Malawi international Temwa Chawinga has made history in world football after becoming the first African woman to finish among the top 10 players in the Women’s Ballon d’Or rankings.
The forward, who plays for Kansas City Current in the United States, claimed 10th place in the 2026 edition of the prestigious award, announced on October 26 in London. Her achievement represents a major milestone for African women’s football and recognises her rise among the game’s elite performers.
Chawinga’s finish places her alongside some of the most prominent names in women’s football and gives Malawi a historic moment on one of the sport’s biggest international stages.
A Landmark Achievement for African Women’s Football
For years, African players have continued to make their mark in women’s football through performances at club and international levels. Chawinga’s top-10 finish adds a significant achievement to that progress, bringing greater attention to the talent emerging from the continent.
Her ranking is particularly notable because the Ballon d’Or is one of football’s most recognised individual honours. Players are assessed for their performances and impact over a season, making a place among the leading candidates an important career achievement.
Chawinga was the only player from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) to finish in the 2026 women’s top 10, according to reporting on the final rankings.
The recognition also highlights the growing international reach of women’s football, with the final 10 featuring players representing Africa, Europe and the Caribbean.
From Malawi to the Global Stage
Born on September 20, 1998, in Rumphi District, Malawi, Chawinga has built her reputation through consistent goalscoring and strong performances in several leagues.
Before joining Kansas City Current, she enjoyed considerable success in China with Wuhan Jianghan University. During that period, she won four consecutive Chinese Women’s Super League titles between 2020 and 2023, establishing herself as one of the competition’s leading attacking players.
Her individual achievements have also been impressive. Chawinga won the Chinese league’s Golden Boot in 2022 and 2023 before continuing her scoring form in the United States.
With Kansas City Current, she won the NWSL Most Valuable Player award and Golden Boot in both 2024 and 2025. She also helped the club secure the NWSL Shield in 2025, adding to her growing list of honours.
These accomplishments have strengthened her reputation as a forward capable of influencing matches at the highest level. Her Ballon d’Or ranking now adds international recognition to a career already marked by individual and team success.
Alexia Putellas Wins the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or
Spain’s Alexia Putellas claimed the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or, securing the award for the third time after previous victories in 2021 and 2022.
Poland’s Ewa Pajor finished second, while Jamaica and Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw placed third. Haiti’s Melchie Dumornay and Spain’s Patri Guijarro completed the top five.
Chawinga finished 10th in a competitive field that also included Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen, Denmark’s Pernille Harder, Spain’s Clàudia Pina and England’s Alessia Russo.
Her place among these established international stars reinforces the significance of the achievement, particularly for African footballers seeking greater visibility in major individual awards.
What Chawinga’s Achievement Means for Malawi and Africa
Chawinga’s historic finish could help raise the profile of Malawi’s women’s national team and encourage greater attention towards women’s football across Africa.
The continent has produced players who have excelled in international competitions and professional leagues, but representation in the highest positions of global individual awards remains an important benchmark.
A top-10 Ballon d’Or finish does not by itself resolve the challenges facing the women’s game in Africa, including investment, infrastructure, player development and access to elite competitions. However, achievements of this scale can help attract interest from supporters, sponsors and football administrators.
For young players in Malawi and elsewhere on the continent, Chawinga’s progress also offers a visible example of how talent and sustained performance can lead to recognition on the global stage.
Her 2026 ranking is therefore more than a personal milestone. It is a landmark moment for African women’s football and further evidence of the continent’s growing presence in the international game.
