FIFA announced in a statement released on Sunday that Doha, Qatar, will host The Best Awards ceremony on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, starting at 8:00 PM (Mecca time).
In the previous edition, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior was crowned Best Men’s Player, while Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí won the Best Women’s Player award.
The competition for the Best Men’s Player award this year is expected to be particularly fierce, with the shortlist including recent Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, Rafinha, Lamine Yamal, Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé.
FIFA also clarified that voting for all categories officially closed on November 28, in accordance with the established schedule. The voting process included national team coaches and captains, media representatives, and fans from around the world.
The international body also revealed that more than 16 million votes were cast by the public, underscoring the crucial role fans play in selecting the winners, particularly for the Best Player and Best Women’s awards.
