Malawi Women’s National Football Team forward Temwa Chawinga has been named among the nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, cementing her place among the best players in world football.
The 27-year-old striker, who plays for Kansas City Current in the United States, received the nomination for the second consecutive year.
The Ballon d’Or recognises the best women’s footballers in the world each year.
Chawinga’s back-to-back nominations highlight her consistent performances at club level in the U.S and her growing reputation as one of Africa’s top strikers.
She was ranked 17th best globally in last year’s listing.
Soccer analyst Elliot Tandani of Nkhoma Synod Radio in Lilongwe said the nomination is a huge moment for Malawi.
“This is not luck, to be nominated twice shows consistency at the highest level,” Tandani said.
Temwa’s form has also carried over to the national team where she won the Golden Boot award at the recent Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, where the Scorchers finished as runners-up.
Tandani noted that her goals were key to Malawi’s historic run.
“That Golden Boot and taking the Scorchers to the final is why the world is watching her,” said Tandani.
Malawi’s silver medal finish at WAFCON also meant automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, the first time the Scorchers will play at the tournament. Chawinga is expected to lead the attack.
