Why Arsenal FC stars and Harry Kane were snubbed by FIFPRO’s World XI shortlist

Arsenal stars and Harry Kane have been snubbed by their fellow footballers as FIFPRO announced the shortlist of their World 11.

The 26-man shortlist has been picked by professional footballers from across the globe. It is understood that around 60,000 professional men’s footballers each voted for three players who impressed most between August 11, 2024, to August 3, 2025.

Kane has already scored 18 goals in 12 games for Bayern Munich this season, but his exploits have fallen outside the voting window.

And the same can be said for Arsenal’s impressive start to this season, whereas their late-season collapse of last term – which left them empty-handed for a fifth season in a row – was. As such, only centre-back William Saliba, considered among the best in the world in his position, has got the nod.

It leaves the likes of centre-back partner Gabriel, midfielder Declan Rice and star winger Bukayo Saka among the names left without recognition.

Liverpool’s Premier League title heroes in Mohammed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker do make the cut, and are joined by Trent Alexander-Arnold who left Anfield for Real Madrid at the beginning of the summer.

Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer also gets the nod for another largely impressive 12 months, capped off by the Blues winning the inaugural expanded Club World Cup.

But the nominees are dominated by Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, who lit up the European season before demolishing Inter Milan in the showpiece final.