The organization presented the 26 candidates for the ideal team of 2026, which will be chosen through voting by professional footballers from around the world
The selection of the ideal team of the year organized by the International Federation of Professional Footballers' Associations (FIFPRO) now has its candidates. This Monday, the union body presented the nominees for the World XI for the best men's squad of the last season and Argentina will have representatives.
Among the 26 eligible players, three Argentines appear: Lionel Messi, Emiliano Martínez, and Enzo Fernández. The footballers are part of a list that brings together some of the main figures in international football and whose final selection will be in the hands of their own colleagues. In total, 19,806 professional players participated in the voting to define the nominees.
The period considered for evaluating performances spans from August 4, 2025, to July 19, 2026. The announcement of the eleven members of the team is scheduled for next Monday, November 9.
The complete list of candidates for the World XI 2026
The candidates for World XI 2026
Goalkeepers:
Thibaut Courtois (Belgium / Real Madrid)
Emiliano Martínez (Argentina / Aston Villa - Chelsea)
David Raya (Spain / Arsenal)
Defenders:
Pau Cubarsí (Spain / Barcelona)
Marc Cucurella (Spain / Chelsea - Real Madrid)
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands)
Gabriel Magalhães (Brazil / Arsenal)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)
Nuno Mendes (Portugal / Paris Saint-Germain)
William Saliba (France / Arsenal)
Dayot Upamecano (France / Bayern Munich)
Midfielders:
Jude Bellingham (England / Real Madrid)
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal / Manchester United)
Enzo Fernández (Argentina / Chelsea - Manchester City)
Pedri (Spain / Barcelona)
Declan Rice (England / Arsenal)
Rodri (Spain / Manchester City - Barcelona)
Vitinha (Portugal / Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards:
Erling Haaland (Norway / Manchester City)
Harry Kane (England / Bayern Munich)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia / Paris Saint-Germain)
Kylian Mbappé (France / Real Madrid)
Lionel Messi (Argentina / Inter Miami)
Michael Olise (France / Bayern Munich)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal / Al-Nassr)
Lamine Yamal (Spain / Barcelona)
How the World XI works
Unlike other individual awards, such as the Ballon d'Or, which involve journalists and specialists, the World XI has a particularity: it is the protagonists themselves who choose their colleagues. Each footballer can vote for the three best players in each of the four positions: goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and forward.
From these votes, the most voted goalkeeper, the three defenders, the three midfielders, and the three forwards with the most support will be selected. The eleventh member will be the player who receives the most votes among the remaining candidates, regardless of their position on the field.
In 2025, more than 26,000 professionals from 70 countries cast their votes, a figure that the organization hopes to surpass this time. In that edition, the team was formed as follows (3-4-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Virgil van Dijk, Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes; Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Pedri, Vitinha; Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, and Lamine Yamal.
