- The Australian star is going for her second consecutive FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11
- Her outstanding 2022/23 season with Chelsea is one of her trump cards
- FIFPRO sums up her claims to be included in the 2023 team of the year
Even though fate was unkind to her in the most important competition of the year, the Women’s World Cup, Sam Kerr is one of the top candidates for being voted into the 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 by her fellow professionals.
Her always important goals for Chelsea, as well as what her physical condition let her show during her few minutes in the World Cup, were more than enough for her peers to vote the Australian star onto the list of 23 finalists for the women’s team of the year.
Kerr is competing for her second consecutive appearance in the World 11 as a striker, a section with particularly strong candidates for inclusion. This year, forward nominees Jennifer Hermoso, Lauren James, Alex Morgan, Salma Paralluelo, Alexandra Popp and Alessia Russo are vying with Kerr to see who will make the World 11 based on their performances for the period 1 August 2022 to 20 August 2023 inclusive.
The 2022/23 season
The landmark event of the year had a bittersweet taste for Kerr. Australia/New Zealand 2023 was supposed to be an unforgettable tournament for the Aussie idol, who arrived as a Women’s Super League and FA Cup champion with Chelsea, as well as being her team’s top goalscorer.
But an untimely injury undermined the major part of her World Cup: Kerr missed the whole of the group stage and only played 10 minutes of the last 16 match. In the quarter-final against France, she again came on from the substitutes’ bench and contributed a penalty in the shoot-out that qualified Australia as World Cup semi-finalists for the first time.
Her great performance, this time as a starter, was in the semi-final against England, with a sensational equaliser. Unfortunately for Kerr, dreams of becoming world champion in her home country came to an end when the Lionesses ran out 3-1 winners.
Individual achievements in 2022/23
- PFA Player of the Year
- 2023 PFA Team of the Year
- Chelsea Player of the Year
Kerr in the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11
Despite having been among the game’s leading strikers for several seasons, Kerr only managed to win a place in a FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 in 2022, awarded at the beginning of 2023, showing how difficult it is for elite players to be voted into team of the year.
Previously Kerr had come very close on two occasions: she made the shortlist of 23 nominees in 2020 and 2021.
“I feel like I’m only just starting to play my best football.”
— by Sam Kerr
The football world talks about Kerr
"She's a threat. She's a very good player."
Sarina Wiegman, England women's national team manager
"I said all along that she's going to be one of the best footballers in the world and nobody believed me."
Bobby Despotovski, former coach of Kerr’s at Perth Glory
"Whenever we need her to score a goal she is always there.”
Guro Reiten, Chelsea midfielder
When will the 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 be known?
The 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 will be officially announced at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023, for which the gala will be held on Monday 15 January 2024 in London, England.
It will be made up of the 11 players – out of the 23 on the final list – who receive the most votes in their position.
