Starting in 2026, this ceremony will be the sole official annual FIFA awards event, bringing together the most influential figures in football to celebrate the top players, teams, and achievements from the previous year.
The announcement occurred at the World Sports Summit, where FIFA and the DSC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize their new collaboration.
“We are excited to partner with Dubai, a city that embodies the spirit of football, as we create this exceptional event,” stated FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “These world football awards will transcend a typical award ceremony; they will provide an innovative platform to honor the official top talents of the year on and off the field.”
Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the DSC, remarked, “The Dubai Sports Council has a strong alliance with FIFA, which has led to various initiatives announced by Gianni Infantino from Dubai recently, making a significant impact on the global football scene.
“We are thrilled to announce this new agreement, which highlights our ongoing partnership and reinforces Dubai’s prominent place on the global football stage. It also demonstrates Dubai’s commitment to advancing the game worldwide and shaping a bright future for the most popular sport through innovative initiatives, recognizing exceptional individuals, and hosting significant events,” he added.
“Dubai is dedicated to fostering the development of the global sports landscape, especially football, and has all the essential components for achieving success in this role, ensuring a remarkable Emirati influence on global sports.”
Details regarding award categories, the nomination and voting processes, and event dates will be provided in due course.
