Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has been left out of the 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World 11 despite winning the Ballon d’Or last month, becoming the first reigning recipient to miss out on the players’ team of the year since the award was introduced in 2005.
The England captain was among 26 finalists for the annual selection but failed to secure a place in the final 11, which was announced on Monday, November 9. The team was selected through voting by professional footballers from around the world, with 19,806 players from 73 countries participating.
Kane received 27.6 per cent of the votes in the forwards' category, finishing behind Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who secured 28.4 per cent. Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe led the category with 46 per cent, followed by Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, with 37.4 percent and Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, with 29.5 per cent.
The four forwards selected were Haaland, Mbappe, Messi and Yamal, leaving Kane out of a frontline that featured players from four different clubs.
The omission comes less than a fortnight after Kane was crowned the 2026 Men's Ballon d'Or winner at a ceremony in London on October 26. He became the first Englishman to receive the award since Michael Owen in 2001 and only the fifth in history.
Kane's recognition followed a prolific 2025/26 campaign in which he scored 73 goals for club and country across all competitions, helping Bayern retain their Bundesliga title as part of a domestic treble.
He also finished as the German top flight's leading scorer for the third consecutive season, while recording 14 goals in the UEFA Champions League as Bayern reached the semi-finals.
Despite his individual achievements, the votes from fellow professionals did not translate into a place in the World 11.
Elsewhere, England midfielder Jude Bellingham was included in the selection alongside Manchester City and Barcelona midfielder Rodri and Paris Saint-Germain's Vitinha.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was named between the posts, with Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi and PSG duo Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes completing the defensive line.
Messi's inclusion marked his return to the World 11 for the first time since 2023, extending his record number of selections to 18. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Yamal became the first player to earn two selections before turning 20 after also featuring in last year's team.
Kane's Bayern Munich teammate Michael Olise and 2025 Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele were also among the notable players who failed to make the final selection.
Kane's omission highlights the difference between individual recognition and peer voting, with the England captain receiving football's highest individual honour but missing out on a place in the team selected by fellow professionals.
His absence also makes the 2026 edition a historic one, ending the 21-year run in which every reigning Ballon d'Or winner had featured in the FIFPRO World 11.
