The 10 best women’s players in Football Manager 26 with Khadija Shaw in the top three | OneFootball

Khadija Shaw is Manchester City’s all-time top scorer

The 10 best women’s players in Football Manager 26 have been leaked on social media, and here SheKicks takes a look at the list of the top footballers by current ability in the game.

How do ratings work in Football Manager 26?

The rating system works differently to EA FC 26, where players are rated out of 100.

In Football Manager, players are given current ability and potential ability ratings, which are both out of 200.

Individual attributes are also applied to each player, which are ranked to a maximum of 20.

The current ability score can only be seen via the pre-game and in-game editors, which go live when the game is officially launched on November 4th.

The beta launch went live last week for those who pre-ordered the game, allowing players to start their new saves early.

Although the pre-game editor was not supposed to launch until November 4th, some FM26 players were able to get their hands on the editor early. This had led to a list being leaked on social media of the best women’s players in the game.

Here, SheKicks takes a look at the leaked list of the 10 best women’s players on Football Manager 26.

Best women’s players on Football Manager 26

10. Naomi Girma (Chelsea)

Credit: Sports Interactive/Football Manager 26

The leaked list of the best women’s players in FM26 have Chelsea’s January transfer window signing, Naomi Girma, as the highest-rated defender in the game.

The 25-year-old USA international has some excellent defensive statistics with an 18 (out of 20) for tackling, 19 for marking and 17 for positioning.

She also has plenty of energy with an 18 rating for stamina and can play from the back with a passing ability of 16.

9. Patri Guijarro (Barcelona)

Barcelona’s 27-year-old Patri Guijarro is the best defensive midfielder in the game. This comes as no surprise after her excellent performances last season and at Euro 2025.

Though not one of the quickest or most energetic players, she has excellent passing (18) and technique (17).

Her off-the-ball movement (16), teamwork (16), and decision-making (18) make her one of the most valuable players in the game.

8. Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride)

Barbra Banda is one of the best finishers and headers in FM26, with ratings of 18 for both.

Her anticipation (17) is impressive, as are her decision-making (16), determination (18), and work rate (18).

The only drawback is that she starts FM26 with a hip injury that will rule her out for five to seven months.

In reality, the Orlando Pride striker was ruled out for the rest of the season in August, after she previously fired them to their first NWSL championship last year.

7. Lauren James (Chelsea)

Credit: Sports Interactive/Football Manager 26

Lauren James is one of two Chelsea stars in this list as well as the first of two Lionesses to make the top 10.

The winger’s all-around game in FM26 makes her one of the strongest players.

Notable ratings include 19 for technique, 18 for dribbling, strength, and flair, and 17 for crossing, finishing, composure, determination, and agility.

Despite not featuring for club or country this season due to injury, James starts the beta version of the game fully fit at the time of writing.

6. Lauren Hemp (Manchester City)

Despite her attributes not appearing as impressive as Lauren James’ on paper, the Manchester City star’s current ability rating is said to be higher than her England teammate’s.

Notable attributes for the 24-year-old include 19 for acceleration, 18 for pace and work rate, 17 for off-the-ball movement and dribbling, and 16 for crossing, passing, technique, corners, and decision-making.

Hemp is one of the most valuable players in FM26 with a transfer price of between £1.6m and £1.8m.

The Manchester City winger is currently out of action with an ankle injury.

Credit: Sports Interactive/Football Manager 26

5. Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona)

Barcelona star Caroline Graham Hansen is the best dribbler in women’s football on FM26 with a perfect 20 out of 20 score.

Hansen has also been given an 18 for crossing, technique and acceleration, and 17 for finishing, first-touch, decision-making and pace.

She only has one year left on her Barcelona contract. This will make her an attractive signing for players on FM26 after the first season.

4. Sam Kerr (Chelsea)

Despite only recently returning from a lengthy ACL injury, Sam Kerr is said to be the fourth-highest rated player in terms of current ability of FM26.

She is one of the best finishers in the game with a rating of 19 out of 20. The majority of her mental attributes also range from 16 to 18.

Kerr recently returned to the Australia squad after a two-year absence. She made her first appearance since November 2023 in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Wales.

3. Khadija Shaw (Manchester City)

The leak of the highest-rated women’s players in FM26 has Khadija Shaw as the best striker in the game.

The two-time Women’s Super League Golden Boot winner is one of the most deadly finishers in the game with a rating of 19.

Other impressive attributes include 18 for heading, composure and strength and 17 for bravery, off-the-ball work and jumping reach.

2. Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona)

Aitana Bonmati, who to some, controversially won the Women’s Ballon d’Or for a third year in a row, is not the best women’s player in FM26.

The 27-year-old midfielder has 19 different attributes rated 16 or higher. Her best attributes are 18 for dribbling, passing, technique and composure.

1. Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)

Mariona Caldentey, the PFA Players’ Player of the Year for last season, is the best-rated women’s player in the world in FM26.

The Spaniard, who many felt should have won the Ballon d’Or, is the best passer in the game with a perfect score of 20.

Like Bonmati, she has 19 attributes that are rated 16 or higher. She is also one of the best set-piece takers in the game.

She has been handed a 19 for penalties, 17 for corners and 16 for free-kick taking.

Credit: Sports Interactive/Football Manager 26

Introduction of women’s game in FM26

FM26 is the first game in the series to include women’s football.

The new game will be the first to include the Women’s Super League (WSL) and WSL 2 divisions.

In total, there are 14 leagues from across women’s football, and the Women’s Champions League is also in the game.

Women’s and men’s football will co-exist within the same save. Sports Interactive has confirmed there will be over 36,000 players and 5,000 members of staff.