The Professional Footballers' Association announced the shortlist for the Women's Players' Player of the Year award on June 5, 2026 [2].
The announcement recognizes the top individual performances within the Women's Super League over the course of the season. Because the award is voted on by fellow professional players, it serves as a peer-validated measure of excellence and influence on the pitch.
There are six nominees for the honor [1]. The shortlist includes Kirsty Hanson, Yui Hasegawa, Lauren James, Jess Park, Alessia Russo, and Bunny Shaw [3]. These athletes were selected based on their season-long contributions to their respective clubs in England [2].
The PFA awards are among the most respected honors in English football, highlighting the technical skill and consistency required to compete at the highest level of the game.
The selection process focuses on the consensus of the players themselves, ensuring that the nominees are those who have most significantly impacted the league's competitive landscape. The final winner will be determined by the votes cast by the professional community across the Women's Super League [3].
“The shortlist recognizes the season-long performances of the top women’s footballers.”
The shortlist reflects the current power balance in the Women's Super League, emphasizing a mix of established stars and emerging talents. By relying on a peer-vote system, the PFA minimizes external bias and focuses on the tactical and physical impact players have during match play, providing a definitive ranking of the league's elite talent for the 2025-26 cycle.
