Tonight’s the night. The football world turns its eyes to Doha, Qatar, for the 10th edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards. On the eve of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final, the sport’s standout performers from the last year will be crowned in a glittering gala.
Here is everything you need to know before the ceremony begins.
Date, Time & Venue
- When: Tonight, Tuesday, 16 December 2025
- Time: Ceremony starts at 20:00 Local Time (Doha) | 18:00 CET | 12:00 PM EST | 17:00 GMT
- Where: Fairmont Katara Hall, Doha, Qatar
- How to Watch: The event will be streamed live and free on FIFA+ and FIFA’s official YouTube channel.
The Messi Note: A Changing of the Guard
For the first time in years, the shadow of Lionel Messi does not loom over the podium.
- Status: The Inter Miami star is not nominated for the top award this year, signaling a definitive shift toward the next generation.
- Record Holder: Despite his absence from the shortlist, Messi remains the all-time record holder for The Best Men’s Player with 3 wins (2019, 2022, 2023).
- Role Tonight: While he won’t be lifting a trophy, he will still have a say in who does—as the captain of Argentina, he will be casting a crucial vote for the winner.
The Big One: The Best FIFA Men’s Player
The race for the men’s top honor is tighter than in previous years, but a clear favorite has emerged following a historic treble-winning season with PSG.
The Favorites & Odds:
- Ousmane Dembélé (PSG / France): The heavy favorite. After years of injury struggles, Dembélé exploded in 2025, leading PSG to a treble and looking unplayable for much of the year. He is widely expected to take home the trophy.
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain): The teenage prodigy is the main challenger. His meteoric rise continues, and while he may be an underdog for the top prize tonight, his presence on the podium is all but guaranteed.
- The Chasing Pack: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), and Harry Kane (Bayern Munich).
Full Nominee List:
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Achraf Hakimi
- Harry Kane
- Kylian Mbappé
- Nuno Mendes
- Cole Palmer
- Pedri
- Raphinha
- Mohamed Salah
- Vitinha
- Lamine Yamal
The Best FIFA Women’s Player
Reigning queen Aitana Bonmatí is looking to retain her crown. The Spaniard has continued to dominate midfield play for both club and country, making her the odds-on favorite to win again.
Notable Nominees:
- Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain): The favorite to win back-to-back awards.
- Lindsey Heaps (Lyon / USA): Formerly known as Lindsey Horan, the USWNT captain is nominated under her married name after a stellar year leading the USA to Olympic Gold in Paris.
- Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride / Zambia): A breakout star who has terrorized defenses in the NWSL.
Other Key Nominees: Lucy Bronze, Lauren James, Alexia Putellas, Kadidiatou Diani, and Mallory Swanson.
The Goal Awards: Puskás & The New “Marta Award”
This year marks a historic change with the introduction of a specific award for the best women’s goal, naming it after the legendary Brazilian, Marta.
FIFA Puskás Award (Best Men’s Goal)
- Favorite: Lamine Yamal (vs. Espanyol) – A stunning strike that went viral instantly.
- Contenders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Lucas Ribeiro (Mamelodi Sundowns), and others.
FIFA Marta Award (Best Women’s Goal)
- The Story: A new award to honor the best goal in women’s football.
- Nominees: Fittingly, herself is nominated for a goal scored for Orlando Pride. Other contenders include Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal) and Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign).
🧤 Goalkeepers & Coaches
The Best FIFA Men’s Coach
- Favorites: Luis Enrique (PSG) is the frontrunner after his treble win. Hansi Flick (Barcelona) and Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) are also strong contenders.
- Nominees: Javier Aguirre, Luis Enrique, Hansi Flick, Enzo Maresca, Roberto Martinez, Arne Slot.
The Best FIFA Women’s Coach
- Favorites: Sonia Bompastor (Chelsea) and Emma Hayes (USA) are the leading names.
- Nominees: Sonia Bompastor, Jonatan Giráldez, Seb Hines, Renee Slegers, Sarina Wiegman.
Goalkeepers
- Men: Alisson Becker, Thibaut Courtois, and Emiliano Martínez headline the list.
- Women: Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC) and Alyssa Naeher (USA) are top picks following their Olympic heroics.
🔮 Prediction Summary
If the odds hold true, expect a big night for Paris Saint-Germain on the men’s side (Dembélé and Luis Enrique) and continued dominance for Spain/Barcelona on the women’s side (Bonmatí).
