FIFA has announced the nominations for the The Best FIFA. Among the women, the USA dominates with five players competing for the prize of best footballer who will challenge the big favorite Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona fresh from the second Ballon d’Or in his career. But also watch out for Barbra Banda recently appointed by BBC as the best player of 2024 thanks to her performances in leading the Orlando Pride to success in the NWSL. As far as male and female coaches are concerned, the challenge should instead be between the English Emma Hayes and Spanish Jonathan Giraldezwhile between the goalkeepers the battle becomes more intense with the Spanish one Cata Call which could be undermined by the American Naeher and the English Earps.
Not much Italy in the nominations with only two representatives playing in our country: Saki Kumagai of Roma who appears on the list of midfielders to be voted for in the ideal eleven and the Biancoceleste Giuseppina Moraca who is instead in the running for the best goal award (the Marta Award) with his goal in last year’s Bologna-Lazio in Serie B.
The Best FIFA Women’s Player: the candidates
• Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Barcelona
• Barbra Banda (Zambia), Shanghai Shengli/Orlando Pride
• Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway), Barcelona
• Keira Walsh (England), Barcelona
• Khadija Shaw (Jamaica), Manchester City
• Lauren Hemp (England), Manchester City
• Lindsey Horan (USA), Olympique Lyon
• Lucy Bronze (England), Barcelona/Chelsea
• Mallory Swanson (USA), Chicago Red Stars
• Mariona Caldentey (Spain), Barcelona/Arsenal
• Naomi Girma (USA), San Diego Wave
• Ona Batlle (Spain), Barcelona
• Salma Paralluelo (Spain), Barcelona
• Sophia Smith (USA), Portland Thorns
• Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi), Paris Saint-Germain/Olympique Lyon
• Trinity Rodman (USA), Washington Spirit
The Best FIFA Women’s Coach: the candidates
• Arthur Elias (Brazil), Brazil
• Elena Sadiku (Sweden), Celtic
• Emma Hayes (England), Chelsea/USA
• Futoshi Ikeda (Japan), Japan
• Gareth Taylor (England), Manchester City
• Jonatan Giraldez (Spain), Barcelona/Washington Spirit
• Sandrine Soubeyrand (France), Paris FC
• Sonia Bompastor (France), Olympique Lyon/Chelsea
The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper: the candidates
• Alyssa Naeher (USA), Chicago Red Stars
• Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany), Chelsea/NJ/NY Gotham
• Ayaka Yamashita (Japan), INAC Kobe Leonessa/Manchester City
• Cata Coll (Spain), Barcelona
• Mary Earps (England), Manchester United/Paris Saint-Germain
FIFA Marta Award: the candidates
Delphine Cascarino
Olympique Lyonnais v. Benfica | UEFA Women’s Champions League | 27 Mar 2024
Marina Hegering
Essen v. Wolfsburg | Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga | 29 Jan 2024
Sakina Karchaoui
France v. Sweden | UEFA Women’s EURO qualifying | 12 Jul 2024
Paulina Krumbiegel
Duisburg v. Hoffenheim | Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga | 02 Feb 2024
Martha
Brazil v. Jamaica | Friendly | 01 Jun 2024
Nina Matejić
Serbia v. England | UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship | 17 Jul 2024
Beth Mead
Arsenal v. West Ham | Barclays Women’s Super League | 26 Nov 2023
Giuseppina Moraca
Lazio v. Bologna | Women’s Serie B Division | 15 Oct 2023
Asisat Oshoala
Barcelona v. Benfica | UEFA Women’s Champions League | 14 Nov 2023
Mayra Pelayo
Mexico v. USA | Concacaf W Gold Cup | 27 Feb 2024
Trinity Rodman
USA v. Japan | Olympics | 03 Aug 2024