Previous winners Marta, Abby Wambach and Nadine Angerer head a 10-strong shortlist for the 2014 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award.
The trio, who have won the award in seven of the last eight years between them, will vie for the accolade with players including Veronica Bouquete, Swedish duo Nilla Fischer and Lotta Schelin, and Japanese pair Aya Miyama and Nahomi Kawasumi.
Wambach: 2012 player also on shortlist
Despite finishing top goalscorer and being named MVP in the National Women’s Soccer League, Seattle Reign striker and Scotland international Kim Little is a surprise omission from the shortlisted players.
But her manager at Seattle, Englishwoman Laura Harvey, has been nominated for the World Coach of the Year award after guiding her side to top spot in the NWSL during the regular season.
Former Arsenal boss Harvey will compete for the award with the likes of Wolfsburg’s UEFA Women’s Champions League-winning boss Ralf Kellermann and Sweden coach Pia Sundhage.
The shortlists for the men’s awards will be revealed on Tuesday October 28. The awards themselves take place on 12 January 2015 where accolades including the FIFA FIFPro World XI, the FIFA Presidential Award and the FIFA Fair Play Award will also be presented.
Angerer: Germany star won 2013 award
FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year 2014, nominations in full:
Nadine Angerer (Germany), Veronica Boquete (Spain), Nilla Fischer (Sweden), Nahomi Kawasumi (Japan), Nadine Kessler (Germany), Marta (Brazil), Aya Miyama (Japan), Louisa Necib (France), Lotta Schelin (Sweden), Abby Wambach (USA).
FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football 2014, nominations in full:
Philippe Bergeroo (France/France national team), Peter Dedevbo (Nigeria/Nigeria U-20 national team), Laura Harvey (England/Seattle Reign FC), Ralf Kellermann (Germany/VfL Wolfsburg), Maren Meinert (Germany/Germany U-20 national team), Norio Sasaki (Japan/Japan national team), Pia Sundhage (Sweden/Sweden national team), Asako Takemoto Takakura (Japan/Japan U-17 national team), Jorge Vilda (Spain/Spain U-17 national team and U-19 national team), Martina Voss-Tecklenburg (Germany/Switzerland national team).
