FIFA has officially released the nominee lists for the 2025 edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards, unveiling the leading contenders for the sport’s most prestigious individual honours, MySportDab Reports.
The awards recognise the standout players, coaches and goalkeepers across the men’s and women’s game, with performances evaluated between August 11, 2024, and August 2, 2025.
The shortlist reflects success in top-tier competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, major domestic leagues, Women’s Euro 2025, and the inaugural Men’s Club World Cup.
The Best Men’s Player category includes a strong Paris Saint-Germain presence, with Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, Vitinha and Nuno Mendes all nominated following a dominant campaign under Luis Enrique.
Joining them is Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé, Bayern striker Harry Kane, and Liverpool icon Mohamed Salah. Rising stars such as Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal also make the list, showcasing a blend of experience and emerging talent.
On the women’s side, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí — winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or — leads the nominees and remains the favourite for the FIFA crown. She is joined by club teammates Patri Guijarro, Ewa Pajor, Claudia Pina and Alexia Putellas. England’s representation is strong, with Chelsea’s Lauren James and Arsenal trio Mariona Caldentey, Alessia Russo and Leah Williamson all included. Malawi forward Temwa Chawinga, after a standout season with Kansas City Current, is among the most intriguing names on the women’s list.
The Best Coach awards also offer compelling storylines. In the men’s category, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Liverpool’s Arne Slot and PSG’s Luis Enrique headline the contenders after strong domestic and European campaigns. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is nominated after guiding the Blues through a transitional yet promising season, while Roberto Martínez is recognised for his work with Portugal.
Among the women’s coaching nominees, Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor and England coach Sarina Wiegman are frontrunners, while Arsenal’s Renée Slegers is rewarded for her tactical development of a young and dynamic squad.
The goalkeeping categories highlight world-class consistency. In the men’s division, Alisson Becker, Thibaut Courtois and Emiliano Martínez lead the field, joined by Arsenal’s David Raya and Inter’s Yann Sommer. The women’s nominees include Barcelona’s Cata Coll, Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton and Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie, who continues to rise as one of the best keepers in the world following a brilliant club and international year.
The Puskás Award shortlist, given for the best goal of the year, is expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.
Fans will again play a direct role in determining the winners. Voting is open on FIFA’s official website, allowing supporters worldwide to cast their ballots across all major categories.
The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025 ceremony is expected to be one of the most competitive yet — with established champions and new contenders all vying for world football’s top honours.
