FIFA Best Awards: Erling Haaland Steals the Spotlight and Manchester City Dominates with Jaw-Dropping Nominations, But That's Not All!
Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola lead Manchester City's dominance in the FIFA Best Awards shortlist The nominations include Rachel Daly, Lauren James, and Jenni Hermoso Notably absent is the now-sacked Jorge Vilda Excitement builds as the Best FIFA players, coaches, goalkeepers, and the Fan Award nominees are revealed
The Best FIFA Men's Player award nominees include Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland. Additionally, five members of England's Women's World Cup finalists are in contention for prizes. Haaland is joined by six Manchester City treble-winners, including goalkeeper Ederson. Pep Guardiola, their manager, is nominated for the men's coach prize. Ange Postecoglou, the current Tottenham boss, is also in the running for the award after securing a treble with Celtic.
City dominates the men's player list with half of the nominees, but there is also Declan Rice, who led West Ham to victory in the Europa Conference League last season, included in the 12-strong list. Ederson faces competition from Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois and Andre Onana for the goalkeeper prize. Onana, who won the Italian Cup and reached the Champions League final with Inter Milan, recently joined Manchester United.
The qualifying period for the men's awards runs from December 19, 2022 - the day after current award-holder Messi helped Argentina to World Cup glory - to August 2023.
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Lionel Messi is the reigning FIFA Best Men's Player Award holder
England's Lionesses have been acknowledged for their remarkable achievement of reaching the final of the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Rachel Daly, Alex Greenwood, Lauren James, and Keira Walsh are nominated for The Best FIFA Women's Player, while Mary Earps competes for the title of The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper. Additionally, four Spanish players, including Jenni Hermoso, are aiming to secure victory and follow in the footsteps of last year's winner, Alexia Putellas.
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Five finalists from England's Women's World Cup team have been included in the lists. Sarina Wiegman, the head coach of England's women's team, and Emma Hayes, the victorious coach of Chelsea's Women's Super League team, have both been nominated for The Best FIFA Women's Coach award. However, Jorge Vilda, the dismissed head coach of Spain's women's team, did not receive a nomination.
The women's awards will be given based on performances between August 1, 2022, and August 20, 2023. A panel of football experts selected the nominees from longer lists provided by FIFA, considering the candidates' achievements during the eligible periods for the awards. An international jury composed of coaches, captains, journalists, and fans will determine the winners for the player, goalkeeper, and coach categories.
