November 03, (THEWILL) — Over 20,000 professional footballers have voted to determine FIFPRO’s World XI for 2025, with the men’s and women’s lineups now confirmed.
The final selections were drawn from 26-player shortlists announced in late October, representing those who earned the most votes in their respective positions across global football.
The men’s team features Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, protected by a three-player defensive line that includes former Paris Saint-Germain colleagues Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes.
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk stands alone at centre back and is among three players who retained their 2024 positions.
The midfield quartet pairs Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, another returnee from last year, with PSG’s Vitinha, Barcelona’s Pedri, and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.
Up front, Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé, the third 2024 holdover, joins Ballon d’Or victor Ousmane Dembélé and runner-up Lamine Yamal of Barcelona in an attacking formation.
Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton guards the women’s goal, with club teammates Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright completing part of the back line. Bronze now holds the distinction of becoming the first player to appear in the Women’s World XI eight times.
Arsenal’s Leah Williamson and Barcelona’s Ona Batlle round out the defence, whilst the midfield is dominated by Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas, joined by Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak, who transferred from Barcelona to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in August.
The women’s forward trio comprises Orlando Pride’s Barbra Banda and England internationals Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly, both of whom contributed to Arsenal’s Champions League triumph last season.
The selections reflect voting preferences from thousands of players worldwide and mark another year of recognition for football’s elite performers.
FIFPRO has once again given professional players the platform to honour their peers, with the 2025 lineups offering a snapshot of current talent across men’s and women’s football.
The voting process underlines the respect held within the game for those performing at the highest level.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
