The Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco full-back is among the 26 nominees for the 2026 men’s World 11, unveiled on Monday 2 November by FIFPRO. No other player from an African national team made the cut.
FIFPRO published on Monday 2 November the list of the 26 finalists for the 2026 men’s World 11. It follows a vote by 19,806 professional footballers from 73 countries, reports Hespress. Achraf Hakimi, the 27-year-old right-back, is among the eight defenders named.
He is the only player representing an African national team in the group of 26. Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen and Sadio Mané were left out, according to Foot Africa.
Eight defenders, one Moroccan
Competition in the defensive department is fierce: alongside Hakimi, Virgil van Dijk, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Nuno Mendes, Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella and Dayot Upamecano were selected, according to Hespress. The vote covers performances between 4 August 2025 and 19 July 2026, with a minimum of 30 official matches played over the period.
The list of forwards illustrates the standard of the ballot: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal are among the attacking finalists, according to the same source. Hakimi, for his part, was nominated a week after finishing 13th in the 2026 Ballon d’Or, according to Foot Africa.
A hat-trick at Le Havre beforehand
The nomination comes a few days after a stunning performance. The previous weekend, the Moroccan scored the first hat-trick of his career in PSG’s 5-1 win at Le Havre, with three goals and two assists, according to AFP and L’Équipe. Sportmag notes that he was involved in all five Parisian goals before being replaced in the 71st minute.
That performance earned him a 9/10 in L’Équipe’s Ligue 1 team of the round for matchday 9.
Final World 11 due on 9 November
The 26 nominees are only one stage: the final World 11 is not yet known. It will be unveiled on 9 November, Foot Africa specifies.
FIFPRO must therefore separate the 26 finalists by then, Hakimi included.