Lucy Bronze has set a new women’s record with her ninth selection in the FIFPRO World 11, with Chelsea team-mate Hannah Hampton also named in the 2026 team.
The line-up was announced on Monday following votes from 6,511 professional women’s footballers across 64 countries. Bronze’s latest appearance makes her the most-selected player in the history of the women’s award.
Lucy Bronze makes World 11 history
FIFPRO confirmed the record when unveiling this year’s team. The award recognises performances across a defined period rather than a single match or the opening weeks of the current season.
For the 2026 women’s selection, players were judged on performances from 4 August 2025 to 16 August 2026, inclusive. They needed to have made at least 20 official appearances to be eligible.
Bronze is one of four defenders in the final team, alongside Manchester City’s Alex Greenwood, Mapi Leon and Irene Paredes.
Hampton joins Bronze in the team
Hampton takes the goalkeeper position for a second consecutive year. England’s announcement highlights both her Chelsea performances and her continued role as the Lionesses’ first-choice goalkeeper.
The Chelsea pair are among five England internationals selected. Greenwood, Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone and Arsenal striker Alessia Russo complete that group, according to the FA’s announcement.
The midfield also includes Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas. Barbra Banda and Claudia Pina join Russo in the forward line.
How the players chose the World 11
Professional footballers voted through a secure platform shared by FIFPRO and its affiliated unions. Each voter chose three players in each position: goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward.
The goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards with the most votes secured their places. The final position went to the remaining outfield player with the highest number of votes.
That process produced a fourth defender this year and another record for Bronze, with Hampton providing a second Chelsea representative in the player-voted team.
Watch FIFPRO’s tribute to Lucy Bronze
FIFPRO shared this video marking Bronze’s ninth selection on 9 November 2026.
No verified direct X post was found for this update. FIFPRO’s announcement and the FA report provide the source coverage.
What stands out most about Chelsea's World 11 recognition?
Archive: Lucy Bronze arriving for Chelsea v Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on 10 May 2025. Photo: Katie Chan, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and corner branding added. The adapted photograph is available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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