FIFA The Best 2025 Best XI: Premier League Falls Behind

FIFA has officially revealed the Best XI lineup as part of The Best Awards ceremony, instantly sparking widespread debate in the international football community.

Most notably, only three players currently active in the Premier League were selected, despite the league still being regarded as one of the toughest and most competitive worldwide.

According to FIFA’s announcement, the Best XI is arranged in a 4-4-2 formation, featuring the top performers based on their professional form and conduct over the year. The three Premier League representatives are Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Chelsea’s rising star Cole Palmer. This number is considered modest compared to the significant influence English football has had over many years.

On the other hand, PSG became the focal point by dominating the Best XI with numerous familiar names. Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, and Achraf Hakimi guard the defense, while Vitinha is featured in midfield. Donnarumma continues to be honored as goalkeeper for his consistent and high-class performances with the French club. PSG’s spectacular success in the 2024/25 season, winning the treble of the Champions League, Ligue 1, and the French Cup, is seen as the key factor behind their dominance in FIFA’s Best XI.

Up front, Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal form a formidable striking partnership. Dembele capped off a remarkable year by winning the FIFA Men’s Best Player awardwhich perfectly complemented his earlier Ballon d’Or triumph. Meanwhile, Yamal continues to affirm his status as one of the most promising young talents in modern football.

The midfield also attracted attention with the presence of Jude Bellingham, the English star shining at Real Madrid. He partners with Vitinha centrally, while Cole Palmer and Pedri operate on the wings. Palmer’s inclusion is seen as a rare highlight for the Premier League, especially given that many top stars like Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, and Raphinha were excluded from the Best XI.

The FIFA Best XI also stirred controversy, as several outstanding performers from last season were left out. Notable absences include stars such as Mohamed Salah, Raphinha, and Erling Haalandwho all delivered excellent performances in the 2024-25 season but were still omitted from FIFA’s Best XI.

FIFA states that The Best awards are judged based on on-field performance as well as the behavior and image of players and coaches both on and off the pitch. However, the fact that only three Premier League players were selected still raises questions among fans, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching and the individual award competition intensifying.