Football fans around the world are turning their attention to Doha, Qatar, which is preparing to host the tenth and exceptional edition of "The Best" FIFA Football Awards. FIFA has officially announced that the winners of the 2025 awards will be revealed during a special global event on Tuesday evening, December 16, 2025, which will be broadcast live on FIFA's digital platforms at 8:00 PM local time.
This event gains added importance as it takes place in the heart of the Katara Cultural Village, and as part of the closing week activities of the FIFA Confederations Cup Qatar 2025. The ceremony will be held on the night before the highly anticipated grand final match at the Ahmed Bin Ali World Cup Stadium, which will bring together the two football giants: Paris Saint-Germain of France and Flamengo of Brazil, making Doha the focus of the world's sports media throughout this week.
The event is set to take the form of a lavish dinner titled "FIFA Celebration 2025," with an estimated 800 guests in attendance. Among those expected to be present are FIFA President Gianni Infantino, members of the FIFA Council, a host of football legends from across history, representatives of national and continental federations, and prominent local and regional ambassadors for the game.
On the competition front, the shortlist for the Best Men's Player award is witnessing fierce competition among a constellation of the brightest stars. The list features Frenchman Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain), winner of this year's Ballon d'Or, alongside Egyptian star Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) and Moroccan Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), reflecting a strong Arab presence on the international stage. The list also includes luminaries such as Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Pedri and Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), and other stars who have delivered exceptional performances. This competition is for the title to be won by Brazilian Vinicius Junior, who claimed it last year.
Historically, The Best FIFA Football Awards, launched in 2016 after FIFA separated from the Ballon d'Or, are considered one of the most prestigious individual accolades in the world of football. The award relies on rigorous criteria to evaluate both individual and team performance, granting it high credibility among fans and players alike. Qatar's hosting of this edition further solidifies its status as a global sporting capital, building upon the significant legacy of hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Regarding the selection process, fans played a pivotal role in determining the winners, with a record-breaking 16 million votes cast from across the globe. FIFA employs a balanced system, distributing the votes equally (25% for each category) between the public vote, the selections of national team captains and coaches, and accredited media representatives. Public participation also included voting for the Team of the Year, the Puskás Award for the best goal, and the Marta Award, in partnership with a panel of FIFA legends.
