Malawian football sensation Temwa Chawinga has been shortlisted for the prestigious 2026 BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award, joining four other outstanding players from around the world.

Chawinga features on a five-player shortlist alongside Poland's Ewa Pajor, Spain's Alexia Putellas, England's Alessia Russo and Jamaica's Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw.

The award, now in its 12th year, recognises the world's best-performing female footballers based on their achievements between September 2025 and August 2026. The nominees are selected through contributions from coaches, journalists and former professional players.

At 28, Chawinga has continued to establish herself as one of the most dangerous forwards in women's football. Playing for Kansas City Current in the United States' National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), she enjoyed another impressive campaign, scoring 15 goals during the 2025 season.

Her outstanding performances helped Kansas City Current secure the NWSL Shield, awarded to the team finishing top of the regular-season standings. She also made history by becoming the first player to win the NWSL Most Valuable Player award in consecutive seasons, while claiming the Golden Boot for a second successive year.

Her impressive form also earned her a contract extension that will keep her at the club until 2029.

On the international stage, Chawinga returned to represent Malawi at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where she played a significant role in the country's historic campaign.

Together with her sister, Tabitha Chawinga, she helped the Malawi national women's team reach its first-ever WAFCON final, securing qualification for the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time in the nation's history.

Chawinga was also among the tournament's leading performers, scoring against Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana and Algeria. She finished the competition with five goals, earning the WAFCON Golden Boot.

The public voting process is now open, with supporters across the world invited to select their preferred candidate. Voting closes on Wednesday, 18 November 2026, at 09:00 GMT.

In a historic development, the winner will be announced during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony on Sunday, 13 December 2026, alongside announcements through BBC World Service and BBC Sport's digital platforms.

Chawinga's nomination represents another significant milestone for Malawian football and places the country's women's game firmly on the international stage.