Zambia captain Barbra Banda has continued to rewrite African women’s football history after being named in the 2026 FIFPRO Women’s World 11, becoming the first African woman to earn selection in the prestigious team for three consecutive years.
The Orlando Pride forward is the only African representative in this year’s team, which was selected through votes cast by 6,511 professional women’s footballers from 64 countries worldwide.
Her latest recognition extends an extraordinary run that began with her first selection in 2024, followed by another appearance in 2025 and now a third consecutive inclusion in 2026.
According to FIFPRO, Banda’s third appearance further extends her record as the African woman with the most Women’s World 11 selections. She is also the only player in this year’s team representing a country outside England and Spain.
The achievement is another significant milestone for Zambian football and further recognition of Banda’s growing influence on the global women’s game.
A record-breaking season for Banda
Banda’s selection comes after another outstanding campaign for club and country.
At Orlando Pride, the Zambian striker enjoyed a record-setting 2026 season, scoring 16 goals to break the club’s single-season scoring record, previously set by Brazilian legend Marta with 13 goals in 2017.
She also contributed three assists across competitions, establishing herself as one of the most productive forwards in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Her impact was equally remarkable on the international stage. Captaining Zambia at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Banda finished as the Copper Queens’ leading scorer with five goals and an assist in three matches.
Her outstanding performance in Zambia’s 6-0 victory over Egypt was particularly memorable. She scored four goals, provided an assist and won a penalty, becoming the first player in WAFCON history to be directly involved in six goals in a single match.
The achievement underlined why she remains one of the most feared attacking players in women’s football.
Meet the other ten members of the 2026 FIFPRO Women’s World 11
Banda headlines a team featuring some of the biggest names in the women’s game, with Barcelona and England players dominating the selection.
1. Hannah Hampton (Chelsea and England) – Goalkeeper
Hampton takes the goalkeeping position following another impressive campaign between the posts for Chelsea.
The England international kept eight clean sheets in 18 Women’s Super League appearances during the 2025/26 season, earning the league’s Golden Glove for the second consecutive campaign.
She became the first goalkeeper to win the award in successive seasons, underlining her consistency and importance to Chelsea.
2. Lucy Bronze (Chelsea and England) – Defender
Bronze continues to add to an extraordinary individual legacy after securing a record-extending ninth FIFPRO Women’s World 11 selection.
The experienced England international has been one of the most decorated defenders of her generation, bringing versatility, leadership and considerable experience at the highest level.
Her latest selection makes her the most frequently named player in the history of the women’s World 11.
3. Alex Greenwood (Manchester City and England) – Defender
Greenwood earns her place following another influential campaign at the heart of Manchester City’s defence.
The England international was part of the City side that ended Chelsea’s six-year dominance of the Women’s Super League, winning the 2025/26 title.
Her defensive quality, composure in possession and ability to contribute to her team’s build-up play have made her an important figure for both club and country.
4. Mapi León (Barcelona and Spain) – Defender
León is recognised for her continued excellence at the heart of Barcelona’s defence.
The Spanish centre-back was part of the defensive unit that helped Barcelona reclaim the UEFA Women’s Champions League title in 2026, defeating OL Lyonnes 4-0 in the final in Oslo.
Her ability to read the game, distribute the ball from the back and defend in one-on-one situations has made her a key component of Barcelona’s success.
5. Irene Paredes (Barcelona and Spain) – Defender
Paredes returns to the FIFPRO Women’s World 11 for the first time since her initial selection in 2017.
The experienced centre-back played a significant role in Barcelona’s successful European campaign, featuring alongside León in the defensive partnership that helped the Catalan giants secure their fourth Champions League crown.
Her return, nine years after her first appearance, is a testament to her longevity and consistency at the highest level.
6. Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona and Spain) – Midfielder
Bonmatí remains one of the outstanding midfielders of her generation, earning another place in the global selection.
Although an injury kept her out of action for approximately five months during the 2025/26 campaign, the Barcelona midfielder returned towards the end of the season and was part of the squad that lifted the Champions League trophy.
Her technical quality, intelligence in possession and ability to dictate the tempo of matches continue to distinguish her as one of the world’s elite midfielders.
7. Alexia Putellas (Barcelona and Spain) – Midfielder
Putellas enjoyed another exceptional campaign, playing a central role in Barcelona’s successful European campaign.
The Spanish midfielder was named the 2025/26 UEFA Women’s Champions League Player of the Season after registering seven goals and seven assists in 11 appearances.
Her 14 goal contributions were the highest by any player in the competition, as Barcelona went on to beat OL Lyonnes 4-0 in the final.
It was another outstanding individual achievement for the two-time Ballon d’Or winner.
8. Ella Toone (Manchester United and England) – Midfielder
Toone earns recognition after another influential period for Manchester United and England.
The attacking midfielder recorded 11 direct goal involvements for United during the FIFPRO eligibility period, despite missing four months of action with a hip injury.
She also reached the milestone of 200 appearances for Manchester United in October 2025, becoming the first player in the club’s women’s team to achieve the feat.
Her creativity, movement and ability to influence attacking play remain important qualities in her game.
9. Claudia Pina (Barcelona and Spain) – Forward
Pina’s selection follows an outstanding goal-scoring campaign for Barcelona.
The Spanish forward scored 24 goals in 45 official appearances during the 2025/26 season, establishing herself as one of the most productive attacking players in European women’s football.
Her ability to operate across the forward line, combine with teammates and deliver in front of goal made her an important part of Barcelona’s attacking set-up.
She also formed part of the Barcelona side that won the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
10. Alessia Russo (Arsenal and England) – Forward
Russo earns her place after another productive campaign leading Arsenal’s attack.
The England international scored 13 goals and provided six assists in 22 Women’s Super League appearances during the 2025/26 campaign.
She also scored nine goals in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, finishing as the competition’s second-highest scorer behind Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor, who netted 11.
Her movement, physical presence and ability to bring teammates into play have made her one of the leading forwards in the English game.
11. Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride and Zambia) – Forward
Banda completes the attacking line after another remarkable year in which she delivered outstanding performances for both Orlando Pride and the Copper Queens.
Her club-record scoring campaign, five-goal WAFCON performance and historic individual achievements underline her importance to Zambian football.
More significantly, her third consecutive selection makes her the only African in the 2026 FIFPRO Women’s World 11 and further strengthens her position among the continent’s greatest-ever women’s footballers.
Barcelona and England dominate the selection
Barcelona’s influence is particularly evident, with five players in the final team: Pina, Putellas, Bonmatí, León and Paredes.
England also has a strong representation through Hampton, Bronze, Greenwood, Toone and Russo.
Banda is the sole representative from Africa, while the team also features a remarkable geographical concentration from Spain and England.
The 2026 FIFPRO Women’s World 11 once again highlights the importance of peer recognition, with professional footballers themselves deciding who deserves a place among the best in the game.
For Zambia, however, the spotlight belongs to one woman.
Barbra Banda has now achieved what no other African woman has managed: three consecutive appearances in the FIFPRO Women’s World 11.
A remarkable achievement for the Copper Queens captain, Zambian football and the African game.
