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There was no space for Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman on the FIFA World XI, despite being named the CAF African Footballer of the Year recently
Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman and Zambia’s Barbra Banda were both shock omissions from the Best FIFA Men’s and Women’s World XI for 2024, despite being crowned the CAF African Men’s and Women’s Players of the Year.
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The announcement, made during the awards ceremony in Doha, revealed a worrying lack of African representation, with not a single African player making either team.
Lookman and Banda overlooked despite stellar performances
Ademola Lookman’s omission is particularly surprising given his standout year for club and country. The Nigerian winger played a pivotal role in both domestic and continental competitions, earning him the coveted African Men’s Player of the Year award.
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His electric performances, goals, and assists cemented his status as Africa’s finest in 2024. Similarly, Barbra Banda’s dominance on the pitch, which led to her winning the CAF African Women’s Player of the Year, seemed like a sure ticket to FIFA’s Women’s World XI.
Her outstanding displays at club level and internationally for Zambia were widely praised, making her exclusion even more glaring.
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Adding to the snub, South Africa’s Ronwen Williams – Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year – was also ignored, despite his heroics during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and impressive club form. This raises questions about FIFA’s selection process and its lack of recognition for African footballers performing at the highest level.
La Liga, Premier League, and Barcelona dominate selections
The Best FIFA Men’s XI was dominated by players from Europe’s top leagues. Real Madrid contributed five players, after their exceptional year, while Premier League stars like Erling Haaland, Rodri, and William Saliba completed the side.
The likes of Vinicius Junior and 17-year-old Lamine Yamal showed La Liga’s influence, with Yamal’s UEFA Euro 2024 performances earning him deserved plaudits.
The Best FIFA Women’s XI similarly saw a strong Barcelona presence, with six Blaugrana players included after yet another trophy-laden year.
USA’s Olympic gold-winning trio, including goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, also earned spots, while Gabi Portilho represented South America following an exceptional season for both Corinthians and Brazil.
Despite FIFA’s transparent voting process involving fans and football experts, the lack of African representation signals an ongoing imbalance in global recognition.
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