The lists were compiled by various groups of FIFA experts and will now be sent to each of the world governing body's member associations. Once there, the coaches and captains of each country's men's and women's national side will vote for their top three candidates, not including players from their own nation.

Leading the way with most candidates are Germany 2006 winners Italy, with Cannavaro reappearing on the prestigious list alongside compatriots Gianluigi Buffon, Gennaro Gattuso, Alessandro Nesta and Andrea Pirlo. The latter three's cases are boosted by their excellent UEFA Champions League performances for competition winners AC Milan. Another member of the list who starred in that Rossoneri success was Kaka. The prodigiously gifted Brazilian has enjoyed a magnificent 2007 thus far, despite not taking part in the Copa America.

Curiously, none of the three Auriverde stars on the list were involved as Brazil collected another continental crown on Venezuelan soil, the inclusion of Ronaldinho and Juninho primarily down to strong performances at club level. Three stars who were involved at Venezuela 2007 were the short-listed Argentinian trio of Juan Roman Riquelme, Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez, who had to make do with runners-up spot in Maracaibo.

Cross-channel neighbours France and England also have four names each on the list of candidates. With last year's runner-up Zinedine Zidane hanging up his boots after Germany 2006, Frank Ribery, Thierry Henry (a podium-finisher in 2003 and 2004), Lilian Thuram and Patrick Vieira have been charged with upholding Gallic pride. Over in the English corner are Frank Lampard (a 2005 finalist), Steven Gerrard, John Terry and Wayne Rooney. Liverpool striker Fernando El Niño Torres is the only Spanish name on the shortlist.

Representing Africa are heavyweight trio Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Didier Drogba (Côte d'Ivoire) and Michael Essien (Ghana). In the CONCACAF region, who held their Gold Cup this year, their hopes lie on the shoulders of one man: Mexico's Rafael Marquez. The AFC and OFC, meanwhile, have no players on the shortlist on this occasion.

European club football monopolises this year's shortlist, with all 30 players plying their trade on the old continent. The Spanish and English leagues have contributed ten names apiece to the preliminary list, Italy have six, Germany three and France just one. FC Barcelona are the best-represented club outfit with seven, followed by Chelsea (5) and AC Milan (4).

China 2007 the benchmark

While the men's shortlist contains the usual 30 names, according to the established selection process, the women's list has been increased from 20 to 26 to take into account the recent FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007 and the valuable contributions of the Technical Study Group.

A dramatic finale to an action-packed competition ended with Germany taking the world title on 30 September 2007 in Shanghai. Inevitably, those women's players in the running for the coveted award have their displays on Chinese soil to thank for their inclusion.

Leading the way are the reigning world and European champions with five nominated players: Renate Lingor (third at last year's Gala), Birgit Prinz (FIFA Women's World Player from 2003-2005 inclusive), Nadine Angerer, Ariane Hingst and Kerstin Stegemann.

Not far behind are runners-up Brazil, with four players on the shortlist. Last year's winner Marta, who took the adidas Golden Ball and Golden Shoe at China 2007, is clearly among the favourites to hold on to her crown, while team-mates Cristiane, Daniela and Formiga are also worthy candidates.

Bronze-medal winners the USA, meanwhile, have just two representatives on the list: Kristine Lilly and Abby Wambach. Norway, who they beat in the match for third place, have an impressive four names on the list: Ragnhild Gulbrandsen, Bente Nordby, Ane Stangeland Horpestad and Ingvild Stensland.

In contrast with the men's list, all six member Confederations are represented on the women's shortlist.
The names of the three finalists in each category will be announced in early December.

Keyword:  soccer