FIFA have announced the shortlists for three major awards at the 2015 Women’s World Cup: the Golden Ball for the best player, the Golden Glove for the best goalkeeper, and the Best Young Player award. The Golden Ball shortlist includes five players from the finalists, the United States and Japan, and both teams’ goalkeepers are nominated for the Golden Glove. Winners of the three awards will be announced immediately after the final.

For the US, defender Julie JOHNSTON and midfielders Carli LLOYD and Megan RAPINOE were nominated for the Golden Ball. One of the three earned player of the match honours in all five of the US’s wins, including Lloyd in each of their elimination phase matches. Johnston and goalkeeper Hope SOLO, nominated for the Golden Glove, have anchored an American defense that has conceded only one goal, and that in their opening match against Australia.

Japan defender Saori ARIYOSHI and midfielder Aya MIYAMA also made the Golden Ball shortlist. Miyama earned player of the match honours in all three of Japan’s Group C matches. Ariyoshi, along with Golden Glove nominee Ayumi KAIHORI, have been standouts in the Nadeshiko defense, with just three goals conceded in six matches.

Remaining players on the Golden Ball shortlist include current goalscoring leader Célia ŠAŠIĆ of Germany, defender Lucy BRONZE of England, and midfielder Amandine HENRY of France. Germany goalkeeper Nadine ANGERER was the other nominee for the Golden Glove.

The Best Young Player nominees are Canada defender Kadeisha BUCHANAN, Norway’s leading scorer Ada HEGERBERG, and China PR midfielder TANG Jiali. Players born on SAT 01 JUL 1995 or later are eligible for the award.

The Golden Boot looks as though it will be settled in the third place match, with Šašić on six goals and her teammate Anja MITTAG on five. Amongst other players still active in the tournament, Lloyd leads the way with three goals.

• Golden Ball:
  • Saori Ariyoshi, Japan
  • Lucy Bronze, England
  • Amandine Henry, France
  • Julie Johnston, United States
  • Carli Lloyd, United States
  • Aya Miyama, Japan
  • Megan Rapinoe, United States
  • Célia Šašić, Germany
• Golden Glove:
  • Nadine Angerer, Germany
  • Ayumi Kaihori, Japan
  • Hope Solo, United States
• Best Young Player:
  • Kadeisha Buchanan, Canada
  • Ada Hegerberg, Norway
  • Tang Jiali, China PR