Beckham, Figo, Raul, shortlisted for World Player Award

Manchester United's David Beckham and Real Madrid's Luis Figo and Raul have been shortlisted for FIFA's 2001 World Player of the Year award, soccer's world governing body said on Thursday.

The trio played crucial roles in their countries' World Cup qualifying campaigns for the 2002 finals in South Korea and Japan. The nominations were decided on a vote by 130 national team coaches.

Portuguese international Figo was runner-up to France's Zinedine Zidane in last year's poll. The winner will be announced at FIFA's annual gala in Zurich on December 17.

All three players featured on the 50-strong European Footballer of the Year nominations revealed on Tuesday.

FIFA have also announced the candidates for the first World Female of Player of the Year.

U.S. players Mia Hamm and Tiffany Milbrett are joined on the list of three by China's Sun Wen.

Previous winners of World Player of the Year:

Lothar Matthaus (Germany, 1991)

Marco van Basten (Netherlands,1992)

Roberto Baggio (Italy, 1993)

Romario (Brazil, 1994)

George Weah (Liberia, 1995)

Ronaldo (Brazil, 1996 and 1997)

Zinedine Zidane (France, 1998 and 2000)

Rivaldo (Brazil, 1999)