The football world turns its gaze to Qatar this Tuesday evening for one of the sport's most prestigious nights: The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025. The ceremony will honour the standout performers from across the men's and women's game over the past year, with a host of global superstars in contention for the top prizes.
When and Where to Watch the Ceremony
The glitzy event is scheduled for Tuesday, 16 December, at the Fairmont Katara Hall in Doha, Qatar. Proceedings are set to kick off at 8:00 pm local time (5:00 pm GMT). The choice of Doha is strategic, as it forms part of a "football festival" week in the city, culminating in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final just two days later.
For fans in the UK and around the world, watching could not be easier. The entire awards show will be streamed live and completely free of charge on FIFA's own digital platforms. You can tune in via the official FIFA website or the dedicated FIFA+ service. While no paid subscription is necessary, viewers may need to register for a free account to access the highest quality stream.
Men's and Women's Player of the Year Contenders
The race for the men's crown is fiercely contested. The shortlist is headlined by Paris Saint-Germain's French winger Ousmane Dembélé and Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. They are joined by other luminaries including Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé, Bayern Munich's Harry Kane, and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah. The notable exclusion of Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior from the final list has generated considerable debate among supporters and analysts.
On the women's side, the spotlight falls on the reigning champion, Barcelona's midfield maestro Aitana Bonmatí. She leads a field bursting with Spanish and English talent, featuring her club colleagues Alexia Putellas and Patri Guijarro. The English Women's Super League is strongly represented by Chelsea duo Lauren James and Lucy Bronze, who are both in the running for the top honour.
Expert Predictions and Other Key Awards
In the men's category, Ousmane Dembélé is the overwhelming favourite to lift the trophy. His claim is bolstered by winning the Ballon d'Or earlier this year and spearheading PSG to a historic treble. However, Lamine Yamal's electrifying breakout season makes him a serious dark horse, with his phenomenal form potentially swaying the votes of national team captains.
It would constitute a major upset if the women's award went to anyone other than Aitana Bonmatí. Having already secured the Ballon d'Or Féminin, she is widely tipped to complete a remarkable "double-treble" of individual accolades, cementing her status as the dominant force in the women's game.
The coaching awards also promise intrigue. For the men's prize, Luis Enrique (PSG) and Hansi Flick (Barcelona) are the frontrunners, recognised for their European and domestic successes. In the women's game, England manager Sarina Wiegman and Chelsea's Sonia Bompastor are the leading contenders after stellar campaigns.
In awards already decided, Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) has won the Men's Goalkeeper award, while England's Hannah Hampton took the women's equivalent. Furthermore, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal is anticipated to receive the Puskás Award for the best goal of the year, which could serve as a consolation if he misses out on the main Player award.
All will be revealed live from Doha in what promises to be a captivating celebration of footballing excellence over the past calendar year.
