The FIFA The Best Football Awards 2025 has unveiled its nominees, with several African players making the shortlist. Mohamed Salah of Egypt and Liverpool, Achraf Hakimi of Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain, Temwa Chawinga of Malawi, and Chiamaka Nnadozie of Nigeria are among the notable African nominees.

Salah, instrumental in Liverpool’s recent performances, is a contender for the FIFA Men’s Player award. He faces stiff competition from top players, including Kylian Mbappé of France and Real Madrid, Erling Haaland of Norway and Manchester City, and Vinícius Júnior of Brazil and Real Madrid. Hakimi, a right-back for Paris Saint-Germain and the Moroccan national team, is also in the running for the Men’s Player award.

On the women’s side, Temwa Chawinga has made history as the first Malawian player to be nominated for The Best FIFA Women’s Player award. Chiamaka Nnadozie, a Nigerian goalkeeper, has been shortlisted for The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award, following an outstanding year with Paris FC and the Nigerian women’s national team.

The nominations highlight the growing presence of African players in top-tier football. Paris Saint-Germain, with players like Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, and Vitinha, has the most nominated players, demonstrating the club’s dominance this season. The awards, which recognize the best players, coaches, and goalkeepers in the world, will be closely watched by football fans globally.

The nominations are a testament to the increasing competitiveness of African football, with players from the continent making significant contributions to top European clubs. The awards ceremony will provide a platform to celebrate the achievements of these players and inspire future generations of footballers. As the football community awaits the announcement of the winners, the nominations have already sparked excitement and anticipation among fans, with many eager to see which players will take home the coveted awards.