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Harry Kane holding the Ballon d'Or trophy on stage in a tuxedo; clean image, no outlet overlay
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Harry Kane left out of FIFPRO World 11 as Mbappe, Haaland and Messi make the cut

Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane is left out of FIFPRO's 2026 men's World 11 as Mbappe, Haaland, Yamal and Messi make the front four.

Sola Amusan2 min read

Kane is the first Ballon d'Or winner left out of the team since FIFPRO started it in 2005.

Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane has not been named in the FIFPRO World 11, the 2026 team of the year chosen by professional footballers and announced on Monday.

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane was among the 26 finalists but did not make the final 11. Kane won the award last month, ahead of Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe by one of the smallest margins in history.

In the forwards vote, Kane received 27.6 per cent. Erling Haaland, of Manchester City, was marginally ahead on 28.4 per cent. It is the first time since the FIFPRO World 11 began in 2005 that a Ballon d'Or winner has been left out.

The attacking line is Mbappe, Haaland, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Inter Miami's Lionel Messi. Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Olise were not in that front four.

Arsenal's David Raya was named in goal. Barcelona's Pau Cubarsi, PSG's Achraf Hakimi and PSG's Nuno Mendes make up the back three. In midfield are PSG's Vitinha, Rodri and Kane's England team-mate Jude Bellingham, who plays for Real Madrid.

Professional footballers from 75 countries cast their votes through a secure digital platform, run by FIFPRO alongside its member player unions. Players were assessed on their performances between 4 August 2025 and 19 July 2026, both dates included, and needed at least 30 official matches in that window to qualify. Each participant named three footballers they regarded as the top performers for each of the four roles.

FIFPRO's post on X said the list was "Decided exclusively by 19,806 professional men's footballers worldwide." The post closed with the line "By the players, for the players".

The goalkeeper, the three best-polling defenders, the three best-polling midfielders and the three best-polling attackers took their seats. The final seat went to the outfield player who polled highest among those left.

FIFPRO released its women's World 11 the same day. It was chosen by more than 6,500 women's footballers from 64 countries, and it included five of Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses and seven players from the WSL. Lucy Bronze made the XI for a record ninth time.

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