Arsenal and Chelsea dominate as six WSL players named in FIFPRO World XI

3rd November 2025 Oliver Taliku

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Six WSL players in total have been selected for the FIFPRO World XI, with Arsenal and Chelsea dominating the team. See here for the full team and player reaction.

What is the FIFPRO World XI?

Being selected in the FIFPRO World XI is one of the highest achievements a footballer can earn.

The award recognises the best eleven players in the world at the end of the season. Stars appreciate the achievement even more as it is the only one in the world where their peers vote for the winners.

Players from across the world in women’s football each select 1 goalkeeper, 4 defenders, 3 midfielders and 3 forwards to form their team.

There are no restrictions on who can receive votes for the FIFPRO World XI – with players able to vote for anyone regardless of their nationality or club.

Women’s FIFPRO World XI 2024/25

Goalkeeper

Hannah Hampton (Chelsea, England)

Defenders

Ona Batlle (Barcelona, Spain)
Millie Bright (Chelsea, England)
Lucy Bronze (Chelsea, England)
Leah Williamson (Arsenal, England)

Midfielders

Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona, Spain)
Ghizlane Chebbak (Badalona / Al Hilal, Morocco)
Alexia Putellas (Barcelona, Spain)

Forwards

Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, Zambia)
Chloe Kelly (Manchester City / Arsenal, England)
Alessia Russo (Arsenal, England)

Arsenal and Chelsea stars dominate 2024/25

This year’s eleven was dominated by two teams from the WSL, with three players selected each from Chelsea and Arsenal.

Chelsea were crowned champions of England for a record sixth year in a row after the 2024/25 campaign. The Blues still struggled in Europe though, as a Champions League title continued to elude them.

Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton both enjoyed a near-perfect year on their way to selection, with a Euro 2025 title the icing on the cake. Hampton also won the world’s first women’s Yashin Award following her summer heroics for the Lionesses.

Millie Bright was the third Chelsea player named in the FIFPRO World XI but she played no role for England this year, as instead she was recognised for captaining the Blues to an unbeaten WSL campaign.

The 32-year-old skipped out on the Euros to recover from injury and protect her mental health at the time. Bright later announced her retirement from international football in October.

While Arsenal fell to Chelsea in the league once more, the Gunners secured their second Champions League title at the end of last season.

Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly were instrumental in the Lionesses championship this year and both came up clutch in the knockouts with huge goals to earn a spot in the world XI.

While Spain’s Mariona Caldentey had her heart broken by England at the Euro 2025 final, the midfielder did the best of Arsenal’s trio in individual awards this year.

The 29-year-old finished second in the Ballon d’Or standings (Russo in third) and was named PFA Player of the Year for the WSL.

Arsenal trio reacts to FIFPRO World XI status

The England and Arsenal trio selected for the FIFPRO World XI commented on their achievement, thanking their teammates and peers.

Chloe Kelly

“I’m very honoured to be within an amazing group of players. It’s special. I’m very grateful. Being recognised by your peers – the players that you come up against, the players that you play with – is special, when you battle it out on the pitch and have that respect for each other to nominate one other for an award.”

Leah Williamson

“I think the ones that are voted for by the players mean the most. I was part of two very successful teams this year. It’s lovely. It’s one that you can trust the most. There are always names that I believe should be on the list and make you feel quite fraudulent about being on it yourself, but being voted for by the players has the most credibility.”

Alessia Russo

“It feels special when it’s voted for by players – it means everything. They’re the people you want to impress; they’re the people you play with every day. They’re the people that matter most to me and the people you want to do well for. I love being part of a team and, especially as a forward, I wouldn’t be able to do anything without other players around me.”

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About Oliver Taliku 550 Articles
Olly Taliku has worked with highly respected sports and gambling websites where he has produced hundreds of articles, as well as being published with Burton Albion and Chesterfield FC. At Burton Olly worked closely alongside the women's team, producing mainly matchday content including reports and interviews. He also has experience as an accredited Premier League and EFL writer for Prost International where he worked during the 2021/22 season to produce matchday content as an on location reporter. Olly specialises in women's football as well as long form SEO content plus news and tips. While he enjoys writing about all football, Olly supports Arsenal passionately as a lifelong fan of the club.

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