Achraf Hakimi has been named in the FIFPRO World 11 for 2026, becoming the only African player selected for the prestigious men’s team.
The Paris Saint-Germain right-back joins a line-up featuring some of the biggest names in world football, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal. His inclusion further underlines his status as one of the leading players in his position and a prominent representative of African football at the highest level.
Hakimi was chosen in a vote involving 19,806 professional footballers from 73 countries. The award is decided exclusively by players, who select their peers based on performances between August 2025 and July 2026.
The Morocco international is named alongside Spain’s Pau Cubarsi and Portugal’s Nuno Mendes in the defensive unit. Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya completes the back line.
Recognition from his fellow professionals
The FIFPRO World 11 holds a distinctive place among individual football honours because it is determined by professional players rather than a panel of journalists, coaches or officials.
For Hakimi, the selection adds another significant achievement to an already decorated career. His place in the team is also a source of pride for Morocco and for African football more broadly, with the defender standing alone as the continent’s representative among the 11 players selected.
His inclusion confirms the regard in which he is held by footballers around the world. It also reinforces Hakimi’s position among the elite performers in his role, after another season in which he has continued to attract international recognition.
The award reflects the influence he has established since emerging as one of Morocco’s leading players. At Paris Saint-Germain, he has become a prominent figure, while his performances have continued to earn approval from fellow professionals across the global game.
Hakimi’s selection places him in a team built around players regarded as the outstanding performers of the period covered by the vote. Alongside the likes of Messi, Mbappe and Yamal, he is the sole African presence in the 2026 men’s FIFPRO World 11.
The honour comes as Paris Saint-Germain prepare to play Nice in the 11th round of the French championship.