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Five world champions targeting the 2026 FIFPRO Men's World 11
World Cup performances often help shape the FIFPRO Men’s World 11, and the 2026 edition could be no exception.
Spain lifted the trophy in Canada, Mexico and the United States, and their players feature prominently among the nominees chosen by fellow professionals.
Following the announcement of the 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World 11 finalists, we look at five Spain players who helped their country secure a second world title.
The voting period ran from 4 August 2025 to 19 July 2026 inclusive. Players must have made at least 30 official appearances during that period to be eligible.
Rodri
Position: Midfielder
Age: 30
Club: Manchester City/Barcelona
Country: Spain
Previous World 11 wins: 1 (2024)
Named the World Cup’s best player, Rodri was central to Spain’s success. The midfielder dictated play for the world champions, completing a record 747 of his 799 attempted passes – a success rate of 93 percent.
He also led the tournament for touches, passes in the opposition’s half and through balls.
His club season began with his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury to his right knee, which had sidelined him for almost the entire 2024/25 campaign.
Rodri made 33 competitive appearances for Manchester City and scored twice. His influence in building play and controlling matches remained clear: no Premier League player completed more passes per 90 minutes or averaged more touches per match.
Lamine Yamal
Position: Forward
Age: 19
Club: Barcelona
Country: Spain
Previous World 11 wins: 1 (2025)
Yamal is targeting a second consecutive World 11 appearance after winning the World Cup with Spain and two trophies with Barcelona.
He scored once at the World Cup, but his attacking influence extended well beyond goals. His 35 successful dribbles were the most of any player, adding individual flair to a Spain side built around passing and movement.
Yamal also enjoyed an outstanding club season, scoring 24 goals across all competitions as Barcelona won LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup. In the league, he contributed 16 goals and 11 assists in 28 appearances.
He also led the Champions League for successful dribbles, recording 46 in 10 appearances, alongside six goals and four assists.
Pau Cubarsi
Position: Defender
Age: 19
Club: Barcelona
Country: Spain
Previous World 11 nominations: 1 (2025)
The Barcelona centre-back arrived at the World Cup as one of the tournament’s rising stars and left as a world champion and winner of the FIFA Best Young Player award.
His defending, distribution and composure – qualities already evident at club level – stood out on the world stage.
Cubarsi also established himself as a key figure in Barcelona’s defence during the 2025/26 season. He made 48 competitive appearances, including 45 starts, and scored his first LaLiga goal with a header against Girona on matchday 24.
He helped Barcelona win LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup, as well as reach the Champions League quarter-finals. In Europe, he made 10 appearances, provided one assist and recorded 19 clearances.
Marc Cucurella
Position: Defender
Age: 28
Club: Chelsea/Real Madrid
Country: Spain
Previous World 11 nominations: 0
Cucurella was one of the World Cup’s standout left-backs, combining tenacious defending with a significant attacking threat for Spain.
Against Austria in the round of 32, he provided two assists, becoming the first Spanish player to do so in a World Cup match since Korea/Japan 2002.
His World Cup performances provide the strongest case for a place in the World 11 following a difficult season for Chelsea, whose highlights included reaching the FA Cup final.
Cucurella nevertheless remained one of the club’s most consistent defenders, making 34 Premier League appearances and playing 2,710 minutes.
He is looking to follow in the footsteps of Jordi Alba, who remains the only Spanish left-back to have been selected for the Men’s World 11.
Pedri
Position: Midfielder
Age: 23
Club: Barcelona
Country: Spain
Previous World 11 wins: 1 (2025)
Pedri was a key partner for Rodri in Spain’s midfield, helping the world champions retain possession, move the ball and maintain their balance.
He led the tournament for completed passes in the final third and ball recoveries in that area, with 176 and 12 respectively. He also supplied 13 key passes.
At Barcelona, Pedri was a regular starter as the club won LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup. He scored twice and provided nine assists in 29 league appearances, adding three further assists in other competitions.
In the Champions League, he recorded a pass completion rate of 92.5 percent across nine appearances.
How does the FIFPRO World 11 vote 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.