20 defenders shortlisted for FIFA/FIFPro World XI 2012

The worldwide players’ union FIFPro and FIFA today announced the 20 defenders shortlisted for the FIFA FIFPro World XI 2012 (see list below), part of the 55-player final shortlist to be revealed at a press conference in São Paulo on 29 November 2012. Three days after the unveiling of the five-goalkeeper shortlist, the 20 defenders are now known and will be followed by the 15 midfielders and 15 forwards due to be announced and published on FIFA.com on 26 and 29 November respectively. The defender shortlist is: (home country, club) Jordi Alba (Spain, Barcelona); Gareth Bale (Wales, Tottenham Hotspur); Giorgio Chiellini (Italy, Juventus); Ashley Cole (England, Chelsea); Dani Alves (Brazil, Barcelona); David Luiz (Brazil, Chelsea); Patrice Evra (France, Manchester United); Rio Ferdinand (England, Manchester United); Mats Hummels (Germany, Borussia Dortmund); Branislav Ivanovic (Serbia, Chelsea); Vincent Kompany (Belgium, Manchester City); Philipp Lahm (Germany, Bayern Munich), Marcelo (Brazil, Real Madrid); Javier Mascherano (Argentina, Barcelona); Pepe (Portugal, Real Madrid); Gerard Piqué (Spain, Barcelona); Carles Puyol (Spain, Barcelona); Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid); John Terry (England, Chelsea); Thiago Silva (Brazil, Paris St-Germain). Read the profiles of the defenders and goalkeepers, and play the FIFA/FIFPro World XI Predictor. The 50,000 professional footballers belonging to the players’ unions across the world that form FIFPro received voting forms to nominate their peers in a secret ballot for inclusion in their World XI – choosing the best goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards of 2012. The final FIFA FIFPro World XI will be announced at the FIFA Ballon d’Or gala at the Zurich Kongresshaus on 7 January 2013. During the televised gala, the winner of the FIFA Ballon d’Or for the best player of 2012 and the winner of the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year 2012 award will also be revealed. Meanwhile, the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football award and the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football award will be presented for the third time. The FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal of the year, the FIFA Presidential Award and the FIFA Fair Play Award will also be presented during the gala. FIFA