Dubai will host the FIFA Best Football Awards in 2026. FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed the news at the World Sports Summit, highlighting Dubai’s rising influence in global football and major sports events.
This announcement marks a shift in where football’s top annual awards are held. FIFA is now looking more to the Middle East as a center for major ceremonies, international meetings, and sports discussions.
The Best FIFA Football Awards honor top players, coaches, and teams in both men’s and women’s football. Winners are chosen by votes from national team captains, coaches, media, and fans around the world.
A Strategic Move with Real Impact
The awards ceremony has usually been held in Europe, but bringing it to Dubai shows how global football is changing. Dubai has become a neutral, international meeting place, both in location and politics, and can host large events with teams from all over the world.
Infantino said choosing Dubai fits FIFA’s goal of using football to bring people together. He pointed to Dubai’s strong infrastructure, good connections, and experience hosting big sports events.
Dubai already hosts the Globe Soccer Awards, a major event in football, and is now a regular stop for international federations, clubs, and football organizations.
The Best FIFA Awards: Global Recognition
The Best FIFA Football Awards began in 2016 after FIFA ended its partnership with the Ballon d’Or. The awards honor outstanding achievements in several categories, including:
- Best FIFA Men’s Player
- Best FIFA Women’s Player
- Best FIFA Coach (Men’s and Women’s)
- FIFA Puskás Award (Goal of the Year)
- FIFA Fair Play Award
At the most recent ceremony in Doha, Ousmane Dembélé won Best FIFA Men’s Player and Aitana Bonmatí won Best FIFA Women’s Player. These awards remain some of the most watched in football each year.
Dubai’s Expanding Role in Football
Hosting the FIFA Best Awards further grows Dubai’s role in world football. The city already hosts international friendlies, training camps, meetings, and business events for the sport.
This decision is part of FIFA’s plan to connect more with the world before big tournaments later this decade, such as larger World Cups and changes to the international schedule.
The exact venue and date for the 2026 ceremony will be announced soon. The event is expected to bring together top football stars, media, and business partners from around the world.
As football’s focus shifts, holding one of its biggest award nights in Dubai shows how the sport is changing. Now, influence, strong infrastructure, and global reach play a bigger role in where football’s top events happen.
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