Leah Williamson, Lucy Bronze and other Lionesses shortlisted for FIFA award

13 February 2023 , 17:26

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Leah Williamson of Arsenal during a FA Women's Super League match (Image: Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Eight Barclays Women's Super League stars, past and present, have been shortlisted for the 2022 FIFA FIFPRO World XI as part of a 23-player squad.

Arsenal trio Vivianne Miedema, Beth Mead and Chelsea are among them, along with Sam Kerr forward Lucy Bronze. Keira Walsh and Ellen White, who left Manchester United in the summer to join Barcelona, have also been included.

Former Man City forward Man City, who announced her retirement from the game after the Euros, has also made the shortlist. Mary Earps goalkeeper Mary Earps also joins 15 other female players from all over the world to make up the full squad.

The other goalkeepers to make up the shortlist include Barcelona and Spain shot-stopper Sandra Panos and Lyon and Chile goalkeeper Christiane Endler. In defence, Williamson and Bronze are joined by Barcelona duo Mapi Leon and Irene Paredes.

Wendie Renard and Ellie Carpenter, both of Lyon, also made the cut. In midfield, Barcelona's Alexia Putellas, Caroline Graham Hansen and Aitana Bonmati have been included on the shortlist.

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The remaining spots in the middle of the park are filled by Lena Oberdorf of Wolfsburg, Amandine Henry of Lyon and Kelley O’Hara of Gotham FC. Further forward, Miedema, White, Kerr and Mead are joined by Lyon's Ada Hegerberg and San Diego Wave's Alex Morgan.

Ellen White of England applauds the fans following the final whistle of a UEFA Women's Euro match (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

The nominations are based on player's performances between 7 August 2021 and 31 July 2022. The final 11 will be decided exclusively by footballers and will include a goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.

The final spot will be awarded to the remaining outfield player with the next highest number of votes. FIFA and FIFPRO will announce the Men’s World 11 and Women’s World 11 on Monday 27 February 2023.

The final awards will be revealed at the Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 which will be held in Paris later this month.

Hannah Pinnock