FIFA officially announced that it will cooperate with the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), a relevant institution in the UAE, to launch a brand-new awards ceremony, which will also feature newly established awards.
The new awards ceremony will replace the existing one and become the only FIFA-officially authorized global awards ceremony. Newly established awards will be presented at the new ceremony, with specific award names and selection methods to be announced later.
Starting from 2026, the new awards ceremony will be held in Dubai.
Official Announcement Text
In the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), announced the launch of a new annual world football awards gala in Dubai.
Starting from 2026, this event will serve as FIFA’s only official annual awards ceremony, gathering the world’s most influential figures in football to honor the best players, teams and outstanding achievements in the "beautiful game" over the past year.
The news was officially announced at the World Sports Summit currently being held in Dubai, where FIFA and the Dubai Sports Council confirmed this new cooperative relationship by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “We are very pleased to cooperate with Dubai. This is a city that truly loves and breathes football, and we will jointly create this world-class event. These world football awards are not just an awards ceremony, but an innovative way to celebrate football and recognize the top official performers on and off the field every year.”
His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, said: "The Dubai Sports Council maintains a solid and profound cooperative relationship with FIFA. In recent years, several initiatives launched by Gianni Infantino from Dubai have had a far-reaching impact on the global football pattern. We are delighted to announce this new agreement, which highlights the continuous deepening of cooperation between the two parties and reflects Dubai’s important position in the global football map. At the same time, it also demonstrates Dubai’s role in promoting the global development of football, shaping a brighter future for the world’s largest and most popular sport through pioneering initiatives, honoring outstanding figures and hosting major events," he added.
He also said: “Dubai is committed to supporting the development of the global sports system, especially football, and has all the necessary elements to successfully fulfill this role, thereby ensuring that the UAE exerts an important and far-reaching influence in the global sports field.”
Further information on award categories, nomination and voting mechanisms, and specific event dates will be announced in due course.
