Karen Carney Wins PFA Merit Award 2026 Alongside Kenny Dalglish | OneFootball

Karen Carney has won the Professional Footballers’ Association’s merit award for 2026, alongside Sir Kenny Dalglish, in recognition of her lasting contribution to football. The award places the former England and Arsenal midfielder alongside previous winners Sir Gareth Southgate and Emma Hayes.

According to BBC Sport, the PFA Awards ceremony takes place in Manchester on Tuesday evening, where the men’s and women’s players’ player of the year winners will also be announced.

A playing career built on silverware and Lionesses caps

Carney enjoyed an 18-year playing career at the highest level, representing Birmingham City, Arsenal, Chicago Red Stars and Chelsea. She was part of the Arsenal side that completed a historic quadruple in 2006-07, lifting the league, FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Women’s Cup, the forerunner to the Women’s Champions League. She later spent two seasons with Chicago Red Stars before returning to her home club Birmingham City in 2011, scoring the extra-time equaliser as the club won the FA Cup the following season.

Karen Carney playing for Arsenal Women.

A move to Chelsea in late 2015 brought a WSL and FA Cup double in 2017-18, and Carney later served as club captain before retiring in 2019. On the international stage, she made her England debut aged 17 in 2005, going on to score 32 goals in 144 appearances and help the Lionesses finish third at the 2015 World Cup, having also been part of the England side that finished runners-up at the 2009 European Championships. She represented England at four World Cups and four European Championships, and also represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics.

From the pitch to the ballroom and the boardroom

Since hanging up her boots, Carney, 39, has built a career as a broadcaster and analyst while also taking on an off-field role. She was appointed by the UK Government to chair an independent review into the future of domestic women’s football, published in 2023.

Her broadcasting profile has also taken her well beyond the football pitch. Carney became the 23rd winner of Strictly Come Dancing, lifting the glitter-ball trophy alongside professional partner Carlos Gu, and also picked up the show’s best VT and best dance awards for her performance along the way.

Football pundit Karen Carney reporting from the sidelines.

According to the PFA, that review made 10 strategic recommendations covering professional standards, player welfare, union representation, the talent pathway and the long-term commercial development of the women’s game. The Government subsequently accepted all 10 recommendations.

The PFA also notes that Carney was awarded an MBE in 2017, elevated to an OBE in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours, and became an investor in Birmingham City Women in February 2026, the club where her senior career began.

What comes next

Tuesday’s ceremony will also confirm this year’s player of the year winners, while Carney’s merit award recognises her contribution as a player and her continued influence on the women’s game.