World 11: How the player voting works

• The World 11 – voted by the players, for the players – recognises the most outstanding footballers in the current game
• It is the only global football award decided exclusively by players
• Find out how the voting process works and when the winners will be revealed

The FIFPRO Men’s World 11 and FIFPRO Women’s World 11 recognise the leading footballers in the current game – voted by the players, for the players.

First established in 2005, the World 11 celebrates the most outstanding players in each position and remains the only global football award decided exclusively by professional footballers.

How does the voting process work?

FIFPRO and its affiliated player unions distribute unique links that give professional footballers around the world access to a digital voting platform. Last year, more than 26,000 professional footballers from 70 countries voted for their World 11.

Players select the three footballers who, in their opinion, have performed most outstandingly in each of the following positions: goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward.

The goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards who receive the most votes in their respective positions are selected for the World 11. The final place is awarded to the remaining outfield player with the highest number of votes.

The Rules of Allocation can be accessed HERE.

What is the performance period?

For the FIFPRO Men’s World 11, players are judged on their performances from 4 August 2025 to 19 July 2026 inclusive. To be eligible, they must have made at least 30 official appearances at domestic top-flight or senior international level during that period.

For the FIFPRO Women’s World 11, players are judged on their performances from 4 August 2025 to 16 August 2026 inclusive. To be eligible, they must have made at least 20 official appearances at domestic top-flight or senior international level during that period.

What happens next?

On Monday 2 November, FIFPRO will release lists showing the 26 finalists who have received the most votes for the FIFPRO Men’s World 11 and FIFPRO Women’s World 11.

The 11 players within those finalists who receive the most votes in their position are then selected for the World 11; to be revealed on FIFPRO’s digital platforms on Monday 9 November from 14:00 CET.

Do World 11 winners receive a trophy?

Yes. Each year, the 11 men’s and 11 women’s footballers voted into the FIFPRO World 11 by their fellow professionals around the globe receive a trophy inspired by the Argentinian phrase ‘Abrazo de Gol’ (Goal Hug).

Each trophy is an elegant representation of the number ‘1’, symbolising the player’s status as the best in their position in the eyes of their peers. Together, the 11 trophies form a larger prize representing the entire World 11 and celebrating the power of the collective. Learn more HERE.