How FIFA’s “The Best” Awards Are Shaping the Future of Global Football
Every year the FIFA The Best ceremony brings together the sport’s biggest names – from the women’s game superstar Ewa Pajor to the men’s elite goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny and the ever‑present Robert Lewandowski. While the glittering night in Doha celebrates past achievements, it also hints at long‑term trends that will redefine how football is played, marketed and rewarded.
1. The Rise of Women’s Football in Award Recognition
In the past decade, women’s football has moved from the periphery to the main stage. Pajor’s nomination for Best Women’s Player follows Barcelona’s historic treble in Spain and a deep run in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. The club’s 43 goals in 46 matches this season set a new scoring record for a Polish forward in a major European league.
Expect the next five editions of The Best to feature a broader set of categories – such as “Best Rising Female Star” and “Best Female Coach” – as sponsorship deals increasingly target the women’s market, which grew by 23 % in global viewership from 2022 to 2024 (Statista).
2. Data‑Driven Voting: From Journalists to AI‑Assisted Selections
The current voting system combines national team coaches, captains, selected journalists and fan votes via FIFA’s platforms. However, the growing reliance on analytics is prompting a shift. By 2025, several federations plan to integrate performance indices (e.g., expected goals, save‑percentage adjusted for shot quality) into the nomination process, ensuring that “the best” reflects objective metrics as much as popularity.
For instance, Opta Sports already supplies detailed data that helped Szczęsny’s 72 % save rate stand out against other candidates for goalkeeper of the year. In the next award cycle, we may see a “Statistical Excellence” badge alongside the traditional vote.
3. Global Fan Engagement and the “Vote Anywhere” Trend
Fans now have a direct voice through mobile apps, social media polls, and QR‑code voting at stadiums. This democratization expands the audience base and drives higher social engagement rates – a key KPI for sponsors. Expect future ceremonies to feature real‑time fan‑driven highlights, interactive AR experiences, and even NFT‑based voting tokens that reward participants with exclusive digital collectibles.
Case in point: The 2024 “Fan Vote” portal recorded 3.8 million votes worldwide, a 40 % increase over the previous year (FIFA Official Report).
4. Club Dominance and Its Ripple Effect on Individual Awards
Barcelona’s dominance in both men’s and women’s competitions is creating a talent pipeline for award nominations. With club legends like Lewandowski, and emerging stars such as Ousmane Dembele competing for the men’s “Player of the Year,” the concentration of elite talent raises questions about competitive balance.
Data from Transfermarkt shows that clubs finishing in the top three of their domestic league contribute 57 % of all nominees across the major categories. Over the next decade, we may see a restructuring of the award categories to recognize “Best Player from Emerging League,” acknowledging outstanding performances outside the traditional powerhouses.
5. The Growing Importance of Fair Play and Social Responsibility
Beyond the pitch, FIFA is amplifying awards for Fair Play, community outreach, and sustainability. The Fair Play of the Year award, for example, will likely reference measurable impact – such as carbon‑offset initiatives or youth‑development programs. Clubs that embed ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) values into their operations may gain a competitive edge in award voting.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who decides the winners of FIFA The Best awards?
- The final results are a weighted mix of votes from national team coaches, captains, selected journalists and global fan voting through FIFA’s official platforms.
- When and where is the next ceremony scheduled?
- The ceremony is traditionally held in late December in Doha, Qatar, with the live broadcast starting at 18:00 CET.
- Can a player be nominated in multiple categories?
- Yes. For example, Robert Lewandowski is a candidate for both “Best Men’s Player” and “Team of the Year” (the Best XI).
- How does the voting system prevent bias?
- FIFA applies a 25 % weight to each voting group (coaches, captains, journalists, fans) to balance expertise and popular opinion.
- Will there be new categories for emerging markets?
- FIFA has hinted at introducing “Best Player from Emerging League” and “Best Young Talent” to showcase talent beyond the traditional top‑5 European leagues.
What’s Next for Football’s Biggest Night?
As clubs like FC Barcelona continue to dominate both the men’s and women’s stages, and as data, fan interaction, and social responsibility become integral to the sport, The Best awards will evolve from a simple trophy ceremony into a barometer of football’s wider cultural impact.
Stay tuned for in‑depth analyses of each nominee, and discover how you can subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive insights and behind‑the‑scenes coverage of the awards.
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