FIFA 2026 World Cup: AIPS lists five African players, 15 others for Outstanding Player award
As the FIFA World Cup enters the semi-final stage, the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) is pleased to announce the nominees of its new initiative – the AIPS Outstanding Player of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Award.
Voting has officially opened: Starting from today Monday, July 13, 2026 at 12pm (CET) until Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 9am (CET).
CLICK HERE TO VOTE or click on the banner at the top of this website (www.aipsmedia.com) to select the AIPS Outstanding Player of the ongoing World Cup.
HOW TO VOTE Eligible voters will include all AIPS cardholders, together with all participants in the AIPS World Cup Hotline, ensuring a broad and representative panel of journalists following the tournament from across the globe.
Below is a shortlist of players based on their performances throughout the competition. After reviewing the candidates, they will cast their vote to determine the footballer who, in their view, has made the greatest impact on the FIFA World Cup.
Participants are required to select their top three nominees in order of preference. The highest ranked player gets five points followed by 3 points for second and 1 point for third.
SUCCESS STORY This new initiative follows the established model of the annual AIPS Champion of the Year vote, one of the most representative global media polls in sport, with journalists from more than 100 countries taking part each year.
Every year, choosing the Champion of the Year has become a trademark of AIPS, with members voting for the best men and women who have made sport unique. The vast 161-country network that only AIPS can provide will now be tasked with recognising the competition’s outstanding performer.
Swedish pole vault ace Armand Duplantis and Spanish star Aitana Bonmatí were the 2025 winners. They both accepted the recognition in exclusive Zoom interviews with AIPS members worldwide.
With the same spirit of international participation and editorial independence, the AIPS Outstanding Player of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Award aims to reflect the collective judgement of the world’s sports media and offer a distinct journalistic perspective on the competition’s standout performer.
NOMINEES (in alphabetical order by surname)
Bellingham Jude – England
Bouaddi Ayyoub – Morocco
Dembélé Ousmane – France
Diallo Amad – Côte d’Ivoire
Embolo Breel – Switzerland
Gill Orlando – Paraguay
Haaland Erling – Norway
Hakimi Achraf – Morocco
Hernández Casacante Rodrigo – Spain
Kane Harry – England
Lukaku Romelu – Belgium
Mbappé Kylian – France
Messi Lionel – Argentina
Odegaard Martin – Norway
Olise Michael – France
Oyarzabal Mikel – Spain
Quiñones Julián – México
Salah Mohamed – Egypt
Vozinha (Évora Dias Josimar José) – Cabo Verde
Yamal Lamine – Spain
