President Gianni Infantino and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, announced the launch of the new annual World Football Awards to be held in the UAE.
Starting in 2026, the event will be FIFA’s only official annual awards ceremony, bringing together football’s most influential figures from around the world to celebrate the best players, teams and achievements of the previous year.
The announcement was made at the World Sports Summit in Dubai, where FIFA and the DSC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) confirming the new partnership.
“We are delighted to join forces with Dubai, a city that lives and breathes football, to develop this world-class event,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“These World Football Awards will be more than just an awards ceremony, but an innovative way to celebrate football and honor the official best players of the year both on and off the pitch.”
FIFA and Dubai Sports Council sign partnership agreement for new awards to celebrate the best in football annually.☑️ Memorandum of Understanding signed between FIFA and the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) at the World Sports Summit in Dubai
☑️ Annual event to be the only official… pic.twitter.com/4V6Jlfn5QT— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) December 29, 2025
Source: sport.ua