Controversy Surrounds FifPro Women’s World XI Shortlist as Big Names Miss Out
Eyebrows were raised on Monday when the FifPro Women’s World XI shortlist was unveiled, revealing several notable omissions that sparked conversation among fans and players alike. The 26-player shortlist, determined by votes from players across the globe, is the only award solely decided by fellow footballers, lending it a prestigious reputation.
The announcement generated buzz, particularly as five of the top ten Ballon d’Or finishers were not included in the list. Notably absent was Khadija Shaw, the top scorer for Manchester City, who claimed third place in the Ballon d’Or. Other significant absentees include Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga, Haiti’s Melchie Dumornay, Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen, and Denmark captain Pernille Harder. In contrast, England’s Ella Toone, Chloe Kelly, and Aggie Beever-Jones comprised some of the surprise inclusions.
The voting process saw participation from 6,511 women footballers across 64 countries via an online system facilitated by FifPro. The shortlisted players received the most votes based on their performances between August 4, 2025, and August 16, 2026. To be eligible for nomination, players were required to have appeared in at least 20 games during that timeframe. The winners will be announced on Monday, November 9, at 13:00 GMT, forming a World XI made up of one goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards, with the final spot taken by the outfield player with the highest remaining votes.
The shortlists have previously sparked controversy, as seen last year when Arsenal and Spain’s Mariona Caldentey missed out despite being a Ballon d’Or runner-up. In 2024, when 7,000 female footballers participated in the voting, four of the top five in the Ballon d’Or received no nominations, highlighting the ongoing debate over the criteria used to determine the World XI.
This year’s shortlist also raised questions. Shaw, the WSL Player of the Year who played a vital role in Manchester City’s league and FA Cup double, notably did not make the cut. Meanwhile, the selections of Toone, Kelly, and Beever-Jones continue to be contentious, especially since they did not feature in the most recent Lionesses’ squad and had mixed performances in terms of form and fitness during the voting period.
In contrast, Lauren Hemp of Manchester City and Chelsea’s Lauren James, who excelled at their clubs, were left off the list. Adding to the intrigue, Lyon striker Ada Hegerberg, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, made the shortlist despite a challenging season by her standards, during which she did not score in the knockout stages of the Women’s Champions League.
The FifPro Women’s World XI shortlist features the following nominees:
Goalkeepers: Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham, Germany), Catalina Coll (Barcelona, Spain), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea, England).
Defenders: Ona Batlle (Barcelona/Arsenal, Spain), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea, England), Ellie Carpenter (Chelsea, Australia), Emily Fox (Arsenal, USA), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City, England), Mapi Leon (Barcelona/London City Lionesses, Spain), Katie McCabe (Arsenal/Chelsea, Republic of Ireland), Irene Paredes (Barcelona, Spain).
Midfielders: Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona, Spain), Ghizlane Chebbak (Al-Hilal/Free Agent, Morocco), Patri Guijarro (Barcelona, Spain), Anaele Le Moguedec (Paris FC, France), Vicky Lopez (Barcelona, Spain), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/London City Lionesses, Spain), Ella Toone (Manchester United, England).
Forwards: Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, Zambia), Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea, England), Athenea del Castillo (Real Madrid, Spain), Ada Hegerberg (OL Lyonnes, Norway), Chloe Kelly (Arsenal, England), Ewa Pajor (Barcelona, Poland), Claudia Pina (Barcelona, Spain), Alessia Russo (Arsenal, England).
