Football enthusiasts across the globe are gearing up for one of the most glamorous events in the sporting calendar – the FIFA ‘The Best’ Awards 2025. Held annually since 2017, the awards recognise the finest performances and achievements in football, honouring players, coaches, and goalkeepers for their contributions to the sport over the past year. The 2025 edition will unfold at the Fairmont Katara in Doha, Qatar, with the celebrations commencing on Tuesday, 16 December.
The men’s category sees an intensely competitive line-up of eleven nominees. France’s Ousmane Dembélé and Spain’s Lamine Yamal are the names attracting the most attention, having finished first and second at the Ballon d’Or ceremony earlier this year. PSG’s influence is significant, with Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, and Vitinha all securing nominations. Other high-profile names include Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Mohamed Salah, and Raphinha, ensuring a truly global battle for the top honour.
On the women’s side, seventeen nominees are in the running for the prestigious award. Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati, fresh from her recent Ballon d’Or triumph, leads a cohort of five players from the Spanish giants. Other contenders include top talent from various clubs across Europe, promising a high-calibre contest for the coveted trophy.
Apart from the main player awards, the event will announce winners for the FIFA Puskás Award for men, the FIFA Marta Award for women, best goalkeeper, coach of the year, and the FIFA Fair Play Award. The awards night is not just a competition but a celebration of football, showcasing talent, dedication, and sporting spirit.
Fans can stream the awards live via FIFA’s official website. The voting system is uniquely balanced, with input from national team captains, coaches, sports journalists, and online fans. Points are allocated based on ranking, with a maximum of five points for a first-place vote. The process ensures that winners reflect both expert and popular opinion, providing legitimacy and excitement.
For global fans, the 2025 FIFA Awards are more than a ceremony; they are an annual festival of football brilliance. Tonight, the world will celebrate heroes of the pitch, marking another milestone in the sport’s rich history.