Lucy Bronze has been named in the FIFPRO Women's World 11 for a record ninth time, underlining a career that has kept her at the very top of the women's game for almost a decade. The Chelsea and England right-back was one of five Lionesses included in the 2026 team, which was announced on Monday 9 November.

No other woman has ever been selected nine times. Bronze had already appeared in eight consecutive editions of the World 11 between 2017 and 2025, and her latest selection takes her past every other player in the history of the women's award. It is a remarkable run of consistency for a defender who has spent her career winning trophies at club level and major honours with England.

A record no other woman has reached

The World 11 is the only global football award decided exclusively by professional players, which makes the recognition especially meaningful. This year's women's team was voted for by 6,511 female footballers from 64 countries, who judged performances between 4 August 2025 and 16 August 2026. Only players with at least 20 official appearances in that period were eligible.

Bronze, 35, has continued to add to an extraordinary international career during the 2025-26 season. She reached 145 senior appearances for England in March 2026, making her the Lionesses' third-most-capped player. At club level she remains a key figure for Chelsea, where she plays alongside fellow World 11 goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.

The award caps another strong year for Bronze, who has been a fixture in Sarina Wiegman's England side throughout the current cycle. Her durability and level of performance have been central to her longevity, and the votes of her fellow professionals suggest she is still regarded as the benchmark right-back in the world game.

Five Lionesses in the team

England provided five of the eleven players in the women's team, a reflection of the Lionesses' strength in depth. Hampton was named in goal for the second consecutive year after another impressive campaign for Chelsea and her continued role as England's first-choice goalkeeper.

Alex Greenwood earned her third selection, having also featured in 2023 and 2024. The Manchester City captain enjoyed an outstanding 2025-26 campaign, helping her club win the Women's Super League title and the Women's FA Cup. Ella Toone made her second appearance after her 2023 selection, having reached 200 appearances for Manchester United in October last year and scored 24 senior international goals from 69 caps.

Alessia Russo completed the English contingent with her third selection, after featuring in 2023 and 2025. The 27-year-old Arsenal forward was prolific in league and cup action throughout 2025-26, featured in all ten of the Lionesses' matches and scored five goals, starting nine of those games including all six of England's FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 qualifying fixtures.

Aggie Beever-Jones and Chloe Kelly also made the shortlist of 26 players for this year's award, underlining how many England players are now rated among the best in the world by their peers.

How the team lines up

The full 2026 FIFPRO Women's World 11 reads: Hannah Hampton in goal; Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Mapi Leon and Irene Paredes in defence; Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas and Ella Toone in midfield; and Barbra Banda, Claudia Pina and Alessia Russo in attack.

Spain provided five players, with Leon, Paredes, Bonmati, Putellas and Pina all selected. Zambia striker Barbra Banda was the only player in the team from outside England and Spain, earning her third selection and extending her record as the most-selected African woman in the award's history.

Messi extends his record as Kane misses out

In the men's team, Lionel Messi returned for a record-extending 18th selection, while Lamine Yamal became the first player to be chosen twice while still a teenager. Harry Kane, the recent Ballon d'Or winner, missed out on a place in the four-man attack, receiving 0.8 percent fewer votes than Erling Haaland.

The men's team was voted for by 19,806 professionals across 73 countries. The only two Premier League players included were Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and Haaland, while Jude Bellingham was the lone English player in the side after impressing for Real Madrid and at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.