Raya named in FIFPRO World 11, joining Henry in exclusive club
David Raya has been named in the FIFPRO World 11 for 2026, becoming only the second Arsenal player in history to make the prestigious lineup.
The team is voted for by 19,806 professional men's footballers worldwide, and Raya's selection in goal places him alongside Thierry Henry, who made the World 11 in 2006 as part of a forward line that included Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o. Since the award launched in 2005, no other Arsenal player has featured.
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Raya reacted to the news directly, saying: “Thank you guys for voting me in the FIFPRO World 11. It's incredible how you guys have voted for me. Thank you very much to everyone who has chosen me to be part of this. Keep doing your thing.”
Ballon d'Or snub still stings
The recognition comes just weeks after Raya was pipped to the Yashin Trophy, the award for the best men's goalkeeper, at the Ballon d'Or ceremony. That prize instead went to his Spain teammate Unai Simon, who started every match as Spain won the World Cup.
Raya finished second in that voting, the best finish of his career to date, but ultimately missed out on the trophy itself. His FIFPRO World 11 selection serves as a notable consolation, recognising a year in which he won the Premier League with Arsenal and played a key role in Mikel Arteta's side reaching the Champions League final.
Raya was one of only two Premier League based players included in this year's World 11, with Erling Haaland the other. Notably, Harry Kane did not make the cut despite winning the Ballon d'Or itself, with Haaland, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal instead selected as the forward line.
The rest of the World 11
In defence, Champions League winning full backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes were named alongside Barcelona's Pau Cubarsi. Jude Bellingham was selected in midfield for the fourth consecutive year, completing that unit alongside Rodri and Vitinha.
For Raya, the honour adds to what has already been a landmark year personally and collectively, with a Premier League title and a Champions League final appearance underlining his standing as one of the position's best performers. The World 11 recognition, voted for directly by his peers, reinforces that standing even without the individual Yashin Trophy to go with it.
