Doha, Qatar is preparing to host the prestigious Best FIFA Football Awards 2025 on Monday, December 15th, at the Fairmont Katara Hall. The event will recognize the top achievements in the world of football for the 2025 season, with winners announced across various categories. The ceremony will be live-streamed globally on FIFA.com starting at 8:00 PM Doha time, offering fans worldwide the opportunity to witness the celebration of footballing excellence.
The awards presentation is strategically scheduled on the eve of the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025 final, featuring a clash between Paris Saint-Germain and CR Flamengo at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. This timing aims to maximize the global spotlight on both events, solidifying Qatar’s position as a central hub for international football. Approximately 800 guests are expected to attend the gala dinner, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, members of the FIFA Council, and prominent figures from the football community.
The Significance of the Best FIFA Football Awards
The Best FIFA Football Awards were established in 2016, succeeding the FIFA Ballon d’Or, which had been awarded in partnership with France Football from 2010 to 2015. The awards aim to honor the best players, coaches, and other contributors to the sport, based on performance and achievements throughout the calendar year. This year’s event marks a continued effort by FIFA to globally recognize talent and promote the game.
Fan Involvement and Voting Process
A key element of the Best FIFA Football Awards is the significant role played by fans in the selection process. According to FIFA, over 16 million votes were cast by supporters worldwide, influencing the outcome of awards such as The Best FIFA Women’s Player, The Best FIFA Men’s Player, and their respective coaching equivalents. This level of engagement demonstrates the passion and dedication of football fans globally.
However, the final decision isn’t solely based on public voting. The awards utilize an equally weighted voting system, incorporating input from national team captains and coaches, as well as a select group of media representatives. This multi-faceted approach is intended to ensure a comprehensive and objective assessment of each nominee’s merits. The inclusion of captains and coaches provides insight from those directly involved in the competitive landscape, while media representation offers a broader perspective on player performance and impact.
Awards Beyond Player Recognition
While the Player and Coach of the Year awards garner the most attention, the Best FIFA Football Awards encompass a wider range of categories. The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper and The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper awards acknowledge the crucial role of shot-stopping prowess in the modern game. Additionally, The Best FIFA Fair Play Award celebrates acts of sportsmanship and positive behavior on and off the pitch, highlighting the ethical dimensions of football.
Fans also contribute to the selection of The Best FIFA Women’s 11 and The Best FIFA Men’s 11, showcasing the top performing players in each position, as determined by a combination of fan votes and expert analysis. This provides a unique and representative “dream team” for both men’s and women’s football, reflecting the collective opinion of the global football community. The increasing prominence of women’s football is also reflected in the awards, with dedicated categories and substantial fan engagement.
The FIFA Puskas Award, recognizing the most beautiful goal of the year, will also be presented. This award, often a highlight of the ceremony, is decided entirely by fans and adds an element of spectacle and celebration to the event. The selection process for the Puskas Award typically involves a shortlist of goals nominated by FIFA and then a final public vote.
Qatar’s hosting of the Best FIFA Football Awards 2025 follows its successful staging of the FIFA World Cup 2022, further demonstrating the nation’s commitment to developing and promoting football. The event is expected to generate significant media coverage and boost tourism to the region. The infrastructure developed for the World Cup will be utilized, ensuring a smooth and efficient operation for the awards ceremony.
Following the awards presentation, attention will immediately shift to the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final. The outcome of the tournament and the performances of key players will undoubtedly influence discussions and future nominations for the Best FIFA Football Awards in subsequent years. The next edition of the awards is tentatively scheduled for December 2026, with the nomination process expected to begin in the latter half of 2025. The continued evolution of the voting system and the inclusion of new categories remain points of ongoing discussion within FIFA.
