Dubai to host 2026 FIFA Best Awards
World Sports Summit highlights football’s global influence and growth
DUBAI – Dubai has been officially confirmed as the host city for the 2026 FIFA Best Awards, one of football’s most prestigious ceremonies.
The announcement was made by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the World Sports Summit at Madinat Jumeirah on Monday, attended by over 1,500 sports leaders, experts, and athletes. Under the theme "Uniting the World Through Sports", the summit showcased Dubai’s emergence as a global hub for sport.
ضمن أعمال "القمة العالمية للرياضة" في دبي، حمدان بن محمد يشهد توقيع شراكة بين "الفيفا" ومجلس دبي الرياضي لإطلاق جائزة عالمية جديدة من دبي في 2026، على أن يتم الإعلان عن تفاصيلها ومعايير الترشح، والفئات المستهدفة من مختلف دول العالم خلال المرحلة المقبلة. pic.twitter.com/wQxYE4ZKKp
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 29, 2025
Infantino remarked, “We have enjoyed the sport, and now we will enjoy even more the unity the sport brings to the entire world.” The FIFA Best Awards celebrate excellence in men’s and women’s football, recognising players, coaches, and teams through votes from fans, media, captains, and national team coaches.
World Sports Summit
The World Sports Summit featured appearances from sporting legends including Ronaldo Nazário, Novak Djokovic, Paula Badosa, and Oleksandr Usyk. Infantino’s keynote, "The Next Ninety Minutes", focused on football’s evolving landscape and the unifying power of sport. Sessions over the two days explored football, mixed martial arts, sports management, investment, and even the connection between athletes and fashion.
Day one of the World Sports Summit, organised by the Dubai Sports Council, with the participation of more than 1,500 sports leaders and stars, alongside presidents and representatives of sports institutions and federations from over 50 countries. pic.twitter.com/cc8LJjxl1B
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 29, 2025
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, emphasised the summit’s role in shaping the future of sport both in the UAE and internationally. “This event will bring together leaders, specialists, and professionals to create strategies that advance global sports development,” he said.
2026 FIFA Best Awards
The 2026 FIFA Best Awards will bring the world’s top football figures to Dubai. Previous winners include French forward Ousmane Dembele, named 2025 men’s player of the year, and Spain’s Aitana Bonmati, winner of the women’s award. Coaches Luis Enrique and Sarina Wiegman were also honoured.
Dubai has solidified its reputation as a premier destination for high-profile sports events. The recent Globe Soccer Awards, which featured Cristiano Ronaldo receiving the Best Middle East Player award, further reinforced the city’s position as a magnet for global football talent.
Looking ahead to 2026
Set to follow the 2026 World Cup, the FIFA Best Awards in Dubai are expected to attract a mix of football legends, rising stars, and key industry figures. The event will highlight the most outstanding performances of the year and provide a platform for celebrating football at its very best. Fans and media alike are poised for a ceremony filled with star power and unforgettable moments.