Shaw among big names to miss out on FifPro World XI

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that the shortlist for the FifPro Women’s World XI has prompted debate after several prominent players were left out. The 26-player list is voted on exclusively by professional footballers, making it one of the game’s more respected individual honours. This year’s names missing from the shortlist included Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw, who finished third in the Ballon d’Or, along with Malawi forward Temwa Chawinga, Haiti’s Melchie Dumornay, Barcelona winger Caroline Graham Hansen and Denmark captain Pernille Harder.

The shortlist was selected by 6,511 women’s players from 64 countries, with eligibility based on performances between 4 August 2025 and 16 August 2026 and a minimum of 20 appearances. The winners are due to be announced on 9 November. BBC Sport notes that the final XI will be made up of one goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders, three forwards and one additional outfield player with the next-highest vote total.

Several England players were also among the surprises, with Ella Toone, Chloe Kelly and Aggie Beever-Jones included despite mixed club and international form. By contrast, other in-form names such as Manchester City’s Lauren Hemp and Chelsea’s Lauren James did not make the list. The BBC article says this is not the first time the awards have drawn criticism, as previous shortlists have also omitted high-profile Ballon d’Or contenders.