FIFA Women's World Player of the Year

FIFA Women's World Player of the Year was an annual association football award presented by FIFA to the world's best women's football player. The award was active from 2001 until 2015, when it was merged with the men's Ballon d'Or to create The Best FIFA Women's Player award. It was considered the most prestigious individual honor in women's football, with winners selected through a vote by national team coaches and captains along with media representatives.

History

The award was established in 2001, mirroring the long-running FIFA World Player of the Year award for men, as part of FIFA's efforts to elevate the profile of the women's game globally. Its creation coincided with a period of significant growth for women's football, following the success of tournaments like the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup and the inclusion of women's football in the 1996 Summer Olympics. The inaugural winner was Mia Hamm of the United States, a global icon whose recognition helped legitimize the award. For its first decade, the ceremony was held alongside the men's award in venues such as Zürich's Kongresshaus. In 2010, the awards gala was rebranded as the FIFA Ballon d'Or ceremony, though the women's award retained its separate identity and voting process until its discontinuation in 2015.

Selection process

The selection process involved a comprehensive international vote. The final shortlist, typically comprising three nominees, was determined by committees within FIFA and the International Federation of Football History & Statistics. Voting was then conducted among four distinct groups: the coaches of all women's national teams, the captains of all women's national teams, one selected media representative from each country, and an international panel of media officials registered with FIFA. Each voter selected their top three players, with points awarded on a 5-3-1 basis. The player with the highest aggregate point total was declared the winner, with the results announced at the annual gala ceremony. This system aimed to balance perspectives from within the sport and the press, though it sometimes drew criticism for potential biases based on regional visibility and tournament performance cycles.

Winners and nominees

The award was dominated by a few legendary figures. Brazilian forward Marta won a record five consecutive times from 2006 to 2010, a streak unmatched in the award's history. German midfielder Birgit Prinz was another dominant force, winning three times (2003–2005) and finishing as runner-up on four other occasions. Other multiple winners include Abby Wambach (2012) and Nadine Angerer (2013). The final winner in 2015 was Carli Lloyd of the United States, following her iconic performance in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup final. Notable frequent nominees who never won include Homare Sawa of Japan, the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup winner, and Christine Sinclair of the Canada.

Records and statistics

Marta holds the record for most wins (5) and most consecutive wins (5). She also holds the record for most times finishing in the top three, with eight placements. German players have won the award the most times by nationality, with four victories (all by Birgit Prinz). The United States has produced the most different winners, with four: Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd, and the inaugural winner. The award has been won by players from only five nations: the United States, Germany, Brazil, England (Kelly Smith was a nominee), and Japan (Homare Sawa). Goalkeepers have won only once, with Nadine Angerer's victory in 2013 breaking the outfield player monopoly.

Reception and legacy

The award was generally well-received as a crucial platform for recognizing female footballing excellence, providing global visibility for stars like Marta and Birgit Prinz. However, it faced periodic criticism for a perceived bias towards players from Europe and North America, and for its voting timeline, which often heavily weighted performances in major tournaments like the FIFA Women's World Cup or the Summer Olympics. Its merger in 2016 to form The Best FIFA Women's Player award, under a revamped voting system, was intended to refresh the honor's prestige. The award's 15-year history remains a vital chronicle of the sport's growth, documenting the rise of its first global superstars and setting a benchmark for individual achievement that continues under its successor.

Category:FIFA awards Category:Women's association football awards Category:Discontinued awards