FIFA reveals African stars set for FIFA 2025 Awards showdown
The winners will be chosen by an international jury and registered FIFA fans from around the world.
African footballers are set to challenge the sport’s biggest global names at the FIFA The Best Football Awards 2025, with Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Malawi’s Temwa Chaŵinga and Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie earning nominations in key categories.
Mohamed Salah
Salah, who remains a cornerstone at Liverpool, has been shortlisted for The Best FIFA Men’s Player award, joining a field that includes Kylian Mbappé (France/Real Madrid), Erling Haaland (Norway/Manchester City), and Vinícius Júnior (Brazil/Real Madrid).
Liverpool’s Egyptian forward ruled the English Premier League in 2024/25 with his phenomenal attacking returns firing the Anfield outfit to their 20th top-flight crown as they finished 10 points clear of nearest challengers Arsenal and 13 ahead of outgoing champions Manchester City.
Salah recorded a Premier League record-equalling 47 goal contributions, with 29 goals and 18 assists seeing him claim the division’s Golden Boot honours and unsurprisingly be named player of the season. Salah was also named in the CAF team of the year for 2024 for his displays with Egypt.
Achraf Hakimi
Paris Saint-Germain defender Hakimi is also among The Best FIFA Men’s Player award nominees after another strong season in Ligue 1 and a series of standout performances for Morocco.
Morocco international Hakimi cemented his status as one of the most revered wing-backs in world football after another trophy-laden campaign for Paris Saint-Germain, where his attacking instincts contributed to a first-ever UEFA Champions League crown for the French giants.
Hakimi was a constant threat to opposition defences during the FIFA Club World Cup, scoring two goals and providing two assists, as PSG cruised through to the final with knockout victories over Inter Miami, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in which they scored 10 and conceded none.
Temwa Chaŵinga
On the women’s side, Chaŵinga made history as the first Malawian player nominated for The Best FIFA Women’s Player award. The forward’s prolific form with Wuhan Jiangda in China and consistent scoring for Malawi’s national team have earned her international recognition.
Chaŵinga was named the MVP of the 2024 USA National Women's Soccer League Won the 2024 USA National Women's Soccer League Golden Boot (set a new single-season USA National Women's Soccer League goalscoring record, 20 goals).
She was also mamed in the 2024 USA National Women's Soccer League Best XI Won the 2024 USA National Women's Soccer League x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup (scored twice in the final)
Chiamaka Nnadozie
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie is shortlisted for The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper, following an outstanding year with Paris FC and the Super Falcons. She will compete against Mary Earps (England/Manchester United) and Catalina Coll (Spain/Barcelona).
The winners, who will be announced at The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony on a date yet to be announced, will be chosen by an international jury composed of the current coaches of the men's national teams (one per team), the current captains of the men's national teams (one per team), a specialist journalist representing each team's territory, and registered FIFA fans from around the world. The voting period will end on 28 November.