Eyebrows were raised on Monday when the FifPro Women's World XI shortlist was unveiled and several big names were missing. The 26-player shortlist was voted for by players from around the world and is the only award decided solely by fellow footballers. It is considered prestigious as a result but when the list dropped and five of the top 10 Ballon d'Or finishers were not included, it understandably caused a stir.
Among the notable absentees was Manchester City's top scorer Khadija Shaw, who finished third in the Ballon d'Or. Malawi star Temwa Chawinga and Haiti's Melchie Dumornay were also shock omissions, along with Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen and Denmark captain Pernille Harder. However, England trio Ella Toone, Chloe Kelly and Aggie Beever-Jones are surprise inclusions.
Find interviews and extra content on the BBC Women's Football Weekly feed The world XI shortlist was voted for by 6,511 women's footballers from 64 countries via an online system with FifPro. The finalists are the players who received the most votes judged on their period between 4 August 2025 and 16 August 2026. All players had to feature at least 20 times during that period to be eligible for nomination and the winners will be unveiled on Monday, 9 November ( ).
The world XI will consist of one goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards who all received the most votes in their positions. The remaining spot will be taken by the outfield player, from any position, with the next highest number of votes. Votes for a player in more than one position (for example, if they are named as a midfielder or a forward), are combined.
It is not the first time the shortlists have been controversial. Last year, Arsenal and Spain midfielder Mariona Caldentey was not included in the FifPro World XI despite coming runner-up in the Ballon d'Or. In 2024, when 7,000 women's footballers voted, four of the top five in the Ballon d'Or were not shortlisted, including the often overlooked Graham Hansen.
Instead, five Lionesses made the cut despite not winning a major trophy that year or having any finalists in the Ballon d'Or top 10. This time around the WSL's Player of the Year Shaw missed out. She helped Manchester City win a league and FA Cup double as their top scorer with 21 goals in 22 games.
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