Cast your vote for BBC Women's Footballer of the Year 2026

Voting is open for the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year 2026; the winner will be announced at Sports Personality of the Year for the first time.

The BBC has opened voting for its Women's Footballer of the Year 2026 award, now in its 12th year. Fans worldwide can vote from a five-player shortlist: Temwa Chawinga, Ewa Pajor, Alexia Putellas, Alessia Russo and Khadija Shaw. Voting closes on Wednesday, 18 November at 09:00 GMT.

This year marks a historic change: the winner will be announced as part of the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year ceremony, as well as on the BBC World Service and BBC Sport platforms. The award covers performances from September 2025 to September 2026, with nominees selected by coaches, journalists and former professionals.

Chawinga won the NWSL MVP for the second consecutive year and the Golden Boot twice, helping Kansas City Current win the NWSL Shield. She also scored five goals at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, winning that tournament's Golden Boot as Malawi reached their first World Cup.

Pajor scored 16 league goals for Barcelona in Liga F and netted twice in the Champions League final victory over Lyon, winning the competition for the first time. Putellas delivered a final season with Barcelona before joining London City Lionesses in July, and was awarded a record-equalling third Ballon d'Or. Russo scored 13 WSL goals for Arsenal and won the inaugural Women's Champions Cup.