The Guardian has begun revealing its annual list of the 100 best female footballers in the world, spotlighting players from across the globe. The initial installment, published November 30th, 2025, unveils ranks 100 through 71, showcasing emerging talent and established stars alike.
This ranking arrives at a pivotal moment for women’s football, as the sport experiences unprecedented growth in viewership, investment, and professionalization. The list aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of talent, recognizing contributions both on and off the pitch, and influencing conversations about the game’s brightest players. It serves as a benchmark for performance and a celebration of the dedication and skill within the women’s game, with the full reveal unfolding in stages.
Among those featured in the first wave of rankings are Signe Gaupset, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Lily Yohannes.The Guardian’s panel of judges, comprised of over 80 contributors from 60 countries, meticulously evaluated players based on their performances throughout the year.
Readers can explore the methodology behind the rankings and meet the judges through a dedicated article published alongside the list.Previous iterations of the list,dating back to 2018,are also available for comparison,offering a historical outlook on the evolution of talent in women’s football (2024,2023,2022,2021,2020,2019,2018).For those seeking ongoing coverage of women’s football, The Guardian offers the “Moving the Goalposts” newsletter, a free resource providing in-depth analysis and reporting. The full list of the 100 best female footballers will continue to be revealed on The Guardian’s website.
