US-based Malawian women’s football forward Temwa Chawinga retained the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or Award nomination following her impressive form for both club and country.
The organisers of the prestigious award yesterday released the 30-player shortlist for the women’s category, with Temwa earning her second consecutive nomination.
The 28-year-old striker has continued to impress at her club, Kansas City Current of the US National Women’s Soccer League, where she retained both the Golden Boot and Most Valuable Player awards in the season under review.
| Courtesy of Temwa Chawinga
In August she helped the Malawi National Women’s Football Team, the Scorchers, reach the final of the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).
The Scorchers lost to Cameroon in the final in their debut appearance. Temwa also finished Wafcon as the Golden Boot winner.
She is one of only two African players on the women’s shortlist alongside Zambia’s Barbra Banda, who also plays in the United States for Orlando Pride.
Temwa will compete against some of the world’s top stars, including 2025 winner Aitana Bonmatí of Barcelona and Spain, Selma Bacha of OL Lyonnes and France, Klara Buhl of Bayern Munich and Germany, Esmee Brugts of Barcelona and The Netherlands, Mariona Caldentey of Arsenal and Spain, Scarlett Camberos of Club America and Mexico, Kerstin Casparij of Manchester City and Netherlands, Cata Coll of Barcelona and Spain, Melchie Dumornay oif OL Lyonnes and Haiti, among others.
The Ballon d’Or is one of football’s most prestigious individual awards, recognising players for their exceptional skill, consistency and impact on the global game. Her latest nomination comes a year after she was first shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or, finishing 17th in the final rankings.
Her sister, Tabitha, who plays for Lyon of France, was the first Malawian to make the shortlist in 2024 and finished 16th.
Football Association of Malawi operations director Gomezgani Zakazaka described Temwa’s second nomination as a proud moment for the country.
“This is no mean achievement. We are always proud of her achievements and we wish her all the best,” he said.
A jury comprising journalists from Fifa 100 top ranked countries with each voting for a winner each category.
The successful nominees will be announced at the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony on October 26 in London, United Kingdom.
