Paris Saint-Germain's shirtless Desire Doue celebrates with Joao Neves and Marquinhos (right) after scoring PSG's third goal during the Uefa Champions League final against Inter Milan in Munich in May last year. PSG are nominated for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award.
Image: Ina Fassbender/AFP
Football superstars, tennis sensations and global sporting icons headline the nominees for the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards after the shortlist was unveiled in Madrid on Friday.
Widely regarded as the most prestigious honours in global sport, the Laureus Awards celebrate the standout achievements of the past year, with winners chosen by the Laureus World Sports Academy and announced at a gala ceremony at the Cibeles Palace in the Spanish capital.
One of the most remarkable stories comes from the India Women’s Cricket Team, who stunned the cricket world by chasing a record 339 runs against Australia in the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup semi-final, before winning their first title against South Africa. Their historic success on home soil has earned them the distinction of being the first women’s cricket team nominated for the Laureus World Team of the Year award.
Among the biggest individual names is Spanish football icon Aitana Bonmatí, nominated again for the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award. The Barcelona midfielder became the first woman to win the Ballon d’Or three times, cementing her reputation as one of the most influential players in women’s football.
Joining her are French winger Ousmane Dembélé and PSG teammate Désiré Doué, both recognised for their key roles in Paris Saint-Germain’s historic Champions League triumph. PSG defeated Inter Milan 5–0 to claim their first European crown, completing a trophy-laden season that included six titles overall, a domestic treble, the Uefa Super Cup, and the Fifa Intercontinental Cup.
They are among the favourites for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award.
Carlos Alcaraz made history by becoming the youngest player to win the career Grand Slam when he beat Novak Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open.
Image: David Gray/AFP
Men’s tennis provides one of the most compelling storylines on this year’s shortlist. Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz continues to build a reputation as the sport’s next great superstar after capturing multiple Grand Slam titles at just 22.
On the opposite side of the net is Italian rival Jannik Sinner, whose meteoric rise has helped define one of the most exciting rivalries in modern tennis.
Women’s tennis is represented by world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who claimed the US Open title and reached three Grand Slam finals.
Beyond tennis, several athletes have dominated the global stage across multiple sports. American sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden secured a rare sprint “Triple Crown” at the World Athletics Championships by winning the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, while compatriot Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone claimed gold in the 400m and 4x400m relay.
Pole-vaulting legend Mondo Duplantis – last year’s Laureus World Sportsman of the Year – rose to new heights with an undefeated 2025, setting four world records across the season and is once again in contention for the top honour.
Kenyan middle-distance legend Faith Kipyegon claimed a record fourth world title in the 1500m, while swimming great Katie Ledecky extended her World Aquatics Championships medal tally to an unprecedented 30.
Formula One champion Lando Norris is among the most eye-catching nominees in the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year category, after edging Max Verstappen to secure his maiden drivers’ championship in a dramatic finale.
Other teams recognised, apart from PSG, include NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder, the dominant McLaren Formula One team, which wrapped up the constructors’ championship with six races to spare, and the European Ryder Cup Team, which ended a 13-year away drought with its 16th title following Shane Lowry’s decisive half-point on the final day in New York.
The comeback category features golf’s Rory McIlroy, who ended an 11-year wait for a Major title by winning the Masters in a dramatic playoff over Justin Rose. Colombian cyclist Egan Bernal is also recognised after recovering from a life-threatening training crash to claim a stage victory at the Vuelta a España.
The winners will be announced later this year in Madrid, when the world’s top athletes gather to celebrate another unforgettable year of global sporting excellence.