The Best FIFA Awards are about to get underway, with some of the world's best players nominated for a range of men's and women's awards
The Best FIFA Awards ceremony will soon begin(Image: Getty)
Everything you need to know before the Best FIFA Football Awards gets underway in Qatar
When and Where: The ceremony kicks off on December 16, at 8pm local time (5pm GMT) inside the Fairmont Katara Hall in Doha, Qatar. FIFA selected this venue to align with the ongoing "football festival" week, taking advantage of the fact that many nominees are already in the city for the upcoming Intercontinental Cup final.
Streaming Details: You can catch every moment of the gala without paying a penny by tuning into the free live stream on FIFA+ or the main FIFA website. While creating an account isn't strictly necessary, signing up for free is the best way to ensure a stable, high-quality viewing experience.
Top Men's Contenders: The men's shortlist features heavy hitters like PSG's Ousmane Dembélé and Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, along with global stars Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah and Kylian Mbappé. The biggest talking point leading up to the event has been the surprise exclusion of Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior, which has left many fans and pundits baffled.
Men's Winner Prediction: Fresh off his Ballon d'Or victory and a treble-winning campaign with PSG, Ousmane Dembélé is widely expected to claim the night's biggest honour. However, Lamine Yamal's rapid rise to stardom makes him a dangerous underdog, as his flair and creativity may have captured the hearts of the voting captains and coaches.
Top Women's Contenders: Defending champion Aitana Bonmatí headlines a list packed with Spanish excellence, including teammate Alexia Putellas, alongside top talent from the English game. Chelsea standouts Lauren James and Lucy Bronze are also in the running, representing a strong year for players competing in the Women's Super League.
Women's Winner Prediction: Aitana Bonmatí is the overwhelming favourite to retain her title, and failing to win would be considered a massive upset in the football world. A victory tonight would secure a clean sweep of major individual accolades for the Barcelona midfielder, cementing her status as the undisputed best player on the planet.
Best Coach: On the touchline, PSG's Luis Enrique and Barcelona's Hansi Flick are the frontrunners for the men's coaching prize after dominant seasons in Europe. The women's category looks to be a tight contest between England manager Sarina Wiegman and Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor, both of whom have enjoyed exceptional years.
Goalkeepers and Best Goal: Between the posts, PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma and Chelsea's Hannah Hampton have already been announced as the winners of the men's and women's goalkeeping trophies. Santiago Montiel has won the Puskás Award for the year's best goal.
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