The Best FIFA Awards 2025 live: FIFA to crown the year’s top football talents during a glitzy ceremony today
FIFA is hosting its annual The Best Awards in Qatar, delivering a star-studded gala designed to stand beside France Football’s iconic Ballon d’Or. The event spotlights the standout men’s and women’s players of the year, with potential winners including past Ballon d’Or recipients such as Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí, along with prolific names like Lamine Yamal, Cole Palmer, Harry Kane, Chloe Kelly, Lauren James, and Mariona Caldente y.
In addition to the player categories, the ceremony will honor coaches of the year, the top goalkeeper, and the year’s best goals. The event marks FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s presence in Qatar, fresh off announcing the World Cup draw in Washington and presenting the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to Donald Trump.
Follow The Independent’s live coverage below for the latest updates, reactions, and results.
Awards on offer
Men’s categories:
- Best FIFA Men’s Player
- Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper
- Best FIFA Men’s Coach
- FIFA Puskás Award (goal of the year)
- FIFA/FIFPro Men’s World XI
Women’s categories:
- Best FIFA Women’s Player
- Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper
- Best FIFA Women’s Coach
- FIFA / Puskás-era Marta Award (goal of the year)
- FIFA/FIFPro Women’s World XI
Two additional honors will be presented: the FIFA Fan Award and the FIFA Fair Play Award.
Timeline and viewing details
The ceremony unfolds tonight in Doha and will be streamed live from 5:00 PM GMT on FIFA’s official site.
Background and context
Formerly known as the FIFA World Player of the Year, the ceremony adopted its current title in 2016. With more than three decades of history, it aims to recognize the year’s best players, coaches, and goals and serves as FIFA’s internal counterpart to the Ballon d’Or.
Live coverage and anticipation
Welcome to The Independent’s live blog of the FIFA Best Awards, where you’ll find build-up, results, and post-event commentary as the night unfolds in Qatar.
Would you agree that this year’s lineup mirrors or diverges from ballot-box expectations? Which picks surprise you, and which outcomes do you think will spark the fiercest debate in the comments?
