This year, FIFPro through its member player unions collected 3,200 votes from female footballers worldwide, playing at the highest level in 47 countries. All players were invited to pick a team with, according to them, the best players at their position in 2016. The team had to consist of 1 goalkeeper, 4 defenders, 3 midfielders and 3 forwards.
THE 2016 WOMEN’S WORLD XI IS:
Name (country, current club)
Goalkeeper:
-Hope Solo (USA, free agent)
Defenders:
-Leonie Maier (Germany, FC Bayern Munich)
-Nilla Fischer (Sweden, VfL Wolfsburg)
-Wendie Renard (France, Olympique Lyonnais)
-Ali Krieger (USA, Orlando Pride)
Midfielders:
-Dzsenifer Marozsan (Germany, Olympique Lyonnais)
-Carli Lloyd (USA, Manchester City)
-Marta (Brazil, FC Rosengard)
Attackers:
-Alex Morgan (USA, Olympique Lyonnais)
-Ada Hegerberg (Norway, Olympique Lyonnais)
-Eugenie Le Sommer (France, Olympique Lyonnais)
Facts and Figures:
- The World XI includes four players who also made the 2015 World XI, which was the pilot of this unique election: Hope Solo, Wendie Renard, Carli Lloyd and Eugenie Le Sommer.
- Gone from the 2015 Women’s World XI are: Meghan Klingenberg, Kadeisha Buchanan, Julie Johnston, Amandine Henry, Aya Miyama, Celia Sasic and Anja Mittag.
- The USA has the most players in the team: 4 (Hope Solo, Carli Lloyd, Ali Krieger and Alex Morgan).
- Five players are currently at Olympique Lyon, the French champion and Champions League winner: Wendie Renard, Eugenie Le Sommer, Alex Morgan, Dzsenifer Marozsan and Ada Hegerberg.
- The closest call was between strikers Eugenie Le Sommer and Alexandra Popp, with the French attacker receiving 31 more votes than her German colleague.
- Two World XI members are on loan from their teams in the USA: Carli Lloyd is on loan from Houston Dash and Alex Morgan is on loan from Orlando Pride.
- Marta and Carli Lloyd have both been named World Player of the Year: Marta (2006-2007-2008-2009-2010) and Carli Lloyd (2015-2016).
Quotes From The Pride:
Ali Krieger (32, USA – Orlando Pride)
“I'm just honored to be a part of that group and have my name within those other fantastic players who I also look to as peers, as colleagues and role models for our sport.”
Alex Morgan (27, USA – Olympique Lyon, on loan from Orlando Pride)
“I'm extremely honored because I worked really hard in 2016 and, even though we (USA) didn't go very far in the Olympics, it's a great honour to be among some of the other names which are the best in women's football. It's a proud moment for me.”
