A vote involving professionals offers a different perspective from a supporters’ poll: players see opponents’ work up close and understand the demands of different roles. But a large ballot does not remove football’s subjectivity. A winger’s impact is easy to spot in highlights; a defender’s positioning or a midfielder’s control can be harder to compare across teams and competitions.
The men’s and women’s shortlists also invite separate conversations about who shaped the game in their respective teams. Without a single obvious measure for every position, the final choice depends on what voters value: consistency, influence in decisive moments, or excellence in a particular role.
The challenge for readers is to choose a functioning starting side, not simply collect the most recognisable names. A balanced XI needs defensive coverage, midfield control and attacking threat. Selecting a formation first can help: it forces choices about who supplies width, who protects the back line and how the forwards work together.
That is where personal ballots can diverge from the professionals’ vote. One reader may prioritise individual brilliance; another may favour players whose strengths fit neatly into a coherent system. Both approaches make the exercise more than a list of favourites.
Attention now turns to the final World XI selections-and to which names readers believe deserve a place. Pick the men’s and women’s teams with balance in mind, then compare those choices with the eventual line-ups.