- Since 2015, FIFPRO has invited women’s professional footballers from around the world to choose their World 11
- The World 11 is the only global football award decided exclusively by footballers
- See which Women’s World Cup stars made the team of the year for the first time
On a night in which Lucy Bronze and Alex Morgan made their sixth appearance, seven players were named in the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 for the very first time.
Over 6,000 women’s footballers voted for their team of the year based on performances from 1 August 2022 to 20 August 2023 inclusive, with World 11 players required to play 25 official matches during that period.
FIFPRO rounds up the Women’s World 11 debutants who made their mark not just at club level but also in 2023’s landmark international tournament: the Women’s World Cup.
Mary Earps
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Club: Manchester United
- Country: England
Mary Earps was awarded the Golden Glove at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in recognition of being the tournament’s best goalkeeper. The stopper kept three clean sheets and made a number of fine saves during Australia & New Zealand 2023, including saving a penalty in the final.
Earps became just the fifth goalkeeper to be voted into the Women’s World 11, following in the footsteps of top stoppers Hope Solo (USA), Hedvig Lindahl (Sweden), Sari van Veenendaal (Netherlands) and Christiane Endler (Chile) in being named in the global team of the year.
Alex Greenwood
- Position: Defender
- Club: Manchester City
- Country: England
Alex Greenwood was a pivotal member of England’s defence during their run to the Women’s World Cup final. A former left-back who has transitioned into a left-sided centre-back, Greenwood is a calming influence for her team-mates – yet her imposing presence on the pitch serves as a headache for opposing forwards.
Greenwood was ever-present at centre-back during England’s Australia & New Zealand 2023 campaign and helped her side to three clean sheets.
Olga Carmona
- Position: Defender
- Club: Real Madrid
- Country: Spain
Olga Carmona showed her ability to rise to the big occasions at Australia & New Zealand 2023 by bagging the winning goal for Spain in the semi-finals and final. The attack-minded left-back wore the captain’s armband in the final as La Roja claimed their first Women’s World Cup trophy.
At just 23-years-old Carmona, who only made her senior international debut in 2021, is still considered one of Spain’s most exciting prospects. But having made her club debut for Sevilla at the tender age of 15, Carmona already boasts considerable experience and know-how.
Aitana Bonmati
- Position: Midfield
- Club: Barcelona
- Country: Spain
Aitana Bonmati tasted success after success with club and country in 2023: winner of the Spanish Super Cup, the Spanish Liga F, the Women’s Champions League and the Women’s World Cup.
The diminutive midfielder’s sensational showing at the Women’s World Cup saw her pick up the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player. It’s little wonder why women’s football players around the globe selected the 25-year-old to be in their team of the year.
Ella Toone
- Position: Midfield
- Club: Manchester United
- Country: England
Ella Toone’s performances for Manchester United and England caught the eye of women’s football players across the globe, who voted the midfielder into the World 11 for the first time.
On the international stage, Toone once again showed her knack for producing goals in the big occasions: scoring the opener against Brazil in the Finalissima in April 2023 and the opener for the Lionesses in their Women’s World Cup semi-final win against co-hosts Australia.
Alessia Russo
- Position: Forward
- Club: Manchester United/Arsenal
- Country: England
Alessia Russo followed up a club campaign where she was Manchester United’s top scorer with a debut Women’s World Cup to remember for England. The 24-year-old demonstrated why she is among the world’s leading centre-forwards with particularly impressive performances for the Lionesses in the tournament’s knockout stage.
Russo’s winner against Colombia in the quarter-finals ensured England’s passage to the final four, where she once again found the net against co-hosts Australia as the Lionesses reached a first Women’s World Cup final.
Lauren James
- Position: Forward
- Club: Chelsea
- Country: England
One of the great arrivals on the international scene in 2023, Lauren James enjoyed a remarkable season at both club and international level – and her impact did not go unnoticed by her fellow professionals.
Beyond James’ outstanding performances for Chelsea, helping the blues to a league and cup double, her performances at the Women’s World Cup brought the forward to a new level, scoring three goals and registering three assists for the Lionesses.
