Stunned football fans have questioned the exclusion of Harry Kane from the 2026 FIFPRO World Men’s XI.
Harry Kane Exclusion From the 2026 FIFPRO World XI
FIFPRO revealed the World 11 on Monday. Scores of unimpressed fans took to social media to ask FIFPRO why the England and Bayern Munich clinical finisher was left out of the star-studded lineup. Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or recently.
Kane was unstoppable in the 2025/26 season, scoring 73 goals across all competitions for the Bavarians and England. The 73 goals include the six he netted at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FIFPRO revealed that 19,806 professional men’s footballers from across the world exclusively voted for the lineup.
With a bizarre 3-3-4 tactical formation, the World 11 consists of forwards Kylian Mbappe (France and Real Madrid), Erling Haaland (Norway and Manchester City), Lionel Messi (Argentina and Inter Miami), and Lamine Yamal (Spain and Barcelona).
The three midfielders are Jude Bellingham (England and Real Madrid), Rodri (Spain and Barcelona), and Vitinha (Portugal and PSG).
The back three consists of Nuno Mendes (Portugal and PSG), Pau Cubarsi (Spain and Barcelona), and Achraf Hakimi (Morocco and PSG). David Raya, who plays for Spain and Arsenal, received the most votes in the goalkeeping category.
Fans React to Harry Kane Exclusion
Unhappy football supporters of the beautiful game shared their complaints under FIFPRO’s official X handle.
@KishMoneeySL asked:
@FIFPRO How on earth did Haaland and Mbappé make it into the Best XI when Harry Kane, the best striker and top goalscorer in Europe’s top five leagues, is nowhere to be found in the squad? You seriously can’t make this up.”
@Geoff_Anfield wrote:
“You guys are mad, what’s Messi doing there? And why is Kane not there?”
@Omar_Hayier said:
“Clear favouritism! Left out Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane but found room for a fit-the-team MLS player. FIFA boy.”
@damon415215 commented:
“So where is my Kane? You eat him?”
@Chapo___ added:
“This was voted by the players? And somehow Harry is missing. Well, that says a lot.”
Why the 3-3-4 Formation?
Looking at the World XI tactical formation, the official FIFPRO lineup has three defenders, three midfielders, and four forwards.
Why three defenders, three midfielders, and four attacking players? In most cases, the most-favoured tactical shape in the world is the 4-3-3, with four defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards.
Also, according to our careful analysis of the professional players’ votes, Arsenal and Brazil defender Gabriel should have been named in the back four. Haaland should bot have been in the team.
FIFPRO World XI lineup chosen by SportPurse (4-3-3): Raya; Hakimi, Gabriel, Cubarsi, Mendes; Vitinha, Rodri, Bellingham; Yamal, Messi, Mbappé.
Also Read: France 2-1 Iceland: Kylian Mbappé makes history in 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier
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