Lucy Bronze earns record ninth selection in Fifpro Women's World 11

Lucy Bronze has been named in the Fifpro Women's World 11 for a record ninth time, leading a group of five England players selected for the team. BBC Sport reported that the Chelsea defender was joined by international team-mates Hannah Hampton, Alex Greenwood, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo in the player-voted line-up.

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The award drew votes from 6,511 female players across 64 countries. According to the BBC, the World 11 is the only global football award decided exclusively by players. This selection assessed performances from 4 August 2025 to 16 August 2026, with eligibility restricted to players who had made at least 20 appearances during the assessment period.

Chelsea and England goalkeeper Hampton takes the place in goal. Bronze is joined in defence by Manchester City's Greenwood and Spain internationals Mapi Leon and Irene Paredes. The published team lists Leon with Barcelona and London City Lionesses, while Paredes is listed with Barcelona. Paredes returns to the World 11 for the first time since her previous selection in 2017.

The midfield consists of Spain's Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas alongside Manchester United's Toone. Bonmati is listed with Barcelona, while Putellas is listed with Barcelona and London City Lionesses. In attack, Arsenal's Russo joins Barcelona forward Claudia Pina and Orlando Pride striker Barbra Banda. The five England representatives are therefore spread across all four positional categories used in the voting.

Zambia international Banda has been selected for the third time. She is also the only member of this World 11 based outside England or Spain, with Orlando Pride her club. Her inclusion completes a forward line containing players representing three different countries: Zambia, Spain and England.

The voting process asked professionals to identify their three leading performers in each of four positions: goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward. The highest-polling goalkeeper and three players from each outfield category earned places. The remaining spot went to the outfield player with the next-largest vote total, irrespective of position. That final-place rule produced a team with four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards alongside Hampton.