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Harry Kane snubbed from FIFPro World XI despite Ballon d'Or win

Harry Kane missed out on the men's FIFPro World 11 despite winning the 2026 Ballon d'Or, while Lionel Messi made a record 18th appearance.

By , Sports writer

· 2 min read

Harry Kane
Harry Kane (file photo) Photo: Bryan Berlin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane was not named in the FIFPro Men's World 11. Lionel Messi returned for an 18th selection, and Lamine Yamal made history with a second teenage appearance.

Key takeaways

  • Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d'Or but was omitted from the FIFPro World 11.
  • Lionel Messi made his 18th appearance in the team.
  • Lamine Yamal appeared as a teenager for the second time.
  • 19,806 professional footballers from 73 countries voted for the team.
  • Kane received 27.6 per cent of votes among forwards.

Harry Kane was among the biggest names to miss out on selection for the FIFPRO Men's World 11 despite winning the 2026 Ballon d'Or. India Today reported that Kane's triumph was not enough to earn him a place in the team.

FIFPRO World 11 selection

Kane had been included on the shortlist for the prestigious World 11. However, the Bayern Munich striker failed to secure enough votes to earn a place in the final selection. A total of 19,806 professional footballers from 73 countries took part in the voting.

The full men's team

Jude Bellingham, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal were among the high-profile players named in the team. It is the first time since the award's inception in 2005 that the Ballon d'Or winner has not been selected for the XI.

Kane's record and context

Harry Edward Kane is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and captains the England national team. He has scored over 500 career goals for club and country, including 91 for England.

Kane became the first English Ballon d'Or winner last month since Michael Owen in 2001, and only the fifth in history following Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen.

Voting details and full line-up

The Bayern Munich star received just 27.6 per cent of votes of all the forwards, with Haaland marginally bettering him at 28.4 per cent. Mbappe, Manchester City's Erling Haaland, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Inter Miami's Lionel Messi were named in a Kane-less front four, which also excluded Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Olise.

Defence and midfield

Kane's international team-mate, Jude Bellingham, was named in midfield alongside Barcelona star Rodri and PSG's Vitinha. Arsenal's David Raya was named in goal, with Pau Cubarsi, Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes rounding things out in a back three.

Voting period and women's team

The FIFPRO World 11 was based on performances from 4 August 2025 to 19 July 2026, while each player must have made 30 official appearances in that time period. The Independent reported that the line-up, which features a front four, does not include the Bayern Munich and England striker, despite a historic goalscoring season, which earned him the most prestigious individual prize in football last month.

Women's World 11

Seven players from the WSL have been named in the 2026 Women's FIFPRO World 11. Over 6,500 women's footballers from 64 countries voted for their team of the year, which also included five of Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses.

Lucy Bronze earned a record-breaking ninth appearance in the XI, and is joined by Chelsea team-mate, goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. Manchester City's Alex Greenwood also features in a backline that sees London City Lionesses defender Mapi Leon included.

Manchester United's Ella Toone joins a midfield that includes Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas and three-time recipient Aitana Bonmati. Arsenal striker Alessia Russo rounds out the WSL inclusions. Barcelona defender Irene Paredes, forward Claudia Pina and Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda complete the XI.

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