Lucy Bronze Earns a Record Ninth FIFPRO Women's World 11 Selection

FIFPRO revealed the 2026 Women's World 11 on Monday, November 9, 2026. The women's team was scheduled for release at 14:00 CET across FIFPRO digital platforms. Professional players alone choose the team. FIFPRO puts it plainly: "The World 11 remains the only global football award decided exclusively by professional players."

The team was selected by 6,511 professional women's footballers from 64 countries. Players were judged on performances between August 4, 2025 and August 16, 2026, and a player had to appear in at least 20 official matches in that period to be eligible.

The team in full

In goal is Hannah Hampton of Chelsea and England. The defence is Lucy Bronze of Chelsea and England, Alex Greenwood of Manchester City and England, Mapi Leon of Barcelona and London City Lionesses and Spain, and Irene Paredes of Barcelona and Spain.

The midfield is Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona and Spain, Alexia Putellas of Barcelona and London City Lionesses and Spain, and Ella Toone of Manchester United and England. The forwards are Barbra Banda of Orlando Pride and Zambia, Claudia Pina of Barcelona and Spain, and Alessia Russo of Arsenal and England.

England and Spain dominate the selection, with five players from each country. Banda of Zambia is the eleventh player. Two independent reports of the reveal, from Women's Football Magazine and GistAfri, published the same 11 players in the same positions.

A record for Bronze

Bronze earned her ninth FIFPRO Women's World 11 selection. That is a record for the women's team, and Women's Football Magazine described the Chelsea defender as making history with the selection. She anchors a defence that also holds two Spain internationals, Leon and Paredes, and her England teammate Greenwood.

Banda scores a third straight selection

Banda was named to the team for a third consecutive year. She became the first African player ever named to the team in 2024. She remains the only African player to earn the honor more than once, and she is the only player from the National Women's Soccer League in this year's team, according to her club, Orlando Pride.

Her season explains the vote. Banda recorded 17 goals and four assists in 23 appearances for Orlando in the 2026 NWSL season. The 17 goals set a Pride single season scoring record. The old mark was 13, set by Marta in 2017 and matched by Banda in 2024.

Toone returns for a second selection

Toone was selected for the second time in her career, after she first earned a place in 2023. The Manchester United midfielder registered 11 direct goal contributions in the voting period. A hip injury kept her out between January and April, and she still made the team.

The men's World 11 was scheduled for release later on Monday. This article covers the women's team only.