The global football community is set to turn its attention to the Middle East once again, as Dubai has been officially announced as the host city for the next edition of the FIFA Best Awards. The confirmation was made by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, marking another significant milestone in the region’s growing influence within international sport.
The FIFA Best Awards are among the most prestigious honours in world football, recognising outstanding achievements across both the men’s and women’s games. Each year, the ceremony celebrates the finest footballers, coaches, goalkeepers and teams, highlighting excellence, leadership and sporting integrity at the highest level of the game. The awards are determined through a comprehensive voting system that includes football fans, media representatives, national team captains and head coaches, ensuring a broad and democratic reflection of global opinion.
Speaking at the World Sports Summit held in Dubai, Infantino revealed that FIFA had finalised a new strategic partnership to bring the awards ceremony to the Emirate. “I am delighted to announce that we have concluded a new partnership here in Dubai,” he said. “This collaboration will allow us to honour the world’s best players, coaches and teams in a city that truly represents innovation, ambition and global connectivity.”
Infantino also emphasised the broader cultural and unifying role of sport, stating that football has a unique power to bring people together across borders and backgrounds. “We have enjoyed football for generations,” he added. “But even more importantly, we continue to enjoy the unity that sport brings to the entire world.”
Dubai’s selection as host city reflects its rapidly expanding profile as a global sporting hub. With world-class infrastructure, cutting-edge venues and a proven track record of hosting major international events, the city offers an ideal stage for an occasion of this magnitude. Analysts believe the decision further underscores FIFA’s commitment to expanding football’s global reach and embracing diverse regions beyond its traditional European and South American centres.
The most recent FIFA Best Awards ceremony took place in Doha, Qatar, in 2025, continuing the Middle East’s strong presence on the international football calendar. That evening celebrated exceptional individual performances from across the footballing world, with stars from Europe once again taking centre stage.
Highlights from the 2025 FIFA Best Awards (Doha)
| Category | Winner | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Best Men’s Player | Ousmane Dembélé | France |
| Best Women’s Player | Aitana Bonmatí | Spain |
French forward Ousmane Dembélé claimed the Best Men’s Player award following a season marked by decisive performances and attacking brilliance, while Spain’s midfield maestro Aitana Bonmatí secured the women’s honour after another year of consistent excellence at both club and international levels.
As anticipation builds for the Dubai edition, expectations are high that the upcoming ceremony will not only celebrate footballing excellence but also reinforce the sport’s enduring power to unite fans across continents.