Super Falcons defender, Michelle Alozie, has made the shortlist for the FIFPRO Women’s XI with teammates Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Esther Okoronkwo — all instrumental in Nigeria’s 2024 WAFCON triumph — missing out.
FIFPRO, which means the Fédération Internationale des Associations de Footballeurs Professionnels, announced the shortlist on Monday.
“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 11 August 2024 to 3 August 2025 inclusive,” FIFPRO wrote in a statement on its website.
“Players must have appeared in at least 20 official matches during that period.”
Alozie, who plays for Houston Dash, was a key figure as Nigeria clinched a 10th WAFCON crown earlier in the year.
She is also part of the Nigerian team preparing for their second leg Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier against the Amazons of the Benin Republic.
Ajibade was the Player of the Tournament at the WAFCON, while Nnadozie won the Golden Gloves and was also ranked fourth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or (goalkeepers’ category).
One of the most notable absentees is Mariona Caldentey, who won the Champions League with Arsenal. The Spaniard also collected the Women’s Super League Player of the Year and the PFA Player of the Year awards
The final list – to be announced on Monday, November 3, 2025 – comprises the goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders, while the rest will be outfield players.
FIFPRO Women’s World XI Nominees
Below is a list of the nominees:
Goalkeepers
Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham, Germany)
Mary Earps (Paris Saint-Germain, England)
Hannah Hampton (Chelsea, England)
Defenders
Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, Nigeria)
Ona Batlle (Barcelona, Spain)
Millie Bright (Chelsea, England)
Lucy Bronze (Chelsea, England)
Olga Carmona (Real Madrid / Paris Saint-Germain, Spain)
Ellie Carpenter (OL Lyonnes / Chelsea, Australia)
Alex Greenwood (Manchester City, England)
Leah Williamson (Arsenal, England)
Midfielders
Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona, Spain)
Ghizlane Chebbak (Badalona / Al Hilal, Morocco)
Debinha (Kansas City Current, Brazil)
Patricia Guijarro (Barcelona, Spain)
Vicky Lopez (Barcelona, Spain)
Alexia Putellas (Barcelona, Spain)
Ella Toone (Manchester United, England)
Keira Walsh (Barcelona / Chelsea, England)
Forwards
Michelle Agyemang (Arsenal / Brighton & Hove Albion, England)
Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, Zambia)
Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid, Colombia)
Athenea del Castillo (Real Madrid, Spain)
Chloe Kelly (Manchester City / Arsenal, England)
Marta (Orlando Pride, Brazil)
Alessia Russo (Arsenal, England)
