Unlucky to miss out? Who makes the alternative World XI?

No Harry Kane or Raphinha? Six Paris St-Germain players? A Scott McTominay-less midfield? Any team of the year selection always raises debate.

On Tuesday in Qatar, Fifa held The Best Awards and the Men’s XI was named based on achievements between 11 August 2024 and 2 August 2025.

Fifa’s team was voted for by international captains, coaches and members of the media from selected nations, but of course, only 11 players can make the cut.

Supporters often fight the case for their favourite players and there are always a disgruntled few who miss out.

So BBC Sport has created an alternative World XI of players not selected.

We have opted for the same 4-4-2 formation as Fifa’s Best XI and have not included any more PSG players because the European champions dominate the original team.

Liverpool’s Brazilian goalkeeper proved his worth once again as the Reds claimed their 20th league title – and his second at the club.

Alisson, 33, remains one of the best shot stoppers in the world and registered 10 clean sheets in 28 Premier League matches last season.

Jules Kounde has the right-back spot at Barcelona locked down, making 53 appearances for the La Liga and Copa del Rey winners in all competitions last season.

The 27-year-old played a key role in Barca’s run to the Champions League semi-finals, where they were dramatically beaten in Inter Milan’s San Siro late on.

Since signing from Lille in 2020, Gabriel has gradually worked his way into the bracket of one of the Premier League’s best defenders.

It was once thought the Brazil international played second fiddle to the talent of William Saliba beside him but Gabriel’s importance to Mikel Arteta’s side grows game after game. He is even a goal threat now!

Alessandro Bastoni has become the key man at the back for an Inter Milan side which competed in the their first Champions League final since 2010.

He started in all but one of their 15 European matches, keeping eight clean sheets along the way.

Once booed by Chelsea fans, Marc Cucurella has become a fan-favourite at Stamford Bridge for his talent and tenacity at left-back.

After missing out on Champions League football, Cucurella was one of the reasons Chelsea were able to push into the top four last season.

He was part of the team that won the Uefa Conference League in May. That, of course, came before the Blues crossed the Atlantic and became world champions.

What more can be said about Mohamed Salah?

The Egyptian produced his best season as Liverpool won the Premier League by 10 points.

The 33-year-old registered a terrific 34 goals and 23 assists in 54 games across all competitions.

Declan Rice’s progress since moving to Arsenal from West Ham for a huge £100m in 2023 has been impressive.

The 26-year-old is a stalwart in the England midfield as they build towards the World Cup but is also one of the first names on the Gunners’ team sheet.

Rice played 52 times in all competitions for Arsenal last season, scoring nine and assisting 10 times.

You would have been forgiven if you didn’t think Scott McTominay would turn into the midfielder he has after leaving Manchester United for Napoli in 2024.

The 29-year-old featured 34 times for Napoli in Serie A last season. He netted 12 times and registered six assists as the Gli Azzurri won the Scudetto on a dramatic final day.

Barcelona’s Raphinha made his feelings known on social media after missing out on yet another World XI, posting his own stats.

It’s hard to deny the Brazilian should have been included – he is a key player in a Barca side that won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and were narrowly beaten in the Champions League semi-finals.

Perhaps the biggest omission from the Fifa Best XI.

Harry Kane, somehow, has gone up a level since leaving Tottenham for Bayern Munich in 2023, finally winning a first major trophy last term.

England’s captain appeared 51 times for Bayern last season and netted an outstanding 41 goals.

Kane isn’t just about goals, though. Regularly dropping deep means he is able to use his passing ability and register 14 assists.

It’s always difficult to leave Manchester City’s goal machine Erling Haaland out of a World XI but, as it’s based on last season, Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski gets the nod.

At 37, the Pole is still one of the most feared strikers in the world and he proved that as he led the line in Barcelona’s double-winning season.

As expected, PSG dominated the Fifa Best XI with six players. Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer were the only representatives from the Premier League.