Erling Haaland has received another major individual honour after being voted into the 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World 11, underlining the Norwegian striker’s standing among the leading players in world football.
The Manchester City forward has been selected for the prestigious team for the fifth time, having previously earned recognition in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
What makes the achievement particularly significant is the voting process. The FIFPRO World 11 is decided by professional footballers, with 19,806 players taking part in this year’s selection.
Haaland’s inclusion is therefore recognition from fellow professionals who have experienced first-hand the challenge of competing against one of the most prolific strikers in the game.
The latest honour follows his eighth-place finish in the 2026 Ballon d’Or rankings, adding to an impressive collection of individual recognition.
A remarkable season in front of goal
Haaland’s selection reflects another productive campaign in Manchester City colours.
During the 2025/26 season, the striker claimed his third Premier League Golden Boot in four seasons after scoring 27 goals in the competition.
He also found the net eight times in 10 Champions League appearances and contributed to City’s FA Cup success with a hat-trick against Liverpool and an assist in the final.
Across all competitions, he finished the campaign with 38 goals in 52 appearances.
The Norwegian has carried that scoring form into the new season. At the time of the announcement, he had registered 14 goals in 14 matches across all competitions, including nine in the Premier League.
Haaland climbing City’s all-time scoring charts
His continued goalscoring exploits have also moved him further up Manchester City’s historical rankings.
With 176 goals in 212 appearances, Haaland has become the club’s third-highest goalscorer. He is just one strike behind Eric Brook in second place, while Sergio Agüero remains City’s record scorer with 260 goals.
His Champions League record is equally impressive. Haaland has scored 39 times in the competition for City, surpassing Agüero’s previous tally for the club.
Across his entire Champions League career, the striker has 62 goals in 61 appearances, placing him seventh among the competition’s leading scorers.
Rodri also makes the World 11
Haaland is not the only former Manchester City player included in the 2026 selection.
Rodri, who moved to Barcelona during the summer, has also earned a place in the team after another season of recognition at the highest level.
The final lineup features players from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, alongside Lionel Messi of Inter Miami.
Full 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World 11
- Goalkeeper: David Raya (Arsenal)
- Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Midfielders: Rodri (Barcelona), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
- Forwards: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
For Haaland, the latest selection represents another milestone in an already remarkable career. Being recognised by nearly 20,000 professional footballers is a powerful endorsement of his influence, consistency and goalscoring threat.
