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Who will be the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year and the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football for 2012?
FIFA and France Football have today announced the names of the players and coaches on the shortlists for these awards (see below). The final decisions will be made, as usual, by the captains and head coaches of the women’s national teams as well as by international media representatives selected by France Football.
The shortlists for the FIFA Ballon d’Or (best male player) and the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football awards will be revealed in four days’ time on 29 October 2012.
The winners of all of the awards will be revealed at the FIFA Ballon d’Or gala as part of a televised show at the Zurich Kongresshaus on 7 January 2013, during which the FIFA FIFPro World XI, the FIFA Puskás Award – for the most beautiful goal of the year – the FIFA Presidential Award and the FIFA Fair Play Award will also be presented.
The list of ten female candidates has been drawn up by experts from the Committee for Women’s Football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup as well as by experts from France Football. The list of ten coaches has been drawn up by football experts from the FIFA Football Committee, the Committee for Women’s Football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup as well as by a group of experts from France Football.
On 29 November 2012, FIFA and France Football will announce at a press conference in São Paulo (Brazil) the names of the three men and three women, as well as the three coaches for women’s football and three coaches for men’s football, who have received the most votes (without unveiling the winners). The three nominees for the FIFA Puskás Award and the FIFA FIFPro World XI shortlist for the best forwards will also be announced (the shortlists for best goalkeepers, defenders and midfielders will be unveiled on 19, 22 and 26 November, respectively).
The winners of all of the awards will be revealed at the FIFA Ballon d’Or gala as part of a televised show at the Zurich Kongresshaus on 7 January 2013, during which the FIFA FIFPro World XI, the FIFA Puskás Award – for the most beautiful goal of the year – the FIFA Presidential Award and the FIFA Fair Play Award will also be presented.
The list of ten female candidates has been drawn up by experts from the Committee for Women’s Football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup as well as by experts from France Football. The list of ten coaches has been drawn up by football experts from the FIFA Football Committee, the Committee for Women’s Football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup as well as by a group of experts from France Football.
On 29 November 2012, FIFA and France Football will announce at a press conference in São Paulo (Brazil) the names of the three men and three women, as well as the three coaches for women’s football and three coaches for men’s football, who have received the most votes (without unveiling the winners). The three nominees for the FIFA Puskás Award and the FIFA FIFPro World XI shortlist for the best forwards will also be announced (the shortlists for best goalkeepers, defenders and midfielders will be unveiled on 19, 22 and 26 November, respectively).
Women’s shortlists for the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala 2012 The following ten women (in alphabetical order) are in contention for the title of FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year 2012:
Camille Abily (France), Miho Fukumoto (Japan), Carli Lloyd (USA), Marta (Brazil), Aya Miyama (Japan), Alex Morgan (USA), Megan Rapinoe (USA), Homare Sawa (Japan), Christine Sinclair (Canada), Abby Wambach (USA).
The following ten coaches (in alphabetical order, first nationality and then team) are in contention for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football 2012:
Bruno Bini (France/France national team), John Herdman (England/Canada national team), Patrice Lair (France/Olympique Lyonnais), Maren Meinert (Germany/Germany U-20 national team), Silvia Neid (Germany/Germany national team), Hope Powell (England/England national team), Norio Sasaki (Japan/Japan national team), Pia Sundhage (Sweden/USA national team), Steve Swanson (USA/USA U-20 national team), Hiroshi Yoshida (Japan/Japan U-20/U-17 national teams).
Ballon d'Or 2012
A shortlist of ten candidates for the FIFA's Women's Player of the Year was compiled by experts from FIFA's Committee for Women's Football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup and a group of experts from France Football. It was revealed on 25 October.
You can read short profiles for each of the candidates below. Journalists, national coaches and captains will now vote for the winner of FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year from this list. A shortlist of three will be revealed on 29 November.
A list of 23 male candidates for the FIFA Ballon d’Or will be revealed on 29 October,
FRA
Camille ABILY
Deployed as a substitute for most of the Olympics, Camille Abily shone primarily at club level this year, with Lyon achieving a stunning triple of UEFA Women’s Champions League, French league and French Cup. The Lyon midfielder was voted the most outstanding player of the Champions League final against Frankfurt (2-0).
JPN
Miho FUKUMOTO
The Japan goalkeeper was a substitute in Germany 2011 after having been first choice at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2007™, but was reinstated to the team for the Olympic Games. She kept a clean sheet in the quarter-final against Brazil (2-0) and helped her side to defeat France 2-1 in the semi-final before she and her team succumbed to the USA in the final (2-1).
USA
Carli LLOYD
The Japanese were right to be mindful of the threat posed by Lloyd, who had scored the only goal of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament final against Brazil in 2008, in extra time. Four years later, she went one better, notching a brilliant brace as the USA beat the Nadeshiko 2-1 in the final. A player who rises to the big occasion, Carli Lloyd is a lynchpin of the American midfield.
BRA
MARTA
As in the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ the year before, Marta was unable to take Brazil beyond the quarter-finals. Although she had scored four goals in Germany 2011, the five-time FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year managed to find the back of the net just twice this time around, both goals coming in a 5-0 win over Cameroon. However, she has had more success with Swedish club Tyresö, whom she joined at the beginning of the year and with whom she is aiming to wrestle the league title from holders Malmö.
- JPN
Aya MIYAMA
France have surely not forgotten the two free kicks taken by Aya Miyama that led to Japan’s two goals in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. Highly accomplished in dead-ball situations, the Japan captain is the jewel in the crown of the world champions’ midfield.
- USA
Alex MORGAN
Now a first-choice striker alongside Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan has fulfilled the promise shown at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011™, where she was the USA’s secret weapon. Her 2012 Olympic highlights include two goals in the 4-2 group-stage match win over France and her decisive goal in the 123rd minute of the thrilling 4-3 semi-final victory over Canada. An under-20 world champion in 2008, Alex Morgan made five assists at the London Games and received the American Sportswoman of the Year Award.
- USA
Megan RAPINOE
Plagued by knee injuries in the early part of her career, Megan Rapinoe has certainly made up for lost time since. Although she only started two matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011™, setting up a vital goal for Wambach against Brazil in the process (2-2, 5-3 PSO), this winger was in the starting line-up for all her team’s matches at the Olympics. She took full advantage, scoring three goals and providing three assists
- JPN
Homare SAWA
2011 proved to be an exceptional year for Homare Sawa, who was voted FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year thanks to her outstanding performances at the FIFA Women’s World Cup™, where she scored five goals. Although she failed to find the back of the net at the Olympics, where her influence was more subtle, the Nadeshiko midfielder remains a key element of her team.
CAN
Christine SINCLAIR
Her semi-final performance in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament stunned the USA, although her incredible hat-trick was ultimately not enough to overcome the resilient Americans, who prevailed 4-3. Nevertheless, London 2012 was a highly positive event for the Canadian striker, who received a bronze medal and was top scorer with six goals. She formed a formidable duo in attack with Melissa Tancredi, who weighed in with four goals and two assists.
- USA
Abby WAMBACH
As is her wont, this powerful American striker was a perpetual thorn in the side of defences at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, from which she emerged with impressive statistics. Her five goals and fine understanding with Morgan and Rapinoe were crucial to the Americans’ triumph at the tournament.
Coach of the Year
A shortlist of ten candidates for the FIFA's Women's Coach of the Year was compiled by experts from FIFA's Committee for Women's Football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup and a group of experts from France Football. It was revealed on 25 October.
You can read short profiles for each of the candidates below. Journalists, national coaches and captains will now vote for the winner of FIFA Women’s Coach of the Year from this list. A shortlist of three will be revealed on 29 November.
A list of 23 male candidates for the FIFA's Coach of the Year will be revealed on 29 October,
- FRA
Bruno BINI
Semi-finalists at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011™, Les Bleues continued their excellent run of form at the Olympic Football Tournament by again finishing fourth, a few months after their success at the Cyprus Cup. The credit for this new consistency in reaching the semi-finals of major competitions must go to Bruno Bini, who has been coach of the French women’s national team since February 2007.
ENG
John HERDMAN
Coach of the New Zealand women’s national team from 2006 to 2011, John Herdman replaced the Italian Carolina Morace in charge of the Canadian team last year following the latter’s swift exit at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011™. In October 2011, he and his players triumphed at the Pan American Games before winning the Olympic bronze medal in London by defeating France 1-0.
- FRA
Patrice LAIR
National league champions and winners of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Lyon achieved the treble this year by adding the French Cup to their exceptional collection of silverware. In charge of the all-conquering Olympic Lyonnais team since June 2010, Patrice Lair is reaping the rewards of his hard work and is now looking forward to what could prove to be another outstanding year in 2013.
GER
Maren MEINERT
After their early exit from the UEFA Women’s U-19 Championship, of which they were the holders, the young German players coached by Maren Meinert recovered to reach the final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup against the USA. Although they had beaten the Americans 3-0 in the group stage, Germany suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in the final 12 days later.
- GER
Silvia NEID
After failing to qualify for the Olympic Games following their defeat to Japan in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011™, Germany had to be content with success in the Algarve Cup in 2012 by beating none other than Japan. This trophy was yet another for the outstanding collection already amassed by Silvia Neid, who has been coach of the national team since 2005.
- ENG
Hope POWELL
One year after steering England to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™, Hope Powell led the Great Britain team to the same stage of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, where a 2-0 defeat to Canada dashed British hopes of winning a medal. England coach since 1998, Powell will try to go at least one better at next year’s UEFA Women’s European Championship in Sweden.
- JPN
Norio SASAKI
Having led his team to success at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011™ against USA, Norio Sasaki’s Japan lost the rematch 2-1 in the Olympic final in London. However, four years after finishing fourth in Beijing, Japan have confirmed their emergence as a force to be reckoned with under the leadership of their coach, who has held the post since 2007.
SWE
Pia SUNDHAGE
In London, the former Sweden international guided the USA team to more Olympic success, four years after their gold medal in Beijing. Having also led the Americans to the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011™, Pia Sundhage is one of the leading coaches in the women’s game. She has now decided to give the Swedish national team the benefit of her experience as coach.
- USA
Steve SWANSON
Coach of the USA women’s U-20 team since August 2011, Steve Swanson won the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup this year, when his team beat Germany 1-0 in the final, giving the USA their third title in the competition after their successes in 2002 and 2008.
- JPN
Hiroshi YOSHIDA
The Japanese coach had a very busy 2012, starting with the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in his home country of Japan. His team managed to finish third in the competition by beating Nigeria 2-1 and he went on to lead the under-17s to the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, where they lost 1-0 to Ghana.
Messi launches FIFA/FIFPro World XI vote
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 2 October 2012
On Monday 1 October, Lionel Messi, winner of the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2011, launched the vote for this year’s FIFA/FIFPro World XI. The Barcelona forward filled in his ballot and encouraged all other professional footballers around the world to do the same: “I’ve chosen a FIFA/FIFPro World XI. Now it’s your turn,” the Argentinian said.
FIFPro, the organisation made up of players’ unions from across the globe, sent out approximately 45,000 voting slips worldwide, which have now been distributed to footballers in Asia, America, Africa and Europe thanks to the diligent support of the local unions. Following Messi’s example, players can now put together their own dream team, which must include one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.
“It’s a great prize, because it means you were chosen by your fellow professionals. Every player you select will be a winner,” Messi told FIFPro.
It has become tradition for the previous year’s winner of the FIFA Ballon d'Or to cast the first vote in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI. Messi was given the honour for the third consecutive year.
FIFPro, the organisation made up of players’ unions from across the globe, sent out approximately 45,000 voting slips worldwide, which have now been distributed to footballers in Asia, America, Africa and Europe thanks to the diligent support of the local unions. Following Messi’s example, players can now put together their own dream team, which must include one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.
“It’s a great prize, because it means you were chosen by your fellow professionals. Every player you select will be a winner,” Messi told FIFPro.
It has become tradition for the previous year’s winner of the FIFA Ballon d'Or to cast the first vote in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI. Messi was given the honour for the third consecutive year.
Michel Platini is the only other player ever to have won the Ballon d'Or three times in a row. Messi was therefore understandably proud of his ‘hat-trick’, as he told .in an exclusive interview.
“It’s a great honour to win this award three times, especially to get them one after the other. After all, it’s hard enough to win this accolade in the first place and even harder to be the best player in the world for three consecutive years. I’m very happy and enjoy it as much as I did the first time.”
As was the case last year, the World XI will be announced at the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala, which will take place on 7 January 2013 in Zurich. Messi is among the favourites to be included in the select eleven, in what will be the fourth time FIFA and FIFPro have jointly-organised the award.
At the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala in January 2011 in Zurich, Messi was chosen as the world’s best player and was among the FIFA/FIFPro World XI along with Iker Casillas (goalkeeper), Daniel Alves, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Nemanja Vidic (all defence), Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Xavi (all midfield), Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney (both attack)
At the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala in January 2011 in Zurich, Messi was chosen as the world’s best player and was among the FIFA/FIFPro World XI along with Iker Casillas (goalkeeper), Daniel Alves, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Nemanja Vidic (all defence), Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Xavi (all midfield), Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney (both attack)
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