenal, England)
Rodri (Manchester City/Barcelona, Spain)
Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
in front
Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain, Georgia)
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid, France)
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina)
Michael Olise (Bayern Munich, France)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr, Portugal)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
Contact the writer of this story at paul.nicholson@insideworldfootball.com