The eleven players initially shortlisted for the award were announced on 29 November 2021.[14] The three finalists were revealed on 4 January 2022.[15] All goals up for consideration were scored from 8 October 2020 to 7 August 2021. Every registered FIFA.com user was allowed to participate in the final vote until 17 December 2021, with the questionnaire being presented on the official website of FIFA. The selected goals were also voted on by a panel of ten "FIFA experts". Both groups' votes weighed equally on the ultimate winner of the award.[16]
Erik Lamela won the award with 22 rank points.[3][5]
The award celebrates the best fan moments or gestures of October 2020 to August 2021, regardless of championship, gender or nationality. The shortlist was compiled by a panel of FIFA experts, and every registered FIFA.com user was allowed to participate in the final vote until 14 January 2022.[17]
The three nominees were announced on 22 November 2021. Denmark and Finland fans won the award with over 100,000 registered votes.[3][5]
FIFA Fair Play Award
The Best FIFA Special Award
An additional award was given out to Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Canada's Christine Sinclair, to recognize them becoming the all-time leading international goalscorers in men and women's senior football, respectively.[3]
FIFA FIFPRO Men's World 11
The 23–player men's shortlist was announced on 14 December 2021.[18]
^ a b c d e f"Nominees for The Best FIFA Football Awards™ 2021 revealed". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
^ a b"Final three nominees for The Best FIFA Women's Player and The Best FIFA Men's Player announced". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 7 January 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
^ a b c d e f g h i j"Alexia Putellas and Robert Lewandowski crowned The Best". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
^ a b c d e f"The FIFA Football Awards Voting Results 2021" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
^ a b c d e f g h"The FIFA Football Awards Result Breakdown 2021" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
^"Voting Breakdown: The Best FIFA Men's Player 2021" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
^ a b"Finalists for The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper and The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper announced". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 5 January 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
^"Voting Breakdown: The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper 2021" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
^ a b"Finalists for The Best FIFA Women's Coach and The Best FIFA Men's Coach announced". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 6 January 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
^"Voting Breakdown: The Best FIFA Men's Coach 2021" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
^"Voting Breakdown: The Best FIFA Women's Player 2021" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
^"Voting Breakdown: The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper 2021" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
^"Voting Breakdown: The Best FIFA Women's Coach 2021" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
^"FIFA Puskás Award: 11 best goals announced". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
^"Finalists for FIFA Puskás Award announced". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 4 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
^"FIFA Puskás Award rules of allocation" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
^"FIFA Fan Award rules of allocation" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
^"The 23 most voted players for the 2021 FIFA FIFPRO Men's World 11". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
^"2020-2021 Men's FIFA FIFPRO World 11 revealed". FIFPro World Players' Union. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
^"The 23 most voted players for the 2021 FIFA FIFPRO Women's World 11". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
^"2020-2021 Women's FIFA FIFPRO World 11 revealed". FIFPro World Players' Union. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
^"The Best FIFA Football Awards: Men's Award Categories" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
^"The Best FIFA Football Awards: Women's Award Categories" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.