Arabic version: فتح باب التصويت لجائزة بي بي سي لأفضل لاعبة كرة قدم في العالم

According to BBC News, voting is open for the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2026, with supporters worldwide able to choose from Temwa Chawinga, Ewa Pajor, Alexia Putellas, Alessia Russo and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw. Voting closes on Wednesday, 18 November at 09:00 GMT.

The award is in its 12th year and recognises performances from September 2025 to September 2026. Coaches, journalists and former professionals nominate the contenders. For the first time, the winner will be announced during the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year on Sunday, December 13, as well as on the BBC World Service and BBC Sport’s website and app.

Chawinga helped Kansas City Current secure the NWSL Shield and scored 15 goals in 2025, earning a second straight NWSL MVP award and Golden Boot. She also helped Malawi reach its first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final and qualify for the Women’s World Cup for the first time.

Barcelona forward Pajor scored twice in a 4-0 Champions League final win over Lyon and finished as the competition’s top scorer. Putellas ended a 14-year Barcelona spell after helping the club win four major trophies, before joining London City Lionesses in July 2026.

Arsenal’s Russo recorded 24 goals and eight assists in all competitions, while Manchester City striker Shaw scored 21 league goals during the club’s title-winning campaign. Shaw also won a third consecutive WSL Golden Boot and became the first player in City’s professional women’s team history to score 100 goals.