- Sam Kerr is one of 23 nominees in the running for the 2022 FIFA FIFPRO Women's World 11
- Australia and Chelsea striker has demonstrated goalscoring prowess during 2021/22
- FIFPRO outlines why Kerr is on the 23-player shortlist thanks to peer vote
Sam Kerr is on fire. The Australia international and Chelsea striker had a string of successes in the 2021/22 season, which may be topped off with winning a place in the 2022 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11.
Kerr is one of the 23 players who received the most votes from their fellow professionals and is in the running to be one of the forwards chosen for the best women’s team of 2022.
Other players in the forward category are: Ada Hegerberg (Olympique Lyonnais, Norway), Beth Mead (Arsenal, England), 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
What is Kerr’s case for being selected in the World 11? Becoming the tenth Australian to reach 100 international matches with the Matildas was an omen of another golden season for the striker in 2021/22.
With Australia she won the Golden Boot in the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, scoring seven goals in four matches. Furthermore, she beat Tim Cahill’s record of 50 goals to become Australia's record goalscorer.
Her second full season at Chelsea was also a success: she hit 32 goals in all competitions, becoming not only her team’s top scorer but also winning the Golden Boot.
Kerr was crowned as the top scorer in the last game of the season with a brace that also gave the Blues the WSL title. Kerr helped her team win the 2022 Women’s FA Cup as well with another pair of goals in the final against Manchester City.
In addition, she became the first player to score more than 20 goals in two consecutive seasons of the WSL (2020/21 and 2021/22).
Individual awards 2021/22
- WSL Player of the Season
- WSL Golden Boot
- WSL Goal of the Season
- AFC Women's Asian Cup Golden Boot
- PFA Players’ Player of the Year
- PFA Australian Women's Footballer of the Year
- Player of the Year at the London Football Awards
- Chelsea Women’s Player of the Season
- Football Writers Association Player of the Year
Kerr in the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11
Despite being one of the leading players in her position for several seasons, Kerr has never been included in the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11, which goes to show how difficult it is to win a place among the chosen few.
Kerr did come very close on two occasions: she was one of the select group of 23 nominees in 2020 and 2021.
“I just have belief in myself – just lots of confidence that in the 90th minute or whenever it is, that the team will give me the ball and rely on me. Knowing that my team trusts me gives me loads of confidence. I love those big moments – that's what I live for as a footballer”
— by Sam Kerr
The football world talks about Kerr
"Her work rate, the timing of her movement, I've never seen a forward with that quality before. She’s got a natural ability to make the right runs and be in the right areas. She is one of the best players I’ve ever coached."
Emma Hayes, Chelsea manager
"You are an inspiration globally and I'm one of your biggest supporters and always here for you on and off the park. Keep breaking records and, most importantly, enjoy the journey."
Tim Cahill, record scorer of the Australia men's national team
"She’s a phenomenal talent and an unbelievable goalscorer [with] her movement and the different type of goals she has scored."
Ellen White
When will the 2022 Women’s World 11 be known?
The 2022 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 will be officially made known at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 on Monday 27 February.
It will be made up of the 11 players – out of the 23 who made the squad list – who receive the highest number of votes in their position.
