As if we could be any more joyous about the world cup, FIFA has named the nominees for their Best Football Awards 2023, listing four Matildas players and their coach.
This is an outstanding performance for the Matildas, given that just on Australian player — Sam Kerr — was nominated in 2022.
The Australians nominated for Best FIFA Women’s Player include Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr. This will be Kerr’s seventh nomination for the award, and another change to clinch it after she was voted into second place in 2021.
However, it is the debut nomination for both Foord and Fowler, an amazing acknowledgement of the effort and sportsmanship shown out on the field at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Australian goal keeper Mackenzie Arnold is also up for her debut nomination for the Bets FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award, vying against 10 international keepers for the win. We’re sure her three penalty saves during the France-Australia semi-final went a long way in ensuring her spot on this illustrious list.
But, of course, it can’t just be the players up for accolades, the Matilda’s coach Tony Gustavsson made the 5-coach shortlist in the FIFA Best awards. It is also Gustavsson’s debut nomination for the award.
As a nation that was captivated by the Women’s World Cup, and converted more than a few agnostics to the religion of soccer, we cannot be more proud to see such a strong Australian presence in the FIFA Award nominations.
We know how well our team fought out their on the field to rise through the ranks for their country, and this feels like the ultimate acknowledgment of their dedication and passion.
Other key highlights on the nominations list include Ange Postecoglou, the Australian coach for the men’s Tottenham Hotspurs, and Jenni Hermoso, who had her World Cup experience darkened by a run in with Spain’s ex-soccer chief Luis Rubiales on stage.
The Full List Of Best FIFA Women’s Player Nominees
- Aitana Bonmatí (Spain)
- Linda Caicedo (Colombia)
- Rachel Daly (England)
- Kadidiatou Diani(France)
- Caitlin Foord (Australia)
- Mary Fowler(Australia)
- Alex Greenwood (England)
- Jennifer Hermoso (Spain)
- Lindsey Horan (USA)
- Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden)
- Lauren James (England)
- Sam Kerr (Australia)
- Mapi León (Spain)
- Hinata Miyazawa (Japan)
- Salma Paralluelo (Spain)
- Keira Walsh (England)
The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper Nominees
- Mackenzie Arnold(Australia)
- Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany)
- Catalina Coll (Spain)
- Mary Earps (England)
- Christiane Endler (Chile)
- Zećira Mušović (Sweden)
- Sandra Paños García-Villamil (Spain)
The Best FIFA Women’s Coach Nominees
- Peter Gerhardsson (Sweden)
- Jonatan Giráldez (Spain)
- Tony Gustavsson(Sweden)
- Emma Hayes (England)
- Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands)
