Two-time world champion and 2012 gold-medalist Megan Rapinoe and former U.S. national team coach Jill Ellis are among those named to the Women’s International Champions Cup’s inaugural Best XI recognizing those who are doing the most to advance women’s soccer.
The list includes 10 women and one man (Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas).
The other women include two players, Brazil’s Marta and France’s Wendie Renard, German referee Bibiana Steinhaus, executives Kelly Simmons (English FA), Moya Dodd (former FIFA executive committee and council member) and Sarai Bareman (FIFA), journalist Meg Linehan (The Athletic) and activist Khalida Popal (former captain of the Afghanistan women’s national team).
“The eleven individuals selected have played a large role in the recent explosive growth of women’s soccer around the world,” said Susie Fiore, who leads the WICC. “The achievements of the Best XI warrant recognition and we are honored to share their stories with sports fans globally.”