FIFPRO: The 26 players nominated for the best team of the year

FIFPRO officially announced on Monday afternoon (November 2) the finalists for the Team of the Year, with some of the biggest names in world soccer included on the list, following votes from more than 26,000 professional players.

A total of 26,317 soccer players from 75 countries participated in the voting process to determine the nominees for the final team, which, as is the case every year, is selected exclusively by professional players.

ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ

27.10.2026 01:13

Harry kane wins the 2026 ballon d’Or – All the awards

26.10.2026 23:58

Luis de la Fuente Named Coach of the Year

The 26 finalists were selected based on their performances between August 4, 2025, and July 19, 2026; to be eligible for this honor, players had to have madeat least 30 official appearances during that period.

The All-Star Team for the 2025–2026 season will consist of one goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards who receive the highest number of votes in their respective positions, while the 11th spot will go to the player who receives the next-highest number of votes, regardless of position.

Among the nominees are some of soccer’s biggest stars, including Thibaut Courtois, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, Rodri and Erling Haaland of Manchester City, as well as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barcelona is also represented by young talents Pau Kubarsi and Lamine Yamal, while other notable names include Michael Olise, Vitinha, Achraf Hakimi, Pedri, Declan Rice, Bruno Fernandes, and, of course, the Ballon d’Or winner, Harry Kane.

The final selections for the Team of the Year will be officially announced on Monday, November 9, at 4:00 p.m. (Cyprus time), via FIFPRO’s digital channels.

Here are the FIFPRO finalists in detail:

Goalkeepers

• Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid, Belgium)
• Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa, Argentina)
• David Raya (Arsenal, Spain)

Defenders

• Pau Kubarshi (Barcelona, Spain)
• Marc Cucurella (Chelsea, Spain)
• Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, Netherlands)
• Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal, Brazil)
• Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco)
• Nuno Mentes (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
• William Saliba (Arsenal, France)
• Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich, France)

Midfielders

• Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
• Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, Portugal)
• Enzo Fernández (Chelsea, Argentina)
• Pedri (Barcelona, Spain)
• Declan Rice (Arsenal, England)
• Rodri (Manchester City, Spain)
• Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)

Forwards

• Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)
• Kvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain, Georgia)
• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid, France)
• Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina)
• Michael Olise (Bayern Munich, France)
• Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr, Portugal)
• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)

*Source of main photo: AP