FIFPRO has released a shortlist of 26 players for the 2026 Women's World 11, and just two from the NWSL made the cut.
The global players' union revealed the list on Monday, Nov. 2, one week ahead of the final 11 players being announced on Nov. 9.
The shortlist contained many of the world's top players, including Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas and runner-up Ewa Pajor.
But it was also notable for its lack of representation outside of Europe. Of the 26 players, just four were non-European: Emily Fox (USA), Barbra Banda (Zambia), Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco) and Ellie Carpenter (Australia).
Perhaps even more eye-opening was the fact that only two players came from the NWSL, generally regarded as one of the best, if not the best overall league in the world:
Orlando Pride striker Banda and Gotham FC goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.
The shortlist was even more European-heavy than the 30 finalists for the Ballon d'Or, a list that already drew criticism for omitting too many non-Europeans. Of those 30 players, only six played for clubs outside Europe and 10 represented countries outside Europe.
Notably, Jamaica and Manchester City forward Bunny Shaw, the third-place finisher in the Ballon d'Or vote, wasn't on the Women’s World 11 shortlist. Neither was Haiti and OL Lyonnes midfielder Melchie Dumornay, the fourth-place finisher.
The FIFPRO World 11 is voted on by 6,511 women’s footballers from 64 countries. The World 11 is the only global soccer award voted on exclusively by players, according to FIFPRO.
Below is the full list of nominees for the 2026 Women’s World 11.
2026 Women’s World 11 finalists
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)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 FIFPRO Women's World 11 finalists: Only two NWSL players make shortlist
