The footballers have spoken, as FIFPRO dropped its 2026 World 11 shortlist — tapping 26 finalists for the only award chosen exclusively by players.
The lineup features 2026 Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas (London City/Spain) and runner-up Ewa Pajor (Barcelona/Poland), alongside fellow European standouts like Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham/Germany), Katie McCabe (Chelsea/Republic of Ireland), Ada Hegerberg (OL Lyonnes/Norway), and Ona Batlle (Arsenal/Spain).
Just four non-UEFA stars got the nod. Barbra Banda (Orlando/Zambia), Emily Fox (Arsenal/USWNT), Ellie Carpenter (Chelsea/Australia), and Ghizlane Chebbak (AS FAR/Morocco) round out this year’s roster.
Voted on by 6,511 players across 64 countries, the global player union’s results reflect the game’s narrowing focus on European powerhouses.
Banda and Berger are the NWSL’s only representatives, down from the US league’s four 2025 finalists.
This year’s snubs transcend league and federation, as WSL champion Khadija “Bunny” Shaw (Manchester City/Jamaica) and decorated midfielder Melchie Dumornay (OL Lyonnes/Haiti) failed to make the cut.
