France captain Zinedine Zidane, who will retire after the World Cup, is among 10 players competing for the Golden Ball award given to the tournament's best player.
The 34-year-old, nicknamed Zizou, has scored in two of France's last three matches to help the nation reach Sunday's final game.
Zidane is joined on the list by teammates Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, while Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Andrea Pirlo and Gianluca Zambrotta represent Italy.
Germany striker Miroslav Klose, the tournament's top scorer with five goals; the host nation's captain, Michael Ballack; and Portugal midfielder Maniche are the other nominees.
FIFA said on its Web site that the short list is compiled by its technical study group, made up of former players and coaches.
Representatives from the media will choose the winner.
Referee picked
Argentina's Horacio Elizondo was selected to referee Sunday's final between three-time champion Italy and 1998 winner France. Elizondo, 42, officiated Portugal's quarterfinal victory over England.
He scores!
The 2006 World Cup has seen 2.27 goals per match so far, just a shade above the record low of 2.21 from 1990. This year's average will dip below that if no goals are scored in tomorrow's Germany-Portugal third-place game and the France-Italy final Sunday.
The next generation
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina's Lionel Messi are among the six candidates to be named best young player at the World Cup.
Other finalists are Tranquillo Barnetta of Switzerland, Cesc Fabregas of Spain, Lukas Podolski of Germany, and Luis Valencia of Ecuador.
Messi, Ronaldo and Valencia made the short list by finishing in the top three in fan voting via www.FIFAworldcup.com, while Barnetta, Fabregas and Podolski were nominated by FIFA's technical study group.
No Nesta
Italy defender Alessandro Nesta will not play in the final against France because of a right thigh injury.
Nesta has missed Italy's last three matches after aggravating a long-term injury in the first round.
