FIFA officially announced on Monday that it will co-found a new annual global award with the Dubai Sports Council (DSC). The inaugural awards ceremony is scheduled to be held in Dubai in 2026, aiming to recognize the most outstanding players, teams, and professionals in football over the past year.

The announcement also confirmed that the award will become FIFA's only officially recognized global football award of the year. The two parties signed a memorandum of understanding at the World Sports Summit in Dubai this Monday, formally establishing their partnership.

In an official announcement, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated: "We are delighted to partner with Dubai to create a world-class event in a football-filled city. This event is more than just an awards ceremony; it celebrates football in an innovative way and recognizes FIFA's officially recognized individuals or groups of the year."

Sheikh Mansour, President of the Dubai Sports Council, added: "The close collaboration between the Dubai Sports Council and FIFA has led to several initiatives recently announced by Gianni Infantino in Dubai, which have had a profound impact on the global football landscape."

“We are delighted to announce this new agreement, which not only reflects the ongoing partnership between the two parties but also highlights Dubai’s important role in the global football landscape. By launching groundbreaking initiatives, recognizing outstanding individuals, and hosting major events, Dubai will continue to play a key role in driving the development of global football and creating a brighter future for the world’s number one sport.”

"Dubai is committed to advancing the global sports system – especially football – and has all the necessary conditions to successfully fulfill this responsibility and ensure that the UAE has a significant impact on the global sports landscape."

More information regarding the award categories, nomination process, and event dates will be released later.