Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg this afternoon, Jose Manuel Barroso said that nine of them were women.
He added that he now hoped the new European Commission would be in place in January.
All 27 commission candidates must be approved by the European parliament.
Mr Barroso is expected to present his full list next week, set to be dominated by conservatives and liberals, in line with national governments.
The European parliament will begin hearings for the proposed commissioners on 11 January with a view to the whole college being up and running by February.
