- Beth Mead is one of 23 finalists in the running for the 2022 FIFA FIFPRO Women's World 11
- Winning Women's EURO with England and being crowned tournament's best player among her most notable achievements
- FIFPRO outlines why she is on the 23-player shortlist thanks to peer vote
Beth Mead, at the age of 27, was the undisputed player of Women’s EURO 2022. Her integral role in England winning the continental title was so influential that her presence among the nominees for the 2022 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 seemed a foregone conclusion.
That was the view of her fellow professionals, who voted for Mead in sufficient numbers to make her one of the 23 players in with a chance of being named in best team for 2022.
Mead is in the running for a forward spot alongside Ada Hegerberg (Olympique Lyonnais, Norway), Sam Kerr (Chelsea, Australia), Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal, Netherlands), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride/San Diego Wave, USA) and Ellen White (Manchester City, England).
How does the World 11 voting work?
The 2021/22 season
Mead began the season in challenging circumstances: she had been left out of the Great Britain squad for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
But she managed to rise above the setback and finished the 2021/22 club season with her 11 goals and eight assists for Arsenal – the best figures in the team – and helped the Gunners finish second place, losing the league title on the final day of the season.
In the Women’s Champions League, Arsenal were the only English team to make it past the group phase. Mead contributed three assists. The two competitions together led to her being chosen as her team’s best player of the season.
But her golden tournament, without a doubt, was the Women’s EURO 2022: champion, best player, top goalscorer (six) and top assist provider (five). Her most memorable match was the 4-0 victory against Sweden in the semi-finals, where she opened the scoring and gave an assist.
This highly successful year earned her second place behind Alexia Putellas of Spain in the vote for the Women’s Ballon d’Or and for UEFA Player of the Year.
Individual achievements 2021/22
• Best player at Women’s EURO 2022
• Golden Boot at Women’s EURO 2022
• Top assist provider at Women’s EURO 2022
• Team of the Tournament at Women’s Euro 2022
• England Player of the Year 2022
• Arsenal Player of the Season
Mead in the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11
Although she made her debut at 16 in 2011/12 and had brilliant performances in those seasons since, this is the Whitby-born striker’s first World 11 nomination, which shows how enormously competitive it is to win a place in the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11.
Being finally chosen would be a boost for Mead, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear in November 2022 and has not yet returned to the field of play as she is still in the process of recovering.
“A lot of people have mentioned that the last year was a revenge tour for me. Actually, it’s been more of a love tour”
— by Beth Mead
The football world talks about Mead
"I have never coached a player who is as fast at it [counter-pressing] as Beth Mead. She can run 15 metres in seconds and close a player down."
Jonas Eidevall, Arsenal coach
"She shoots the ball between the posts and bar and does really well. We create chances and sometimes we want to be more ruthless, but Beth is really eager in front of goal."
Sarina Wiegman, England manager
"There’s so many rollercoasters and ups and downs in football and she’s really used this one as a great stepping stone for her to continue her development and keep getting better and better. I’m really proud of her."
Ellen White, England striker
When will the 2022 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 be known?
The 2022 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 will be made known at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022, to be held in Paris on Monday 27 February.
It will be made up of the 11 players – out of the 23 who made it to the final list – who receive the highest number of votes in their position.
