The FifPro World XI shortlist announcement on Monday sparked massive controversy. Several high-profile stars were excluded from the final 26-player selection. Because the voting process relies solely on fellow professional footballers, the result raised serious questions. Five of the top 10 Ballon d’Or finishers were missing.
- Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw missed out despite finishing third in the 2026 Ballon d’Or rankings.
- Barcelona star Caroline Graham Hansen and Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga were among the other shocking omissions.
- England trio Ella Toone, Chloe Kelly, and Aggie Beever-Jones secured surprise inclusions despite recent struggles.
- A total of 6,511 female players from 64 different countries participated in the voting process.
Controversial Omissions in FifPro World XI
The exclusion of Khadija Shaw remains the most significant talking point of this year’s nominations. Shaw enjoyed a stellar campaign for Manchester City. She netted 21 goals in just 22 appearances to secure a domestic double.
However, her prolific form was not enough to convince her peers. Similarly, Caroline Graham Hansen was overlooked once again despite her consistent performances for Barcelona. Other notable absentees include Haiti’s Melchie Dumornay and Denmark captain Pernille Harder.
These decisions mirror previous years where top-tier talent failed to make the cut. The 2026 shortlist was voted on by players worldwide. All nominees had to feature at least 20 times during the eligibility window.
Surprise Finalists and Next Steps
In contrast to the snubs, several players earned unexpected spots on the shortlist. England’s Aggie Beever-Jones made the list despite scoring only seven goals during the eligibility window. Meanwhile, Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly also featured despite recent fitness concerns.
The final World XI will feature one goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards. Additionally, one extra outfield player with the next highest vote tally will complete the lineup. This final spot can go to a player in any position.
Fans can expect the final winners to be unveiled on Monday, November 9, at 13:00 GMT. The ceremony will reveal which stars truly impressed their fellow professionals over the last year. This award remains a unique benchmark in the women’s game.
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