- Mary Earps is one of three goalkeepers shortlisted for the 2023 FIFA FIFPRO World 11
- The Golden Glove winner at the 2023 Women’s World Cup is looking to make her first appearance in the team of the year
- The votes of her fellow professionals will decide whether Earps makes debut World 11 appearance at age 30
No-one can doubt that Mary Earps gave absolutely everything to fulfil her dream of being world champion. The England goalkeeper played a top-class 2023 Women’s World Cup and had a big hand in the Lionesses’ achievement in finishing as runners-up. That influence makes her a strong candidate to don the gloves in the next FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11.
Earps is one of 23 players in the running to be chosen for the team of the year, with women's football players around the globe voting for their fellow professionals based on performances from 1 August 2022 to 20 August 2023 inclusive.
As with every place in the Women’s World 11, competition will be fierce with fellow stoppers Mackenzie Arnold and Alyssa Naeher also in the running for the goalkeeper position.
The 2022/23 season
The focus of attention this season was naturally Australia & New Zealand 2023, and here Earps attracted all eyes to her position: she won the Golden Glove award for the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
As well as her usual reliability and key saves, Earps stopped a penalty in the final against Spain, allowing England to dream of a comeback. Her save percentage overall was 85.7%, the highest among the semi-finalists.
With the national team Earps won the 2023 Women’s Finalissima – against Brazil – and the Arnold Clark Cup.
At club level Earps’ 14 clean sheets helped Manchester United end the season as runners-up; just two points behind Chelsea, the Women’s Super League champions. The Red Devils were the team with the fewest goals conceded (12) in the tournament. Earps was also a runner-up in the Women’s FA Cup.
She came fourth in the vote for UEFA Women’s Player of the Year. A few months earlier, she won the 2022 The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper for her performances in the 2021/22 season, culminating in the historic Women’s EURO title.
Individual achievements in 2022/23
- Women’s World Cup Golden Glove 2023
- Nominated for Ballon d’Or Feminin 2023
- Nominated for The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper 2023
- Women’s Super League Golden Glove 2023
- Member of WSL team of the year
Earps in the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11
Earps has had a long career that has seen her keep goal for Nottingham Forest, Bristol City, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Reading, and Wolfsburg in Germany – where she won two titles, albeit as a reserve – before arriving at Manchester United.
But it was only at the beginning of 2023 that she made the shortlist of 23 candidates for the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 for the first time, thanks, of course, to her performance in the UEFA Women’s EURO. Endler, the goalkeeper with the record of three consecutive appearances, blocked her path to defending the goal in the team of the year.
Now 30, Earps is hoping that this time she will finally have the chance to wear the World 11's No1 jersey.
“I did ballet, tap, modern and acrobatics as well. I used to practice the splits, handstands, headstands, flips. That helps me get into those uncomfortable positions.”
— by Mary Earps
The football world talks about Earps
"I’m a big fan of Earps. She has something that not all goalkeepers have; as well as being amazing physically she’s very strong mentally."
Carmen Arce, first goalkeeper in the history of the Spanish women’s national team
"Her best skill is her reactions, that’s her greatest attribute. And she has no fear. If she goes into a one-on-one situation or a blocking situation, she goes in with no fear. The other great thing about Mary is she can read the game."
Patrick Platins, ex-goalkeeper for Arminia Bielefeld and Wolfsburg, and Earps’ coach in her season in German football
"The way she helps this team is incredible, not only as a player but as a leader."
Alessia Russo, England international
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.
