The Best FIFA Football Awards Winners to Emerge on Tuesday

The winners of The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025 will be revealed at a special event in Doha, Qatar, that will be broadcast live on FIFA.com on Tuesday, 16 December 2025 from 20:00 local time (18:00 CET). On the eve of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025 final between Paris Saint-Germain and CR Flamengo at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, the world’s best players and coaches for 2025 will be revealed during the FIFA Celebration 2025 Dinner at Fairmont Katara Hall in Doha. Before that, the best fans, goalkeepers and goals will be announced in digital videos on FIFA platforms and across social media, along with the winner of the FIFA Fair Play Award. The gala dinner will be attended by 800 guests, including the FIFA President, FIFA Council members, FIFA Legends, Member Association representatives from around the world, and other local and regional ambassadors and trailblazers of the beautiful game. As ever, fans have played a key role in choosing the winners by casting over 16 million votes and having a say in the destiny of multiple awards, including The Best FIFA Women’s Player, The Best FIFA Men’s Player, The Best FIFA Women’s Coach, The Best FIFA Men’s Coach, The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper and The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper. All of these award winners have been decided by an equally weighted voting system between fans, the current captains and coaches of all women’s and men’s national teams, and media representatives. In addition, fans have also participated in the vote for The Best FIFA Women’s 11 and The Best FIFA Men’s 11. Voting for the FIFA Marta Award and the FIFA Puskás Award – for the best goals in women’s and men’s football – has been split equally between fans and a panel of FIFA Legends, while the winner of the FIFA Fan Award has been chosen entirely by fans, and the recipient of the FIFA Fair Play Award has been selected by an expert panel.

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Pre-AFCON Friendly: FIFA Regulation Pushes Nigeria, Egypt Game to Tuesday, 16 December

The decision by world football-governing body, FIFA that Clubs can hold on to their players until Monday, 15 December 2025 before they are released for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has necessitated the postponement of the pre-AFCON friendly between Nigeria and Egypt. Seven-time winners Egypt and three-time winners Nigeria were scheduled to clash in a tune-up game in Cairo on Sunday, 14 December, in line with an earlier regulation that ruled that players be released earlier. The game has now been moved to Tuesday, 16 December as a result of the regulation. Aside from the postponement, the game will now be a practice match in order to allow the two teams to make use of more than five substitutes in the encounter, which will kick off at 8pm Egypt time (7pm Nigeria time) at the Cairo Stadium. The Super Eagles are in Group C of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals alongside 2004 champions Tunisia, 1978 runners-up Uganda, and Tanzania. Nigeria’s first match is on Tuesday, 23 December against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars at the Complexe Sportif de Fes, where they will also tackle Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles (Saturday, 27 December) and the Cranes of Uganda (Tuesday, 30 December). The Pharaohs, who hosted the finals in 2019, are in Group B alongside 1996 hosts and winners South Africa, 2010 hosts Angola, and Zimbabwe. Their matches will be at the Stade d’Agadir.

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Trump Honoured With First-Ever Fifa Peace Prize Ahead Of 2026 World Cup Draw

United States President Donald Trump was awarded the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize on Friday in Washington DC, just ahead of the draw for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. The new accolade, introduced this year by Fifa President Gianni Infantino, recognises individuals who have made “exceptional and extraordinary contributions to peace” and who have “united people across the world.” Trump’s selection had been widely anticipated, given his recent appearances alongside Infantino. At the ceremony, Trump received a large golden trophy, a medal, and a certificate before delivering a speech to attendees. “This is truly one of the great honours of my life,” he said, adding that his diplomatic efforts had saved “tens of millions of lives” and prevented wars before they could begin. Trump also highlighted the strong ticket demand for the upcoming World Cup. “Gianni has done an incredible job. It is a nice tribute to you and the game of football, or as we call it soccer. It is beyond the numbers we thought were possible,” he said. He described the United States as having regained prominence on the global stage. “The world is a safer place now. The USA was not doing well a year ago; now we are the hottest country in the world right now.” The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, running from June 11 to July 19. Following his speech, Trump joined Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney to conduct the ceremonial draw. Each leader revealed the ball for their nation, which had already been assigned groups, before posing for a selfie with Infantino. Mexico was placed in Group A and will play in the opening match, Canada in Group B, and the United States in Group D. Trump ended with a lighthearted remark on the American naming of football. “We have to find another name for the NFL. This is football, we call it soccer here in the USA but it is really football. It doesn’t make sense that we call it soccer.”

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Nigeria Rise To 38th In FIFA Rankings Despite Performances Against DR Congo

Nigeria have climbed three spots to 38th in the latest FIFA men’s world ranking released on Wednesday, following a month in which the Super Eagles featured in two crucial competitive matches. The new ranking factors in 149 international games played since the last update, including Nigeria’s 4–1 win over Gabon and the 1–1 draw with DR Congo, which the Eagles eventually lost 4–3 on penalties in the African play-off. Although the penalty defeat cost Nigeria a place at the 2026 World Cup, the team’s performances were still strong enough to push them higher on the global table. Nigeria now sit on 1,502.46 points, placing them fifth in Africa behind Morocco, Senegal, Egypt and Algeria. Morocco lead the continent with 1,713.12 points, while Senegal follow in 19th place globally with 1,648.07 points. Egypt occupy 34th with 1,520.68, just ahead of Algeria in 35th on 1,516.37 points. The African standings are tightly contested, with Nigeria holding a slim edge over sixth-placed Tunisia, who sit 40th with 1,497.13 points. Further down the list, Ivory Coast trail with 1,489.59 points, while DR Congo stand on 1,442.50, showing how competitive the region has become.

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World Cup Playoff Final: Chelle Unleashes Osimhen, Lookman on DR Congo

  By BUNMI OGUNYALE   Super Eagles manager, Eric Chelle has named the duo of Ademola Lookman and red-hot striker Victor Osimhen to the lead team’s assault in tonight’s 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff against DR Congo in Rabat, Morocco. Both players are expected to bring their experience to bear as the immediate past and the current African Footballers of the Year against the Congolese. Stanley Nwabali retained his place in goal and he will get cover from Benjamin Fredrick, Saidu Sanusi, Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey. Stand-in Captain Wilfred Ndidi will marshal the midfield along with Frank Onyeka, Samuel Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi. The substitutes for tonight’s tie are; Maduka Okoye, William Troost-Ekong, Chidera Ejuke, Akor Adams, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Tolulope Arokodare, Bruno Onyemaechi, Alhassan Abdullahi, Amas Obasogie, Adike and Chidozie Awaziem. The tie is slated to kick off at 8pm Nigeria time.

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World Cup Playoff: Ndidi Eligible for DR Congo Showdown

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stated that Super Eagles Stand-in Captain, Wilfred Ndidi is eligible for 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoff final against DR Congo on Sunday. Super Eagles twitter handle confirmed the development on her page on Saturday. “CAF has confirmed that Wilfred Ndidi is eligible to feature for the Super Eagles in Sunday’s playoff clash against DR Congo. “Cautions accumulated during the World Cup qualifiers do not carry over into the playoffs; only confirmed suspensions apply,” Super Eagles twitter tweeted.

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2026 World Cup Play-off Final: Super Eagles, Leopards Set for Explosive Duel in Rabat

Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo will go to battle on Sunday night for the lone ticket from Africa to the six-team 2026 FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Playoff Finals in March, from where two teams will bag tickets to next year’s FIFA World Cup finals.   The potentially-explosive encounter inside the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay El Hassan will see the Leopards, who last attended football’s biggest houseparty in 1974, try to halt the strong march of the Super Eagles to a seventh finals since 1994.   While there were robust back-and-forths between the Eagles and the Panthers in Thursday’s semi-final, as well as eye-catching ding-dongs in regulation time, Nigeria eased into gear five in extra time and completely left their opponents for dead as they stormed to a 4-1 win.   Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions created more chances in the second semi-final but frittered them away, leaving Chancel Mbemba to give them a sucker punch in added time, with his powerful header from Brian Cipenga’s corner that sent the Leopards to Sunday’s Final.   The Leopards, champions of Africa in 1968 and 1974, crashed out at group stage in Germany in 1974, losing all three matches, including a better-forgotten 9-0 thumping by then Yugoslavia in Gelsenkirchen – where they were also beaten 3-0 by Brazil. They also lost 0-2 to Scotland in Dortmund.   Nigeria have reached the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup in three of their six appearances, and famously topped a group including Argentina in their debut 31 years ago. They are also three-time champions of Africa.   The Leopards are managed by 49-year- old Sébastien Desabre, a French national, who has ample North African ground and environmental experience having had stints with Wydad Athletic Club of Casablanca (Morocco), and also with the trio of Espérance Sportive de Tunis and Ismaily FC and Pyramids FC in Egypt.   He comes up against Franco-Malian Éric Sékou Chelle, Nigeria’s 48-year-old manager, who remains unbeaten in five competitive matches for the Super Eagles in this race, and has told his players to buckle up and get the job done on Sunday, and leave themselves with only one match to play at the Intercontinental Playoffs to make it to the big rumble in the USA, Canada and Mexico next year.   Chelle’s record with Nigeria is four wins and a draw, with 14 goals pumped into the opponents’ net and four conceded, and most Nigerians are agreed that were he the one who managed the qualifying campaign from the beginning, the Eagles would have nicked an automatic ticket and have no need to come to the playoffs.   Yet, Chelle will miss deputy captain Wilfred Ndidi, who collected a second yellow card in the series in Thursday’s trouncing of Gabon, and must sit out the big fight with the Leopards on Sunday.   “Ndidi is an important player for us. His experience, ability and leadership on the pitch are important for this team. But we will manage the situation. We have a large squad of players and we will make changes.   “Ndidi is still here with us and will support the team mentally and with his presence.”   Chelle can opt to start with either Raphael Onyedika or Frank Onyeka in place of Ndidi. Onyeka greatly shored up the midfield in extra time on Thursday. The coach also has added ammunition at the back as suspended centre-back Semi Ajayi is now free to go into action.   Victor Osimhen, easily one of the best forwards in the world, underscored his deadliness with a brace against the Panthers, and is said to be determined to overhaul Rashidi Yekini’s 37-goal record for Nigeria with a few more matches. He is currently at 31, with 12 assists as well in 45 games.   Ademola Lookman, 86-cap Simon Moses, 90-cap Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams, Chidera Ejuke and Tolu Arokodare are options available for Chelle upfront.   Chelle and his army must beware of the predator named Chancel Mbemba (also captain of the team), as well as Cipenga, Noah Sadiki and Silas Katompa. The Leopards boast a close-knit rearguard, and there are also Cédric Bakambu, Meshack Elia, Samuel Essende, and the dangerous Pyramids FC of Egypt forward Fiston Mayele.   Already qualified for the Intercontinental Playoffs, scheduled for the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey in March, are Bolivia and New Caledonia, with Iraq, Jamaica and Panama also well-placed to make it.   However, Nigeria and Panama are the highest-ranked of the six, and will each be seeded to play only one match (the two Final matches), after the other four had battled out semi-final matches.  

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Mbappe, Dembele, Others Battle for FIFA Best Player of the Year Award

Real Madrid striker, Kylian Mbappé will slug out with Paris Saint Germain forward Ousamane Dembele for the 2025 FIFA Best Palyer of the Award. FIFA, however, is inviting the global football community to help decide which of the beautiful game’s leading lights should be nominated for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025. The highlight of the year was the success of the new FIFA Club World Cup in June and July, when 32 of the leading clubs on the planet came together in the United States for the first time in football history, with 2.5 million attending in person and billions more watching on around the world. Players and coaches have taken the world’s number-one sport to new heights, enchanting billions of fans worldwide at these show-stopping competitions. The tenth edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards will honour only the finest individuals and groups of individuals in the game. A panel of experts on women’s football, representing various FIFA and external football stakeholders, have compiled a shortlist of 11 female players for The Best FIFA Women’s Player, five women’s football coaches for The Best FIFA Women’s Coach and five female goalkeepers for The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper. A panel of men’s football specialists have drawn up equivalent male shortlists for The Best FIFA Men’s Player, The Best FIFA Men’s Coach and The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper. In addition to the awarding of the above-mentioned prizes, The Best FIFA Women’s 11 and The Best FIFA Men’s 11 will be named, and the FIFA Fan Award will be bestowed on an individual or group of individuals that have gone above and beyond to show their love and passion for the game. Find out everything you need to know about The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025 –including how to vote – on FIFA.com . The coaches and captains of all 211 FIFA Member Associations’ women’s national teams will now be invited to select three outstanding candidates for each of the three women’s awards. In addition, the coaches and captains of all 211 FIFA Member Associations’ men’s national teams will be given the opportunity to choose their top three candidates for the trio of men’s awards. Media representatives (various journalists who cover the women’s and men’s games) and fans registered on FIFA.com can also vote on each of the awards. The four groups of voters have the same electoral weight, irrespective of the actual number of voters in each group (i.e. the votes of the coaches, captains, specialist journalists and fans will each make up 25% of the poll, regardless of the number of voters in each group). As was the case in previous editions, a dedicated voting application is being used for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025. Shortlist voting commenced on 6 November 2025 and will conclude at 23:59 CET on 28 November 2025. Nominees in full The Best FIFA Women’s Player nominees – Sandy Baltimore, France and Chelsea – Nathalie Björn, Sweden and Chelsea – Aitana Bonmatí, Spain and Barcelona – Lucy Bronze, England and Chelsea – Mariona Caldentey, Spain and Arsenal – Temwa Chawinga, Malawi and Kansas City Current – Kadidiatou Diani, France and Olympique Lyonnais – Melchie Dumornay, Haiti and Olympique Lyonnais – Patri Guijarro, Spain and Barcelona – Lindsey Heaps, USA and Olympique Lyonnais – Lauren James, England and Chelsea – Chloe Kelly, England and Manchester City/Arsenal – Ewa Pajor, Poland and Barcelona – Clàudia Pina, Spain and Barcelona – Alexia Putellas, Spain and Barcelona – Alessia Russo, England and Arsenal – Leah Williamson, England and Arsenal The Best FIFA Men’s Player nominees – Ousmane Dembélé, France and Paris Saint-Germain – Achraf Hakimi, Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain – Harry Kane, England and FC Bayern München – Kylian Mbappé, France and Real Madrid – Nuno Mendes, Portugal and Paris Saint-Germain – Cole Palmer, England and Chelsea – Pedri, Spain and Barcelona – Raphinha, Brazil and Barcelona – Mohamed Salah, Egypt and Liverpool – Vitinha, Portugal and Paris Saint-Germain – Lamine Yamal, Spain and Barcelona The Best FIFA Women’s Coach nominees – Sonia Bompastor, Chelsea – Jonatan Giráldez, Washington Spirit/Olympique Lyonnais – Seb Hines, Orlando Pride – Renée Slegers, Arsenal – Sarina Wiegman, England The Best FIFA Men’s Coach nominees – Javier Aguirre, Mexico – Mikel Arteta, Arsenal – Luis Enrique, Paris Saint-Germain – Hansi Flick, Barcelona – Enzo Maresca, Chelsea – Roberto Martínez, Portugal – Arne Slot, Liverpool The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper nominees – Ann-Katrin Berger, Germany and Gotham FC – Cata Coll, Spain and Barcelona – Christiane Endler, Chile and Olympique Lyonnais – Hannah Hampton, England and Chelsea – Anna Moorhouse, England and Orlando Pride – Chiamaka Nnadozie, Nigeria and Paris FC/Brighton & Hove Albion – Phallon Tullis-Joyce, USA and Manchester United The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper nominees – Alisson Becker, Brazil and Liverpool – Thibaut Courtois, Belgium and Real Madrid – Gianluigi Donnarumma, Italy and Paris Saint-Germain/Manchester City – Emiliano Martínez, Argentina and Aston Villa – Manuel Neuer, Germany and FC Bayern München – David Raya, Spain and Arsenal – Yann Sommer, Switzerland and Internazionale Milano – Wojciech Szczęsny, Poland and Barcelona FIFA Fan Award nominees – Alejandro Ciganotto (ARG) – Manolo el del Bombo (ESP) (posthumous) – Zakho fans (IRQ)

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