FC Bayern trio make FIFPRO shortlist after votes from nearly 20,000 professional players
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FIFPRO released 26-player shortlists for both men and women categories ahead of next week's World 11 announcement. The award began in 2005, and it was held in partnership with FIFA between 2009 and 2023.
In addition to the selection of teams in men's and women's professional football, there will be an award for the best players. Despite missing out on winning the Ballon d'Or, Robert Lewandowski won the award in back-to-back years during his time at FC Bayern.
The Rekordmeister have three players in the shortlist for this year's World 11 as FIFPRO unveiled the nominations on Monday based on votes by 19,806 professional men's footballers worldwide. Harry Kane, Dayot Upamecano and Michael Olise will hope to join the previous 11 FC Bayern players who made the final list.
Surprisingly, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner has never made FIFPRO World 11 so far in his career. The striker is expected to rival Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal for the big prize after coming out top in the Ballon d'Or voting. Kane's teammates Manuel Neuer (x4) and Joshua Kimmich made the selection in past years.
Similarly, 6,511 professional women's footballers from around the world picked the 26-player list for women's football. Legendary goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger is the only German on both lists, but Catalina Coll and Hannah Hampton are the clear favorites to be picked for the Women's World 11 that started in 2015.
Full List of FIFPRO Men's World 11 nominations
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Belgium and Real Madrid), Emi Martinez (Argentina and Aston Villa/Chelsea), David Raya (Spain and Arsenal)
Defenders: Dayot Upamecano (France and FC Bayern), Pau Cubarsi (Spain and FC Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Spain and Chelsea/Real Madrid), Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands and Liverpool), Gabriel (Brazil and Arsenal), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco and PSG), Nuno Mendes (Portugal and PSG), William Saliba (France and Arsenal)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (England and Real Madrid), Bruno Fernandes (Portugal and Man Utd), Enzo Fernandes (Argentina and Chelsea/Man City), Pedri (Spain and FC Barcelona), Declan Rice (England and Arsenal), Rodri (Spain and Man City/FC Barcelona), Vitinha (Portugal and PSG)
Attackers: Michael Olise (France and FC Bayern), Harry Kane (England and FC Bayern), Erling Haaland (Norway and Man City), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia and PSG), Kylian Mbappe (France and Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Argentina and Inter Miami), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal and Al-Nassr), Lamine Yamal (Spain and FC Barcelona)
Full List of FIFPRO Women's World 11 nominations
Goalkeepers: Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany and Gotham FC), Catalina Coll (Spain and FC Barcelona) and Hannah Hampton (England and Chelsea)
Defenders: Ona Batlle (Spain and FC Barcelona/Arsenal), Lucy Bronze (England and Chelsea), Ellie Carpenter (Australia and Chelsea), Emily Fox (US and Arsenal), Alex Greenwood (England and Man City), Mapi Leon (Spain and FC Barcelona/London City Lioness), Katie McCabe (Ireland and Arsenal/Chelsea), Irene Paredes (Spain and FC Barcelona)
Midfielders: Aitana Bonmati, Patri Guijarro and Vicky Lopez (Spain and FC Barcelona), Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco and Al-Hilal), Anaele Le Moguedec (France and Paris FC), Alexia Putellas (Spain and FC Barcelona/London City Lioness), Ella Toone (England and Man Utd)
Attackers: Barbra Banda (Zambia and Orlando Pride), Aggie Beever-Jones (England and Chelsea), Athenea del Castillo (Spain and Real Madrid), Ada Hegerberg (Norway and OL Lyonnes), Ewa Pajor (Poland and FC Barcelona), Claudia Pina (Spain and FC Barcelona), Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo (England and Arsenal)
