The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025: Arsenal and Chelsea stars among nominees as shortlists revealed

Chelsea star Cole Palmer has been nominated for The Best FIFA Men’s Player along with current Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele. Palmer is one of two Premier League representatives in contention for the Men’s Player accolade, along with Mohamed Salah following his stunning 2024-25 campaign for Liverpool. Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is up for the The Best FIFA Men’s Coach award, though faces competition from the likes of Blues head coach Enzo Maresca, Arne Slot and Luis Enrique. Elsewhere, Leah Williamson, Lauren James, Lucy Bronze, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo are all among the nominees for The Best FIFA Women’s Player, along with three-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati. The Awards reward the best in each category, regardless of championship or nationality, for their respective achievements during the period from August 11, 2024 to August 2, 2025. The six categories are, The Best FIFA Men’s Player, The Best FIFA Men’s Coach and The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper and for The Best FIFA Women’s Player, The Best FIFA Women’s Coach and The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper.