BBC World Service Women’s Footballer of the Year shortlist revealed ahead of SPotY debut

The BBC World Service has published its shortlist for the 2026 Women’s Footballer of the Year award, and for the first time the winner will be revealed at BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The result will be announced on Sunday 13 December at the Sports Personality of the Year ceremony in MediaCityUK, shown live on BBC One and iPlayer from 5:45pm, and at the same time on BBC World Service’s Sportsworld.

The five nominees, listed alphabetically, are:

Temwa Chawinga (Malawi and Kansas City Current)

Ewa Pajor (Poland and Barcelona)

Alexia Putellas (Spain and London City Lionesses)

Alessia Russo (England and Arsenal)

Khadija Shaw (Jamaica and Manchester City)

Public voting, which is free, opened at 06:30 GMT today following an announcement on Newsday. It closes at 9am GMT on Wednesday 18 November.

Twelfth year for the award

The award is now in its twelfth year. Nominees are chosen by an expert panel of current and former players, coaches and journalists, and this year’s shortlist is based on performances between September 2025 and August 2026.

Past winners include goalkeeper Mary Earps (England and Manchester United), striker Beth Mead (England and Manchester City), Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema, defender Lucy Bronze, formerly of Liverpool and Man City, and Scottish midfielder Kim Little. International winners have also included forwards Ada Hegerberg of Norway and Barbra Banda of Zambia, and Nigerian striker Asisat Oshoala.

On Monday 14 December, Newsday on BBC World Service radio will carry further coverage for listeners around the world.

The BBC said women’s football has grown rapidly and gained global recognition since the award launched in 2015. Presenting it at Sports Personality of the Year and on Sportsworld puts one of the sport’s top individual honours in front of UK and international audiences in the run-up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.

Women’s Footballer of the Year will form part of the live Sports Personality of the Year programme, alongside the event’s other award categories and the main award.

BBC reaction

BBC World Service English controller Jon Zilkha said: “Women’s football continues to reach new audiences and break new ground around the world so I’m delighted that the BBC World Service Women’s Footballer of the Year award will be returning for its twelfth year of championing the sport.”

He added: “Over the past year the five nominees have thrilled fans with their skill and determination, and I can’t wait to see football supporters everywhere have their say and celebrate the remarkable players shaping the game. I’m also pleased to be partnering with BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2026 for the first time, giving both a national and international platform for the award as we champion these brilliant sportswomen.”

BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski said: “BBC World Service Women’s Footballer of the Year has built a fantastic reputation as one of the biggest honours in the women’s game. Showcasing it as part of BBC Sports Personality of the Year makes it bigger than ever, bringing together football fans from across the UK and around the world to have their say.”

“The shortlist is packed with exceptional talent, and I’m excited to see who the public crowns as winner on the night,” he said.

Shaw’s record year

Shaw, the shortlist’s main contender from the North, described the past year as the high point of her career.

“From winning the league, the FA Cup, to getting the fastest hat trick in the Women’s Super League and then scoring 100 goals (for Manchester City), I would say the last 12 months has been the best of my career. It’s been incredible,” she said.

Reflecting on Manchester City’s Women’s Super League title, she said: “I would definitely say that’s one of my highlights winning the league, knowing that it’s been 10 years (since Manchester City last won the title) and we’ve been so close over the past couple of years, to finally get over the line and to lift that trophy.”