Overview
- Laureus unveiled the 2026 nominees with a noticeably larger football presence than last year across top individual, team and breakthrough categories.
- England’s Lionesses and Paris Saint‑Germain are shortlisted for Team of the Year alongside the European Ryder Cup team, India’s women’s cricket team, the Oklahoma City Thunder and McLaren.
- Leah Williamson is nominated for Comeback of the Year after returning from an ACL injury to captain England to the 2025 European Championship title.
- Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele is in the Sportsman of the Year field, while Aitana Bonmati seeks a second Sportswoman crown against contenders from athletics, tennis and swimming.
- The Breakthrough of the Year list features F1 champion Lando Norris, darts prodigy Luke Littler, PSG’s Desire Doue, tennis prospect Joao Fonseca, NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander and swimmer Yu Zidi.