Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda has become the first African to be named in the prestigious FIFPRO Women’s World XI following her remarkable year in which she guided Orlando Pride to the US National Women’s Soccer League Shield and Championship.
Prior to the announcement by FIFPRO, no African women’s footballer had made the FIFPRO Women’s World XI where over 7,000 women’s footballers voted for the team of the year. The World 11 is the only global football award decided exclusively by professional footballers.
Last week, FIFPRO unveiled the 26-woman shortlist of women’s football players who received the most votes from their peers for their performances from 21 August 2023 to 10 August 2024 inclusive.
That year, Banda led the Copper Queens at their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance in Australia and New Zealand, Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), and Olympic qualifications. Banda’s selection has placed her alongside the world’s elite, such as Marta of Brazil, Alex Greenwood of England, and Spain’s star, Aitana Bonmati.
2024 FIFPRO WOMEN’S WORLD 11;
GOALKEEPERS; Mary Earps (Manchester United/Paris Saint-Germain, England).
DEFENDERS; Lucy Bronze (Barcelona/Chelsea, England), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City, England), Olga Carmona (Real Madrid, Spain).
MIDFIELDERS; Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona, Spain), Keira Walsh (Barcelona, England), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona, Spain).
FORWARDS; Barbra Banda (Shanghai Shengli/Orlando Pride, Zambia), Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid, Colombia), Lauren James (Chelsea, England), Marta (Orlando Pride, Brazil).
