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.”