World Football Awards Debuts In Dubai As FIFA And DSC Sign Partnership

Dubai is set to stage a new annual world football awards ceremony from 2026, after FIFA confirmed a partnership with local sports authorities. The event will be FIFA’s only official yearly awards platform, recognising leading players, teams and achievements from the previous season, and will take place in the presence of global football figures.

The launch was announced during the World Sports Summit in Dubai, attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino. During the summit, FIFA and the Dubai Sports Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding that formalised the new collaboration.

H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed highlighted the existing cooperation between the Dubai Sports Council and FIFA, noting that several joint initiatives were revealed from Dubai in recent years. These projects, announced by Gianni Infantino, have had effects on football at international level and strengthened Dubai’s links with the game.

H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed stated: "The Dubai Sports Council enjoys a strong partnership with FIFA, which has resulted in numerous initiatives announced by Gianni Infantino from Dubai in recent times, impacting the global football landscape." "We are pleased to announce this new agreement, which underscores the continued cooperation between us and reflects Dubai’s prominent position on the global football map. It also highlights Dubai’s role in developing the game worldwide and shaping a brighter future for the world’s biggest and most popular sport through launching pioneering initiatives, honouring outstanding individuals, and hosting major events," he added.

H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed affirmed that Dubai aims to help advance international sport, with a particular focus on football. He said the emirate has the infrastructure, experience and organisational capabilities needed to perform this role, and to ensure that Emirati efforts leave a clear mark on global sporting activity.

Gianni Infantino outlined FIFA’s expectations for the world football awards in Dubai. Gianni Infantino said: "We are delighted to join forces with Dubai, a city that lives and breathes football, as we develop this world-class event. These world football awards will not just be an award ceremony but an innovative way to celebrate football and honour the official top performers of the year both on and off the pitch."

The new world football awards will gather leading figures from across men’s and women’s football, with the format designed to honour top performances each year. FIFA said more details on the awards list, nomination rules, voting procedures and exact event schedule will be released later, as planning continues with partners in Dubai.

With inputs from WAM