Watch VideoAlcaraz, Sinner, Bonmatí and Duplantis headline Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 nominees

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. Footballsuperstars,tennissensationsandglobalsportingiconsheadlinethenomineesforthe2026LaureusWorldSportsAwardsaftertheshortlistwasunveiledinMadridonFriday.

Widelyregardedasthemostprestigioushonoursinglobalsport,theLaureusAwardscelebratethestandoutachievementsofthepastyear,withwinnerschosenbytheLaureusWorldSportsAcademyandannouncedatagalaceremonyattheCibelesPalaceintheSpanishcapital. OneofthemostremarkablestoriescomesfromtheIndiaWomen’sCricketTeam,whostunnedthecricketworldbychasingarecord339runsagainstAustraliainthe2025ICCWomen’sWorldCupsemi-final,beforewinningtheirfirsttitleagainstSouthAfrica.Theirhistoricsuccessonhomesoilhasearnedthemthedistinctionofbeingthefirstwomen’scricketteamnominatedfortheLaureusWorldTeamoftheYearaward. AmongthebiggestindividualnamesisSpanishfootballiconAitanaBonmatí,nominatedagainfortheLaureusWorldSportswomanoftheYearaward.TheBarcelonamidfielderbecamethefirstwomantowintheBallond’Orthreetimes,cementingherreputationasoneofthemostinfluentialplayersinwomen’sfootball.

JoiningherareFrenchwingerOusmaneDembéléandPSGteammateDésiréDoué,bothrecognisedfortheirkeyrolesinParisSaint-Germain’shistoricChampionsLeaguetriumph.PSGdefeatedInterMilan5–0toclaimtheirfirstEuropeancrown,completingatrophy-ladenseasonthatincludedsixtitlesoverall,adomestictreble,theUefaSuperCup,andtheFifaIntercontinentalCup. TheyareamongthefavouritesfortheLaureusWorldTeamoftheYear 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.

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Men’stennisprovidesoneofthemostcompellingstorylinesonthisyear’sshortlist.SpanishsensationCarlosAlcarazcontinuestobuildareputationasthesport’snextgreatsuperstaraftercapturingmultipleGrandSlamtitlesatjust22. OntheoppositesideofthenetisItalianrivalJannikSinner,whosemeteoricrisehashelpeddefineoneofthemostexcitingrivalriesinmoderntennis. Women’stennisisrepresentedbyworldNo1ArynaSabalenka,whoclaimedtheUSOpentitleandreachedthreeGrandSlamfinals. Beyondtennis,severalathleteshavedominatedtheglobalstageacrossmultiplesports.AmericansprinterMelissaJefferson-Woodensecuredararesprint “TripleCrown”attheWorldAthleticsChampionshipsbywinningthe100m,200m,and4x100mrelay,whilecompatriotSydneyMcLaughlin-Levroneclaimedgoldinthe400mand4x400mrelay.

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