Lucy Bronze reaches a record ninth FIFPRO World 11 as Aitana Bonmatí tops the vote in a team with five Spaniards

Lucy Bronze has added another record to her career: the Chelsea and England defender has been named in the FIFPRO Women's World 11 for the ninth time, more than any other player in the history of the team of the year chosen by footballers themselves. The 2026 line-up, unveiled on Monday by the global players' union, is split almost entirely between two countries: five English players, five Spaniards and Zambia's Barbra Banda.

The team the players picked

• Goalkeeper: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea, England).
• Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea, England), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City, England), Mapi León (Barcelona/London City Lionesses, Spain) and Irene Paredes (Barcelona, Spain).
• Midfielders: Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona, Spain), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/London City Lionesses, Spain) and Ella Toone (Manchester United, England).
• Forwards: Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, Zambia), Claudia Pina (Barcelona, Spain) and Alessia Russo (Arsenal, England).

A total of 6,511 professional footballers from 64 countries voted, judging their peers on performances between 4 August 2025 and 16 August 2026; only players with at least 20 official appearances in that period were eligible. Each voter chose three players per position. The goalkeeper and the three defenders, midfielders and forwards with the most votes made the team; the final spot went to the remaining outfield player with the most votes, which is why the defence has four names.

Bronze pulls further clear of Renard

According to FIFPRO, this is Bronze's ninth consecutive selection and it extends her lead over France's Wendie Renard, who has seven. It also strengthens England's position as the most represented nation in Women's World 11 history: 33 selections since the award was introduced in 2015.

Aitana tops the vote

Aitana Bonmatí was the most backed player in the whole ballot: 3,083 votes, a 47.4% share. Alexia Putellas was close behind on 44.9%, and the third midfield place went to Ella Toone with 10.9%.

The tightest race was in goal: Hannah Hampton came out on top with 39.3% to Cata Coll's 38.2%, according to the percentages published by Las Futbolistas and Uruguay al Día. Up front the most voted player was Alessia Russo (23.5%), fresh from scoring twice at Anfield, followed by Claudia Pina (18.0%), who makes her debut in the team.

Barcelona are the club with the most representatives: five, counting Mapi León and Putellas, whom FIFPRO lists as Barcelona/London City Lionesses. Irene Paredes, meanwhile, returns to the team nine years after her first selection in 2017.

Banda, the only one from outside England and Spain

Barbra Banda is the exception in the line-up. The Orlando Pride forward earns her third selection and extends her record as the African woman with the most World 11 appearances. Her club noted that she has 17 goals and four assists in 23 appearances in 2026, and that she is the only NWSL representative. As was already the case with the list of 26 finalists, there are no South Americans.

Pajor, the most debated omission

Among those who missed out, the most talked-about name is Ewa Pajor: the Barcelona forward received 10.5% of the votes in her position, less than half of Russo's share. ESPN pointed out that the Poland striker finished second in the Ballon d'Or and was the Champions League's top scorer with 11 goals, and that Khadija Shaw had not even made the shortlist of finalists.

Sources: FIFPRO, ESPN, BBC Sport, Las Futbolistas, Orlando Pride, Uruguay al Día.