Sports · Football · 9 hrs ago
Kane Misses FIFPRO World XI as Messi Earns 18th Selection
Footballers voted Lionel Messi into the FIFPRO men's World XI for the 18th time, while Harry Kane was left out.
The team is chosen by professional players, and Kane was among 26 finalists for the men's lineup.
The forward line includes Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal.
Kane's omission is a first since the award began in 2005: no Ballon d'Or winner had previously missed the XI.
Spain supplied four players to the men's team, including 19-year-old Yamal, while Messi, who plays for Inter Miami, was the only man selected from a club outside Europe.
The women's XI also reflects Europe's strong presence, with five players from European champions England and five from Spain; Zambia's Barbra Banda was the only player with an African or American connection.
FIFPRO announced both teams on Monday, after players from around the world voted.
Lionel Messi was named in the FIFPRO Men’s World XI for the 18th time, while Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane was left out.
Messi was selected in a forward line with Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal.
More than 18,000 players voted for the men’s team, according to Sky Sports; Fox Sports reported nearly 20,000 voters.
The teams were announced on Monday, November 9, 2026.
Spain had four players in the men’s XI, while England had five players in the Women’s World XI.
- Who
- Lionel Messi was selected; Harry Kane was not.
- What
- The FIFPRO Men’s World XI was announced.
- When
- Monday, November 9, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Players voted for their best team; the sources do not state why Kane was left out.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Messi was last selected for the FIFPRO World XI before this announcement.
The FIFPRO World XI teams were announced after players voted.
- Messi
- 18th FIFPRO World XI appearance
- Kane
- Ballon d’Or winner omitted from the men’s XI
- Men’s vote
- More than 18,000 voters, according to Sky Sports
- Women’s vote
- More than 6,500 players from 64 countries
- Announcement
- November 9, 2026
2 sources
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The 2026 FIFPRO Men’s #World11 ✨ Decided exclusively by 19,806 professional men’s footballers worldwide. By the players, for the players 🏆