Tue Dec 17 17:49:27 UTC 2024: ## FIFA Fans Get a Say in World 11 Awards for First Time

**Zurich, Switzerland** – For the first time ever, football fans will have a direct impact on the selection of the FIFA Men’s and Women’s World 11 teams. FIFA announced the nominees for its prestigious The Best FIFA Football Awards™ 2024, revealing a revamped voting system that grants fans equal weight alongside national team captains, coaches, and media representatives in several key categories.

This year’s voting process includes fan participation in selecting the Best FIFA Men’s Player, Best FIFA Women’s Player, and the coveted Best FIFA Men’s and Women’s XI awards. Fans will choose from a list of 77 nominees (including 22 defenders, 22 midfielders, 22 forwards, and 11 goalkeepers) and arrange them in a tactical formation of their choice. Their votes will carry the same weight as those of a panel of experts.

Other awards, such as the Best FIFA Men’s and Women’s Coach, and Goalkeeper awards also incorporate fan votes as part of the overall decision. The FIFA Fan Award will be decided solely by public vote, while the FIFA Fair Play Award remains in the hands of an expert panel.

Two new awards further enhance this year’s event: The FIFA Marta Award, honoring the best goal in women’s football, named after the legendary Brazilian player, and a revamped FIFA Puskas Award, open to the best goal in men’s football regardless of competition or nationality. Both awards will see decisions made with equal weighting given to fan and FIFA Legends’ votes.

The voting period closed on December 10th, 2023, at 23:59 CET. A star-studded list of nominees includes players like Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Aitana Bonmati, and many others. The winners will be announced at a later date.

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