Five Lionesses have been nominated for The Best FIFA Women’s Player 2025 as FIFA announce the shortlist for their awards, likely to be held in January 2026.
Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly, Leah Williamson, Lucy Bronze and Lauren James are amongst the 17 names that will be considered for the award. Barclays WSL stars Mariona Caldentey, Nathalie Björn and Sandy Baltimore are also included.
There is also strong English representation for The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award. England’s Hannah Hampton is included after her influential role in Chelsea’s domestic treble and England’s victory at Euro 2025 this summer. Anna Moorhouse is also shortlisted after her title-winning run with Orlando Pride in the NWSL. There are also places for Nigeria and Brighton shot-stopper Chiamaka Nnadozie and Manchester United’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Sarina Wiegman has made the shortlist for The Best Women’s Coach 2025 after winning her third European title in a row with England this summer. Renée Slegers and Sonia Bompastor are also nominated. The Arsenal manager led the Gunners to a memorable Champions League title back in May while the Chelsea coach led her team to an unbeaten domestic treble.
The shortlist has been decided by a panel of women’s fotball experts. The Best FIFA Women’s XI will also be released while the nominees for the Marta award (the best goal of the year) are still to be announced.
Four groups of voters – coaches; captains; media; and fans – will select three candidates for each of the awards. Fans registered on FIFA.com can also vote on each of the awards. Each group will carry the same electoral weight and voting will conclude at 22:59 GMT on 28th November 2025.
