Caledon’s Ashley Lawrence named a finalist for FIFA FIFPro World 11 all-star team

Caledon’s own 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, who hails from Caledon East, 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.

The 28-year-old fullback/midfielder, who is a finalist for Canada Soccer Player of the Year, played in all 13 of Canada’s games in 2023 to bring 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.

Editor’s note: This is a corrected story. A previous version stated Lawrence helped Chelsea to the Women’s Super League title and FA Cup in 2023. In fact, she had not yet joined the team.