Harry Kane has made an unwanted piece of football history after becoming the first reigning Ballon d’Or winner to miss out on selection in the FIFPRO Men’s World XI since the award was introduced in 2005.
The Bayern Munich striker was surprisingly excluded from the 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World XI, which was unveiled on Monday, November 9, despite enjoying an outstanding season that earned him football’s most prestigious individual award.
Kane’s omission marks a significant moment in the history of the players’ team of the year, as every previous reigning Ballon d’Or winner since the award’s inception had secured a place in the selection.
The 33-year-old finished fifth among the attackers in the voting, receiving 27.6 per cent of the votes cast by professional footballers.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé topped the attackers’ voting with 46 per cent, followed by Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal on 37.4 per cent. Lionel Messi finished third with 29.5 per cent, while Manchester City striker Erling Haaland came fourth with 28.4 per cent.
The final attacking selection featured Mbappé, Yamal, Messi and Haaland, leaving Kane outside the prestigious team despite his remarkable individual achievements.
The omission is particularly surprising considering the England captain’s extraordinary 2025/26 campaign, during which he established himself as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards.
Kane scored 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich during the season, helping the German giants secure a domestic league and cup double. His overall goal tally, including international appearances, reached 73 by the time he received the Ballon d’Or.
He also played a significant role in England’s World Cup campaign, scoring six goals as the Three Lions progressed to the semi-finals.
His Ballon d’Or triumph made him the first Englishman to win the prestigious award since Michael Owen in 2001, ending a 25-year wait for an English recipient.
Meanwhile, the 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World XI featured several established superstars, with Messi extending his record to 18 appearances in the team.
The Argentine was selected alongside Mbappé, Haaland and Yamal in an attacking line that attracted considerable attention following Kane’s exclusion.
Other notable selections included Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí, Paris Saint-Germain duo Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, alongside midfielders Jude Bellingham, Rodri and Vitinha.
Kane was not the only high-profile name to miss out, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Olise, Bruno Fernandes, Virgil van Dijk, Declan Rice, Pedri and several other established stars also excluded.
The FIFPRO World XI is particularly distinctive because it is determined through voting by professional footballers rather than journalists, coaches or football administrators. The 2026 selection involved players from 75 countries, according to FIFPRO.
Kane’s historic omission therefore highlights the competitive nature of the selection and the difference between winning football’s biggest individual honour and earning recognition from fellow professionals.
For the Bayern Munich striker, the Ballon d’Or remains a remarkable personal achievement, but missing out on the FIFPRO World XI has added an unexpected chapter to an otherwise memorable year.
