Five EURO 2022 stars that could make their Women’s World 11 debut

• 23-player shortlist for the 2022 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 to be announced on Monday 13 February
  
  
• Final 11 will be revealed at The Best FIFA Football Awards on Monday 27 February 2023
  
  
• Will breakout stars of EURO 2022 make their World 11 debut?

It’s been seven months since Europe’s finest descended on England for UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, which culminated in the Lionesses winning their first continental title in front of a packed Wembley Stadium.

The continental tournament provided the perfect platform for Europe’s leading players to showcase their talents, where a new generation of women’s players stamped their mark at the elite level.

Ahead of the 2022 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 squad shortlist being revealed on Monday 13 February, FIFPRO looks at five Women’s EURO stars who could potentially make their World 11 debut.

Aitana Bonmati

Age: 25
Country: Spain
Club: Barcelona
Position: Midfield

A key component in Spain’s midfield at EURO 2022, Bonmati played an integral role in La Roja finishing top of the tournament’s possession and passing accuracy charts – and personally boasted a passing accuracy of 91.25 percent.

Bonmati has an enviable footballing intelligence and a superb ability to anticipate play and read the game.

Did you know

Bonmati cites Xavi Hernandez as one of her main influences. A diminutive midfielder who has spent her entire career at Barcelona, Bonmati’s comparisons with Xavi are clear to see.

Giulia Gwinn

Age: 23
Country: Germany
Club: Bayern Munich
Position: Defender

No-one covered more distance at EURO 2022 than Germany’s Giulia Gwinn. The defender, who can also play in midfield, was a constant threat down the flank at EURO 2022, covering 65.2km during six matches at the tournament. Gwinn was instrumental in helping Germany reach the final.

In October 2022, Gwinn suffered yet another ACL injury. Gwinn’s first ACL injury in 2020 ruled the Bayern Munich star out for nearly a year.

Did you know

Gwinn maintains the same pre-game ritual on matchday. She said: “I always go on the pitch with my right foot first and the procedures on match day must always be the same.”

Beth Mead

Age: 27
Country: England
Club: Arsenal
Position: Forward

Mead was the star of England’s Euro 2022 triumph. As well as helping the Lionesses to their first continental title, the forward took home the Player of the Tournament and the Golden Boot after scoring six goals from six games.

Strong with both feet and renowned for her crossing ability, Mead is also well known for her relentless work ethic.

Did you know

As well as finishing EURO 2022 as the tournament’s top scorer, Mead also topped the assists chart with five in six games.

Lena Oberdorf

Age: 21
Country: Germany
Club: Wolfsburg
Position: Midfielder

At just 20 years old at EURO 2022, Lena Oberdorf displayed maturity beyond her years and established herself as Germany’s midfield lynchpin. No-one made more tackles at EURO 2022 than Oberdorf, who combines physical robustness with a fine reading of the game.

With her commanding performances in the centre of the field, Oberdorf was named the winner of the inaugural EURO 2022 Young Player of the Tournament.

Did you know

In 2019 Oberdorf became the youngest German Women’s World Cup player, breaking the previous record set by two-time tournament winner Birgit Prinz.

Leah Williamson

Age: 25
Country: England
Club: Arsenal
Position: Defender

A leader at the back for England, Leah Williamson donned the captain’s armband and skippered the Lionesses to EURO 2022 glory. A versatile, ball-playing defender who can influence the game in both defence and midfield, Williamson kept four clean sheets in six games at the tournament.

Williamson had 56 ball recoveries to her name, making her the most successful ball winner at EURO 2022.

Did you know

When not playing football, much of Williamson’s time is taken up by studying to become an accountant once she retires from playing.