📰 Who Takes the Top Honours? ‘The Best’ FIFA Football Awards 2025 Ceremony Set for Today 🏆
DOHA, QATAR – The footballing world turns its attention to Doha, Qatar, as the annual celebration of individual excellence, ‘The Best’ FIFA Football Awards 2025, is set to take place today, Tuesday, December 16, 2025. The glamorous, scaled-down ceremony will crown the men’s and women’s stars who have shone brightest over the past year.
The event, which is being held at the Fairmont Katara Hall, marks the culmination of months of scrutiny and voting by national team captains, coaches, select journalists, and the global football fanbase.
The Main Contenders: Player of the Year
All eyes will be on the winners of the most prestigious categories: The Best FIFA Men’s Player and The Best FIFA Women’s Player.
Men’s Player
In the men’s category, the race for the top prize is closely contested. Among the most prominent names on the final shortlist are:
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Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France): The winger enters as a strong favourite, having already claimed the Ballon d’Or earlier this year. His blistering form and influence in major competitions make him a powerful candidate.
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Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid / France): Having recently moved to Real Madrid, the French superstar remains one of the most electric talents in the game, known for his relentless goal-scoring and match-winning ability.
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Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain): The young Barcelona sensation has burst onto the scene with a phenomenal season, cementing his place among the world’s elite at an incredibly early age.
Other top nominees include Harry Kane (Bayern Munich / England), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain / Morocco), and Cole Palmer (Chelsea / England), all of whom enjoyed stellar seasons with their respective clubs and national teams.
Women’s Player
The women’s award features an array of incredible talent, reflecting the rising global standard of the game:
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Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain): The reigning champion is once again a leading favourite, following another dominant season for both club and country.
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Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea / France): The French international has been a standout performer, showcasing her remarkable skill and contribution to Chelsea’s success.
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Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal / Spain): Following a move to Arsenal, her consistent quality and crucial goals keep her firmly in the conversation.
The nominations feature a strong contingent of Spanish and English players, underscoring the dominance of La Liga F and the WSL in the global game.
Coaches and Goals in the Spotlight
Beyond the main player awards, winners will also be announced for:
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The Best FIFA Men’s Coach: Nominees include Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) and Luis Enrique (PSG), among others, for their tactical prowess and successful campaigns.
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The Best FIFA Women’s Coach: Contenders like Sonia Bompastor (Chelsea) and Sarina Wiegman (England) are recognised for their leadership.
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FIFA Puskás Award: The fan-favourite goal of the year will be revealed, featuring spectacular strikes from players like Declan Rice and Lamine Yamal.
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The Best FIFA Goalkeeper Awards and the FIFA FIFPRO World 11s (Men’s and Women’s) will also be presented.
A Scaled-Down Affair in Doha
The choice of Doha is strategic, aligning with the hosting of the Intercontinental Cup final, which involves many players from nominated clubs like PSG. This has allowed for a streamlined, more focused event.
Who will etch their name into football history tonight? The waiting is almost over. Football fans across the globe are poised to see which individual performances from the past year will be recognized as truly ‘The Best’.
Stay tuned for live updates and the official list of winners from the awards ceremony later today.
