FIFA has released the shortlist of the best players and coaches in women’s football this year. The winners, which will be decided by the captains and head coaches of the national teams and international representatives chosen by FIFA, will be announced in January 2015 in a joint ceremony which will also see awards presented in the male game, including men’s Ballon d’Or, the Fair Play Award and the Puskás Award for most beautiful goal.
The 10 nominees, compiled by experts from FIFA’s Committee for Women’s Football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup, include players from many different countries and those who play in a variety of leagues around the world. On 1st December, the shortlist will be cut down leaving the three finalists in each category.
All three of last years finalists, German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, Brazilian forward Marta and American record goal scorer Abby Wambach, have made it onto the list this year. They are joined by Lyon duo Louisa Necib and Lotta Schelin, Spanish captain Vero Boquete and Sweden and Wolfsburg centre back Nilla Fischer. The final two nominees are Japanese 2011 World Cup Winners, forward Nahomi Kawasumi and captain Aya Miyama.
In the coaches award, Laura Harvery makes her first appearance in the shortlist after a remarkable turn-around with Seattle Reign. She joins last years 2nd and 3rd place managers, Wolfsburg coach Ralf Kellerman and Swedish manager Pia Sundhage. New France coach Philippe Bergeroo makes the list along with fellow international managers, Japan coach, Norio Sasaki and Martina Voss-Tecklenburg who leads the improving Swiss national team. Youth coaches Peter Dedevbo and Maren Meinert are nominated after successful campaigns in the U-20 Women's World Cup with Nigeria and Germany respectively. Japenese Under 17 team coach, Asako Takemoto Takakura and Jorge Vilda who is in charge of the Spanish U-17 and U-19 national teams, complete the list.
As with every year, there are players who have performed well and been successful who have not made the list. Notable emissions this year include Kim Little, Christen Press and Anja Mittag. Scottish international, Little, was voted NWSL Most Valuable Player in her first season in the US after scoring 16 goals in 23 games. Press ended a successful period playing in Sweden for 2014 Champions League finalists Tyresö to return to America and play for the Chicago Red Stars, where she scored a team leading 6 goals despite joining half way through the NWSL season. Mittag, who has been playing for FC Rosengård since 2012, has had a great season for the new Swedish Champions and helped the German national team to the Algarve Cup title.
Shortlist for FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year 2014:
Nadine Angerer – Goalkeeper. Portland Thorns (NWSL)/Brisbane Roar (W-League) and Germany (Captain)
Veronica Boquete – Midfielder. Tyresö FF (Damallsvenskan)/Portland Thorns (NWSL)/FFC Frankfurt (Frauen-Bundesliga) and Spain (Captain)
Nilla Fischer – Defernder. VfL Wolfsburg (Frauen-Bundesliga) and Sweden
Nahomi Kawasumi – Forward. INAC Kobe (Nadeshiko League Div.1)/Seattle Reign (NWSL) and Japan
Nadine Kessler – Midfielder. VfL Wolfsburg (Frauen-Bundesliga) and Germany
Marta – Forward. Tyresö FF (Damallsvenskan)/FC Rosengård (Damallsvenskan) and Brazil
Aya Miyama – Midfielder. Okayama Yunogo Belle (Nadeshiko League Div.1) and Japan (Captain)
Louisa Necib – Midfielder. Olympique Lyonnais (D1 Féminine) and France
Lotta Schelin – Forward. Olympique Lyonnais (D1 Féminine) and Sweden
Abby Wambach – Forward. Western New York Flash (NWSL) and USA
Nadine Angerer – Goalkeeper. Portland Thorns (NWSL)/Brisbane Roar (W-League) and Germany (Captain)
Veronica Boquete – Midfielder. Tyresö FF (Damallsvenskan)/Portland Thorns (NWSL)/FFC Frankfurt (Frauen-Bundesliga) and Spain (Captain)
Nilla Fischer – Defernder. VfL Wolfsburg (Frauen-Bundesliga) and Sweden
Nahomi Kawasumi – Forward. INAC Kobe (Nadeshiko League Div.1)/Seattle Reign (NWSL) and Japan
Nadine Kessler – Midfielder. VfL Wolfsburg (Frauen-Bundesliga) and Germany
Marta – Forward. Tyresö FF (Damallsvenskan)/FC Rosengård (Damallsvenskan) and Brazil
Aya Miyama – Midfielder. Okayama Yunogo Belle (Nadeshiko League Div.1) and Japan (Captain)
Louisa Necib – Midfielder. Olympique Lyonnais (D1 Féminine) and France
Lotta Schelin – Forward. Olympique Lyonnais (D1 Féminine) and Sweden
Abby Wambach – Forward. Western New York Flash (NWSL) and USA
Shortlist for FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football 2014:
Philippe Bergeroo – France National Team
Peter Dedevbo – Nigeria U-20 National Team
Laura Harvey – Seattle Reign FC
Ralf Kellermann – VfL Wolfsburg
Maren Meinert – Germany U-20 National Team
Norio Sasaki – Japan National Team
Pia Sundhage – Sweden National Team
Asako Takemoto Takakura – Japan U-17 National Team
Jorge Vilda – Spain U-17 National Team & U-19 National Team
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg – Switzerland National Team
Philippe Bergeroo – France National Team
Peter Dedevbo – Nigeria U-20 National Team
Laura Harvey – Seattle Reign FC
Ralf Kellermann – VfL Wolfsburg
Maren Meinert – Germany U-20 National Team
Norio Sasaki – Japan National Team
Pia Sundhage – Sweden National Team
Asako Takemoto Takakura – Japan U-17 National Team
Jorge Vilda – Spain U-17 National Team & U-19 National Team
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg – Switzerland National Team