Barcelona have eight players on the list, including Lionel Messi, who has won the award for the past two seasons.
Nani (Man Utd), Luis Suarez (Liverpool) and Sergio Aguero (Man City) are the other England-based players named.
Arsenal's Arsene Wenger joins Sir Alex Ferguson and Chelsea's Andre Villas-Boas on the managerial list. A decision will be made on 9 January.
Rooney helped Manchester United lift a record 19th league title in 2011 - and reach the final of the European Cup.
European champions Barcelona dominate Fifa's list, with Cesc Fabregas, who spent part of 2011 with Arsenal, named alongside Messi.
Real Madrid have five nominees, including former Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo and ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.
The shortlist will be narrowed down to three names for each category on 5 December.
