Arsenal's Katie McCabe, right, battles for the ball with Chelsea's Ashley Lawrence during a match in London, on Dec. 10, 2023.JOHN SIBLEY/Reuters
Canadian Ashley Lawrence is a finalist for the FIFA FIFPro World 11, as voted on by more than 28,000 professional players from around the world.
FIFA and FIFPro, which represents pro soccer players, released the 23 men’s and women’s finalists for the world all-star teams to be revealed Jan. 15 at The Best FIFA Football Awards in London.
Lawrence helped England’s Chelsea to the Women’s Super League title and FA Cup in 2023.
The 28-year-old fullback/midfielder from Caledon East, Ont., joined Canadian teammates Kadeisha Buchanan and Jessie Fleming at Chelsea in June, signing a three-year contract with the London powerhouse after seven seasons in France with Paris Saint-Germain.
Lawrence, a finalist for Canada Soccer Player of the Year, played in all 13 of Canada’s games in 2023, upping her career caps total to 126.
The player vote determined the women’s finalists based on their performance from Aug. 1, 2022, to Aug. 20, 2023. Players must have appeared in at least 25 official matches during that period.
The men’s finalists, who include Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, were judged on their performance from Dec. 19, 2022, to Aug. 20, 2023. Players had to appear in at least 23 official matches.
The final World 11 will consist of one goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards plus the remaining outfield player with the next highest number of votes.