Why Lindsey Horan could make 2024 World 11

• Horan is one of 26 finalists in the running for the 2024 FIFPRO Women's World 11

• The World 11 is the only global football award decided exclusively by the players 

• The 2024 World 11 will be revealed on Monday 9 December on FIFPRO's digital channels 

Few footballers have had the privilege of donning the captain's armband while leading their national team to Olympic gold. USA's Lindsey Horan can be proud to be part of that very exclusive list.

Horan's exploits for club and country in 2023/24 certainly did not go unnoticed: her fellow professionals nominated her as a finalist for the 2024 FIFPRO Women's World 11.

The American is on the shortlist of 26 finalists for this season's World 11, and her fellow players will be the ones to make the final decision in a vote that recognises individual performances between 21 August 2023 and 10 August 2024. There are six other midfielders nominated: Spain's Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, Brazil's Debinha, Norway's Ingrid Engen and England's Ella Toone and Keira Walsh.

Horan's 2023/24 season

Winning the fifth Olympic gold medal in US women's national team history is undoubtedly the highlight of an unforgettable season for Horan, who with her national team also won the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup and the SheBelieves Cup. At club level Horan also won the French league with Olympique Lyonnais and finished runner-up in the UEFA Women's Champions League.

In each tournament she showed her versatility in occupying different midfield positions and being as decisive in attack as she is fierce in defence.

Horan's individual achievements 2023/24

• Champions League Team of the Year
• UNFP Team of the Year
• CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup Team of the Year

Horan in the Women's World 11

Incredibly, having enjoyed a hugely successful career that has included stints with PSG, Portland Thorns and Olympique Lyonnais, Horan has just one previous experience of the Women's World 11: she was on the final 55-person shortlist for the 2019 edition. She finished ninth in the voting for the midfield position, a year in which she was a World Cup winner with USA and the World 11 midfield picks were Amandine Henry, Julie Ertz and Rose Lavelle.

Post of the Year

When will the World 11 be announced?

The 2024 FIFPRO Women's World 11 will be officially announced on 9 December at 14:00 CET. It will be made up of the 11 players – out of the 26 on the final list – who receive the most votes in their position.

This year, all winners will be presented with a new trophy that truly captures the collective spirit of the World 11.