England captain John Terry has been nominated for FIFA's World Player of the Year award along with international colleagues Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney.

FIFA's football committee selected a 23-man shortlist for the award, which was won last year by Cristiano Ronaldo, who is again a contender.

And although Lionel Messi is the firm favourite for the award, the inclusion of the England contingent is confirmation of the acknowledged strength in Fabio Capello's national team ahead of the World Cup in South Africa.

Of the quartet, Rooney may be the most likely to feature in the top three when national team coaches and captains post their votes.

England's run to the World Cup finals saw them lose only once in qualifying, against Ukraine when top spot in Group Six had been secured.

Portugal forward Ronaldo is nominated in a year which saw him make the switch from Manchester United to Real Madrid.

The winner will be announced at the annual FIFA gala in Zurich on December 21, with Messi strongly fancied to take the award for the first time, having been pipped by Ronaldo in 2008.

European champions Spain are the only national side with more nominees than England.

They provide six names on the list - goalkeeper Iker Casillas, defender Carles Puyol, midfielders Andres Iniesta and Xavi and strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa.

Brazil (three) and France (two) are the only other countries with more than one player nominated.

Brazilian Marta, who has won the women's award for the last three years, is once again included on a shortlist of 10 names which includes Kelly Smith, the Boston Breakers striker who helped England reach the European Championship final.

FIFA World Player 2009 shortlist:

Michael Ballack (Germany), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Diego (Brazil), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Michael Essien (Ghana), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Steven Gerrard (England), Thierry Henry (France), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Kaka (Brazil), Frank Lampard (England), Luis Fabiano (Brazil), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Carles Puyol (Spain), Franck Ribery (France), Wayne Rooney (England), John Terry (England), Fernando Torres (Spain), David Villa (Spain), Xavi (Spain).

FIFA Women's World Player 2009 shortlist:

Nadine Angerer (Germany), Sonia Bompastor (France), Cristiane (Brazil), Inka Grings (Germany), Mana Iwabuchi (Japan), Simone Laudehr (Germany), Marta (Brazil), Birgit Prinz (Germany), Kelly Smith (England), Abby Wambach (USA).