Kane’s 61-Goal Season Not Enough As Bayern Star Misses Out On FIFPRO World XI

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has reportedly become the first reigning Ballon d’Or winner to miss out on the FIFPRO Men’s World XI since the award was introduced in 2005.

The 2026 team was announced on Monday following votes from 19,806 professional male footballers across the world, with the England captain finishing fifth in the attackers’ category.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Kane secured 27.6 per cent of the votes, falling short of the players selected for the prestigious team and bringing an end to a 21-year record in which every reigning Ballon d’Or winner had featured in the FIFPRO World XI.

The omission has attracted attention because of Kane’s impressive performances during the 2025–2026 campaign with Bayern Munich. The striker scored 61 goals in 51 appearances, helping the German club secure a domestic league and cup double.

His overall goal tally, including international appearances, reportedly reached 73 before he won the Ballon d’Or at the 70th edition of the ceremony held at the London Palladium.

Kane also scored six goals at the World Cup, where England progressed to the semi-finals, before becoming the first Englishman to win the prestigious individual award since Michael Owen in 2001.

Despite his remarkable achievements, Kane was unable to secure enough votes to make the final selection.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé topped the attackers’ voting with 46 per cent, while Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal finished second with 37.4 per cent.

Lionel Messi secured third position with 29.5 per cent, followed by Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who received 28.4 per cent. Kane finished behind the four players with 27.6 per cent.

Football transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano also drew attention to Kane’s unusual absence in a post on X on Monday, November 9.

The development is particularly notable considering that Messi remained part of the 2020 FIFPRO World XI despite the cancellation of that year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony because of the coronavirus pandemic. He retained his status as the reigning winner from the previous edition.

Several other high-profile footballers also failed to make the 2026 selection. Goalkeepers Thibaut Courtois and Emiliano Martínez were among those overlooked.

Defenders Virgil van Dijk, Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba, Marc Cucurella and Dayot Upamecano also missed out, while midfielders Bruno Fernandes, Enzo Fernández, Pedri and Declan Rice were absent from the final team.

In the attacking department, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Michael Olise and Cristiano Ronaldo were also left out.

The FIFPRO Men’s World XI is determined exclusively through votes cast by professional footballers, making it a significant recognition of players’ performances among their peers.