FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced that “The Best” FIFA Football Awards will be replaced starting in 2026 by a new, official joint initiative hosted in Dubai.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced that “The Best” awards will be discontinued and replaced by a new official initiative starting in 2026.
Speaking at the World Sports Summit in Dubai, Infantino confirmed a joint venture with the Dubai Sports Council to host the organization’s sole annual awards ceremony.
This strategic shift moves FIFA’s primary honors from Europe to the Middle East, formalizing a new era for recognizing excellence in both men’s and women’s football.
The new agreement, signed by Infantino and Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, establishes Dubai as the permanent home for FIFA’s official honors.
“Starting in 2026, this will be FIFA’s only official annual awards ceremony and will bring together the most prominent figures in world football to honor the best players, teams, and achievements,” FIFA stated.
Infantino added that the event would be an “innovative way to celebrate football” both on and off the pitch.
The 2025 edition of “The Best” served as the final ceremony under the previous format, with Ousmane Dembele claiming the top men’s prize.
The awards leave behind a significant legacy, with Lionel Messi holding the record for the most men’s wins (three).
While specific categories for the 2026 revamp remain unannounced, the move is seen as a direct effort by FIFA to compete for prestige against established honors like the Ballon d’Or and the Globe Soccer Awards.