US-based Malawian women’s football star Temwa Chawinga has missed out on a nomination for the 2026 Fifpro Women’s World 11 despite her impressive performances for both club and country.
The Scorchers forward, who last month became the first African to finish in the top 10 of the Ballon d’Or Féminin rankings, is conspicuously absent from the list of 26 finalists decided exclusively by professional footballers.
Fifpro said in a statement the 26 players received most votes cast by 6 511 professional women footballers from around the world.
“The Fifpro Women’s World 11 finalists are the 26 women’s football players who received the most votes from their peers for their performances from August 4 2025 to August 16 2026 included. Players must have appeared in at least 20 official matches during that period,” said the Fifpro a statement.
During the period Temwa had impressive performances for both club and country.
She made 19 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) regular-season appearances.
Temwa also featured in all six matches for Scorchers at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) where she won the Golden Boot and helped the Malawi Women’s National Football Team reach the final, securing qualification for the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
She also featured in the NWSL Challenge Cup, taking her known appearances across the three competitions to at least 26 official matches.
Football analyst Twaha Chimuka in an interview described Chawinga’s exclusion as strange.
However, he said the Fifpro World 11 is subjective because the winners are determined by votes from fellow players.
He said: “Unlike the Ballon d’Or, which is decided by journalists and technical experts, Fifpro World 11 is based on players’ vote.
“If you play in a league that is not popular, you might be at a disadvantage.
“If you look at the list, it’s full of players from European clubs.
“These players are familiar with each other from European leagues.”
Surprisingly, Zambia captain Barbra Banda, who plays for NWSL outfit Orlando Pride and finished on position 18 in 2026 Baron d’Or, has made the Fifpro list, alongside some of the biggest names in women’s football, including Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas and Ewa Pajor, as well as Arsenal forward Alessia Russo.
The final team, to be unveiled on November 9, will comprise a goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.
The remaining place will go to the outfield player with the next-highest vote.
