Only players vote for the World 11, which is the only worldwide player award. The number of players on the shortlist has been lowered for the first time, from 55 to 23, to reflect the normal squad size in international competitions.
FIFPRO and FIFA requested professional footballers throughout the world to nominate the three players who, in their opinion, were the best in the following positions during the 2020/2021 season: goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and strikers.
The World 11 squad includes the three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders, and six strikers who received the most votes from their peers. Two outfield players with the next-highest number of votes are also included to round out the group of 23. On Monday, January 17, 2022, during the Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony, FIFA and FIFPRO will announce the 2021 women’s World 11.
The Women’s World 11 squad consists of 23 players:
Goalkeepers:
Laura Benkarth (FC Bayern Munich, Germany) Ann-Katrin Berger (Chelsea FC, Germany) Christiane Endler (Paris Saint-Germain/Olympique Lyonnais, Chile)
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea FC, England) Lucy Bronze (Manchester City FC, England) Kadeisha Buchanan (Olympique Lyonnais, Canada) Ellie Carpenter (Olympique Lyonnais, Australia) Magdalena Eriksson (Chelsea FC, Sweden) Irene Paredes (FC Barcelona, Spain) Wendie Renard (Olympique Lyonnais, France)
Midfielders:
Estefania Banini (Levante UD/Atletico Madrid, Argentina) Barbara Bonansea (Juventus FC, Italy) Aitana Bonmati (FC Barcelona, Spain) Delphine Cascarino (Olympique Lyonnais, France) Carli Lloyd (NJ/NY Gotham FC, USA) Alexia Putellas (FC Barcelona, Spain)
Forwards:
Pernille Harder (Chelsea FC, Denmark) Samantha Kerr (Chelsea FC, Australia) Marta (Orlando Pride, Brazil) Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal FC, The Netherlands) Alex Morgan (Tottenham Hotspur/Orlando Pride/San Diego Wave, USA) Gabrielle Onguene (CSKA Moscow, Cameroon) Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign, USA)
Three players make their first appearance on a shortlist: Banini, Bonmati, and Onguene. Wendie Renard retains the record for most appearances in the World 11, having been on all five previous teams.
With three players each, Spain and the United States are the countries with the most players in the World 11 team, while Chelsea has the most club representatives with five. Last year’s World 11 consisted of Endler, Bright, Bronze, Renard, Bonansea, Boquete, Cascarino, Harder, Heath, Miedema, and Rapinoe. Two players (Veronica Boquete and Tobin Heath) did not receive enough votes for a spot in the squad.
