Achraf Hakimi is the only African player among the 26 nominees for the 2026 FIFPRO World 11, after a season in which he helped Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco achieve major success.
The Paris Saint-Germain right-back and captain of the Lions of the Atlas was included in the shortlist announced by the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) on Monday, 2 November 2026.
The selection is based entirely on votes from professional footballers, placing Hakimi once again among the players most highly regarded by their peers. His performances and consistency during the 2025/26 season strengthened his importance for both club and country.
Hakimi played a part in Paris Saint-Germain’s victories in the UEFA Champions League and Ligue 1. With Morocco, he was involved in a campaign which brought a continental title and a run to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
The 26 players were chosen from voting by 19,806 professionals representing 73 countries. The voting period covered performances between 4 August 2025 and 19 July 2026, including the World Cup.
Hakimi faces strong competition from some of the biggest names in world football, including Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The final World 11 will be announced on 9 November 2026 at a ceremony attended by several leading figures from international football. The team will be selected without a jury or public vote.
The players with the most votes in each position will be chosen: one goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards. The final place will go to the remaining outfield player with the highest number of votes.
The 26 nominees
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid, Belgium), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa/Chelsea, Argentina), David Raya (Arsenal, Spain).
Defenders: Pau Cubarsi (Barcelone, Spain), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea/Real Madrid, Spain), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, Netherlands), Gabriel (Arsenal, Brazil), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal), William Saliba (Arsenal, France), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern de Munich, France).
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, Portugal), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea/Manchester City, Argentina), Pedri (Barcelone, Spain), Declan Rice (Arsenal, England), Rodri (Manchester City/Barcelone, Spain), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal).
Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway), Harry Kane (Bayern de Munich, England), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain, Georgia), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid, France), Lionel Messi (Inter de Miami, Argentina), Michael Olise (Bayern de Munich, France), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr, Portugal) and Lamine Yamal (Barcelone, Spain).