WAC (award)

WAC (award) is an annual honor presented to the world's best female association football player. The award was established in 2011 to provide a prominent, dedicated recognition for women in the sport, paralleling the men's Ballon d'Or. It is distinct from the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year and other accolades, having been created by the now-defunct magazine World Soccer. The WAC has been presented through various organizational structures over its history, celebrating the achievements of top players from leagues such as the NWSL, Division 1 Féminine, and the WSL.

Overview

The WAC award is an international football accolade determined by a global vote of national team coaches and captains, alongside selected journalists. It recognizes outstanding performance over a calendar year, with criteria emphasizing technical ability, leadership, and overall contribution to the sport. The trophy's presentation is often a highlight of the football calendar, coinciding with other major award ceremonies. While its administration has changed hands, the award maintains a focus on elevating the profile of women's football globally, alongside institutions like UEFA and CONMEBOL.

History

The award was inaugurated in 2011 by World Soccer magazine, created by editor Gavin Hamilton to address the lack of a standalone, magazine-based prize for women footballers. The first recipient was Brazilian superstar Marta, then playing for the Western New York Flash. Following the closure of the magazine's award structure, the organization was taken over by ESPN in 2016, which rebranded it briefly. In 2018, stewardship transferred to the IFFHS, which continued the award until 2020. Its creation and evolution occurred alongside the rapid professionalization of women's football and landmark events like the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Selection process

The winner is selected through a comprehensive voting process modeled on the men's Ballon d'Or. Electors include the head coaches and captains of all women's national teams affiliated with FIFA, as well as one specialist journalist from each country. Voters submit a top-five ranking, with points assigned accordingly; the player with the highest aggregate total wins. The process is administered independently, with votes audited by the award's governing body to ensure integrity. This system aims to capture a truly global perspective, incorporating views from confederations like the AFC and the CAF.

Notable recipients

The award's roster of winners features many of the sport's most iconic figures. Five-time winner Marta holds the record for most victories, claiming the inaugural award and winning consecutively from 2014 to 2018. German midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsán won in 2013, while American forward Abby Wambach was the 2011 runner-up. Other prominent winners include Australian striker Sam Kerr, Dutch forward Vivianne Miedema, and English defender Lucy Bronze. Recipients have represented top clubs including Olympique Lyonnais, Chelsea, and FC Barcelona Femení.

Impact and significance

The WAC award has played a notable role in raising the profile of women's footballers and providing a specific point of comparison for annual excellence. Its existence highlighted the growing commercial and media interest in the women's game prior to the establishment of the Ballon d'Or Féminin in 2018. The award generated significant media coverage, particularly in Brazil, the United States, and Europe, celebrating athletes who also excelled in tournaments like the FIFA Women's World Cup and the UEFA Women's Champions League. While no longer active, the WAC is remembered as a pioneering honor that contributed to the broader recognition of women's sports.

Category:Women's association football awards Category:Recurring sporting events established in 2011