Spanish and English dominance in The Best FIFA Women’s 11 2025
Women’s football once again took centre stage on the global scene. FIFA has unveiled The Best FIFA Women’s 11 2025, and the list of names leaves no doubt as to which nations set the pace over the past season. As many as seven players from Spain and four from England were selected in the Team of the Year, a clear reflection of their achievements at both international and club level.
The rivalry between these two powerhouses defined the biggest tournaments of recent months. Spain and England faced each other in the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 final, repeating the script of the FIFA Women’s World Cup final from two years earlier. This time, it was England who came out on top, lifting the European title after a dramatic penalty shoot-out. Spain, however, had previously triumphed on the global stage, underlining their status as a world force.
Club football proved just as compelling. The UEFA Women’s Champions League final ended with Arsenal defeating Barcelona, further highlighting the strength of English and Spanish teams at the very top of European football.
The Best FIFA Women’s 11 2025
Goalkeeper:
Hannah Hampton
Defenders:
Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson, Irene Paredes, Ona Batlle
Midfielders:
Aitana Bonmatí, Patricia Guijarro, Claudia Pina
Forwards:
Alexia Putellas, Alessia Russo, Mariona Caldentey
How the Team of the Year was selected
The awards covered the period from 11 August 2024 to 2 August 2025. Nominees were compiled by FIFA in collaboration with key football stakeholders, while the final selection was made by a panel of experts and fans registered on FIFA.com. Votes from both groups carried equal weight, with players awarded points based on the number of votes received in their respective positions.
The winner of The Best FIFA Women’s Player was automatically included in the team, as was the recipient of The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper Award, who began with the maximum points allocation. The final shape of the XI was determined by positional limits, ensuring the most complete Team of the Year possible.
This year’s selection leaves no doubt: Spain and England are setting the standard in women’s football, and their stars continue to define the game on the world’s biggest stages.