Manchester City supporters have delivered mixed reactions after Erling Haaland and Enzo Fernandez were named among the nominees for the 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World 11.

The two players have been recognised following their performances during the 2025-26 season, earning places on a shortlist featuring some of the biggest names in world football.

However, while some City supporters have welcomed the announcement, others have questioned whether Fernandez deserves his place among the nominees.

A post shared by City Xtra on X quickly attracted attention, with supporters expressing contrasting opinions about the recognition.

Some fans described the nominations as deserved, while others appeared surprised by Fernandez’s inclusion.

Haaland’s nomination, meanwhile, attracted less controversy among the responses, with much of the discussion focusing on the Argentine midfielder.

The reaction highlights the different opinions within the Manchester City fanbase as the club continues to establish its identity under new head coach Enzo Maresca.

Haaland and Enzo Fernandez make the FIFPRO World 11 shortlist

The 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World 11 shortlist features 26 players selected following votes from professional footballers around the world.

Unlike several other individual football awards, the FIFPRO World 11 is decided exclusively by professional players.

That makes the recognition particularly significant because the nominees are selected by people who understand the demands of competing at the highest level.

According to FIFPRO, 19,806 professional male footballers from 73 countries participated in the voting process.

The voting period covered performances between 4 August 2025 and 19 July 2026. Players also needed to make at least 30 official appearances during that period to qualify.

Haaland has been nominated in the forward category, while Fernandez features among the midfielders.

The shortlist includes several established superstars, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Rodri.

For Manchester City, having two players recognised among the 26 finalists represents an important achievement.

However, the announcement has generated a particularly interesting debate among supporters because not everyone agrees with Fernandez’s inclusion.

‘Well deserved’ – Some Man City fans celebrate the nominations

Despite the criticism directed towards Fernandez, several Manchester City supporters were quick to welcome the news.

One fan, posting under the name Vvoid___, responded with a straightforward endorsement:

“Well deserved”

Another supporter, Prince Yael, shared a similar opinion:

“Good, deserved”

Danis also offered a positive reaction, writing:

“Fairs”

Although these comments were brief, they reflected an appreciation of the players’ recognition.

For supporters who believe both footballers have performed well enough to earn international recognition, the nominations are a welcome development.

Haaland’s inclusion is particularly understandable given his reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers in world football.

The Norwegian has consistently demonstrated his ability to influence matches through his movement, physical presence and exceptional finishing.

His presence among the world’s leading forwards is therefore unlikely to surprise many Manchester City supporters.

Fernandez’s nomination is another important talking point.

The Argentine midfielder has established himself among the players recognised for their performances during the eligibility period.

His inclusion alongside some of the biggest names in European football is a significant individual achievement.

Enzo Fernandez nomination leaves some City supporters unconvinced

While some fans celebrated the announcement, others were considerably less enthusiastic about Fernandez’s inclusion.

Several supporters questioned what the midfielder had done to earn a place among the shortlisted players.

One fan, KdbSZN, asked:

“Fernandez for what exactly?”

Another supporter, posting under the name stark3000, also appeared unconvinced by the nomination.

Meanwhile, Mrs Bouaddi responded with a short question:

“Enzo?”

The reactions suggest that Fernandez’s inclusion was not universally welcomed by the supporters responding to the City Xtra post.

Some fans appear to believe that other midfielders could have been more deserving of recognition.

That is perhaps understandable given the quality of competition in the category.

Fernandez is competing for a place alongside players such as Jude Bellingham, Bruno Fernandes, Pedri, Declan Rice, Rodri and Vitinha.

It is an exceptionally strong group, containing players who have made significant contributions to their respective teams.

However, reaching the final shortlist is already an achievement.

It is also important to remember that FIFPRO’s selection is based on votes from professional footballers rather than supporters or journalists.

Consequently, the final list reflects the opinions of thousands of players who have assessed performances across the eligibility period.

Not every supporter will agree with those decisions, but the nomination remains an important recognition of Fernandez’s performances.

‘Good, deserved’ – Haaland receives recognition from City supporters

Although Fernandez attracted much of the debate, Haaland’s nomination provides another reason for Manchester City supporters to celebrate.

The Norwegian has become one of the most recognisable forwards in modern football.

His goalscoring ability has made him a crucial figure for Manchester City, while his consistency continues to place him among the leading attacking players in the game.

Being named among the 26 FIFPRO World 11 finalists is another indication of the level at which he is operating.

The award also carries additional significance because it is decided by fellow professionals.

For a striker, receiving recognition from opponents and colleagues across the football world is a valuable achievement.

Haaland’s nomination should therefore be viewed as a positive development for both the player and Manchester City.

The Norwegian will now compete against several outstanding forwards, including Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, Kane, Kvaratskhelia, Olise and Lamine Yamal.

Making the final team will be considerably more difficult than securing a nomination.

Nevertheless, Haaland has earned his place among the candidates and will be hoping to turn that recognition into another major individual achievement.

Why the FIFPRO World 11 nomination matters for Manchester City

The FIFPRO World 11 is one of football’s most distinctive individual honours.

Its voting system gives professional players the opportunity to recognise those they believe have performed at the highest level.

For Manchester City, having Haaland and Fernandez among the finalists reflects the club’s continued presence at the top level of European football.

The nominations also provide an opportunity to recognise the contributions of players who operate in very different positions.

Haaland’s influence is primarily measured through his attacking output, movement and ability to convert opportunities.

Fernandez, meanwhile, offers a different profile in midfield, where technical quality, distribution, work rate and tactical understanding are important.

Both players have received recognition, although the reactions from supporters demonstrate that their nominations have generated different levels of enthusiasm.

City fans will also be interested in how the final team compares with other individual award selections.

With Rodri also included among the midfield nominees, Manchester City have another connection to the shortlist.

The club therefore has three players represented across the wider 26-player selection when considering the players listed by FIFPRO with Manchester City connections during the eligibility period.

That underlines the quality of the squad and its influence on the international game.

When will the 2026 FIFPRO World 11 winners be announced?

Supporters will not have to wait too long to discover which players make the final team.

FIFPRO has confirmed that the 2026 Men’s World 11 will be announced on Monday, 9 November.

The final selection will feature the goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards who receive the most votes in their respective positions.

The remaining place will go to the next highest-ranked outfield player.

This means that reaching the shortlist does not automatically guarantee a place in the final World 11.

Both Haaland and Fernandez will need sufficient support from their fellow professionals to secure a position in the final selection.

For Manchester City supporters, it will be interesting to see whether the two players can convert their nominations into places in the prestigious team.

Verdict: Mixed reactions, but City have reasons to celebrate

The response to City Xtra’s post demonstrates that Manchester City supporters are divided over Enzo Fernandez’s FIFPRO World 11 nomination.

While some fans have described the recognition as deserved, others have questioned whether the midfielder has done enough to earn his place.

Haaland’s nomination, meanwhile, represents another major recognition of his quality as one of football’s leading forwards.

Ultimately, the shortlist is an achievement for both players.

The FIFPRO World 11 is decided by professional footballers, making a place among the 26 finalists particularly valuable.

For Maresca and Manchester City, having players recognised at this level is another positive development.

The final announcement on 9 November will reveal whether Haaland and Fernandez can go one step further.

For now, City supporters have plenty to discuss, and the debate surrounding Fernandez’s inclusion is unlikely to disappear before the winners are announced.