- Mary Earps is one of 23 nominees in the running for the 2022 FIFA FIFPRO Women's World 11
- Could England goalkeeper's EURO 2022 heroics see Earps make her World 11 debut?
- FIFPRO outlines why Earps is on the 23-player shortlist thanks to peer vote
At the age of 29, Mary Earps is at the top of her game. The Manchester United and England goalkeeper was one of the leading figures of the 2021/22 season in women’s football and her impressive form may win her a place in the 2022 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11.
Earps is on the list of 23 footballers who received the most votes from their fellow professionals, giving her a chance of being the goalkeeper chosen for the best women’s team of 2022.
Earps is in the running for a World 11 place alongside fellow stoppers Christiane Endler (Olympique Lyonnais, Chile) and Sandra Panos (Barcelona, Spain).
How does the World 11 voting work?
The 2021/22 season
At the start of 2021 not even Earps herself, who was seriously considering her future in the sport, could have imagined the success she would later enjoy. But the renewal of her contract with Manchester United at the beginning of the year was an emotional relief for her, and she gradually regained her strength, leading to a sensational 2021/22 season.
Earps' showing in the WSL defending United's goal was outstanding: the only goalkeeper to play all 22 matches, second in number of clean sheets (10) and also second in the rankings for average goals conceded among those who played more than 15 matches.
But without a doubt her defining moment was at the Women’s EURO 2022, when she was one of the great stars of an England team that was crowned champion of the competition for the first time.
The arrival of Sarina Wiegman as manager of the Lionesses in 2021 saw Earps given a first-team place which did wonders for her confidence. And Earps responded with flying colours in the top European competition: beyond her presence in the Team of the Tournament, the public remembers several key saves at crucial moments on the path to the title.
The numbers also support her: fewest goals conceded (two) and highest number of clean sheets (four out of six matches) along with Merle Frohms of Germany.
Individual awards 2021/22
- Member of the Team of the Tournament in Women’s EURO 2022
Earps in the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11
Earps has an extensive career behind her which has seen her play for Nottingham Forest, Bristol City, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Reading, and Wolfsburg in Germany – where she won two titles – before her arrival at Manchester United.
But Earps has never before been a member of the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11. This is the first time she has managed to win a place in the select group of final nominees, either the current total of 23 or the pool of 55 that was used up until 2020.
“I can't really express how much Sarina Wiegman has changed my career really. This whole year has just changed everything.”
— by Mary Earps
The football world talks about Earps
"This tournament [Women’s EURO] is so close that you just want to get your level and show how good you are. Mary shows consistency all the time for our team and that is really, really nice."
Sarina Weigman, England manager
"Mary was there to save us when we needed it."
Georgia Stanway, midfielder in the winning England team in Women’s EURO 2022
"When you think of that save of Mary’s in the Spain game [Women’s EURO quarter-finals], if that had gone in then it might have been a different story…it was one of my moments of the tournament."
Sue Whyte, first goalkeeper to play an international match (1972) with the England women’s team
When will the 2022 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 be known?
The 2022 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 will be revealed at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 on Monday 27 February 2023.
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.
