Alessia Russo Selected for 2026 FIFPRO Women’s World 11, Leading Arsenal Representation
Alessia Russo has secured a spot in the 2026 FIFPRO Women’s World 11, becoming the only representative from Arsenal to make the final team after four players were initially shortlisted.
Russo occupies one of the three forward positions, joining Claudia Pina from Barcelona and Barbra Banda of Orlando Pride.
Her inclusion was announced on Monday, after a vote involving 6,511 women players from 64 countries, highlighting Russo’s recognition from her professional peers.
Ona Batlle, Emily Fox, and Chloe Kelly were also on the shortlist but did not make the final XI.
Russo’s achievement adds to her impressive collection of individual accolades. She was recently named England Women’s Player of the Year and was selected for the Champions League Team of the Season, following an impressive run where she scored nine goals in 12 European matches last season.
The FIFPRO World 11 is distinct from awards determined by journalists or fan votes, as it is solely selected by professional players. Voters chose their top three performers in each category—goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and forward—and the selections were made based on total votes, with the highest-ranked players earning their places.
This year, the selection process involved a voting period that lasted from August 4, 2025, to August 16, 2026, with players needing to have made at least 20 official appearances.
Russo joins several of her England teammates in the final squad. Hannah Hampton of Chelsea was named as the goalkeeper, while defenders included Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood, with Ella Toone from Manchester United rounding out the midfield.
Russo has also been nominated for the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.
