The stage is set, the nominees have been revealed, and the race for hockey’s most prestigious individual honours is officially on!
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is delighted to announce the outstanding athletes shortlisted for the FIH Player of the Year, FIH Goalkeeper of the Year and FIH Rising Star of the Year Awards 2026 – celebrating the players who have made the biggest impact, delivered unforgettable performances and inspired fans throughout an exceptional year of international hockey.
- FIH Player of the Year Award – Nominees
- Women: Sofia Cairo (ARG), Xan de Waard (NED), Charlotte Englebert (BEL)
- Men: Tom Boon (BEL), Tomas Domene (ARG), Justus Weigand (GER)
- FIH Goalkeeper of the Year Award – Nominees
- Women: Jocelyn Bartram (AUS), Cristina Cosentino (ARG), Anne Veenendaal (NED)
- Men: Luis Calzado (ESP), Jean-Paul Danneberg (GER), Vincent Vanasch (BEL)
- FIH Rising Star of the Year Award – Nominees
- Women: Claire Colwill (AUS), Zoe Diaz (ARG), Famke van Heel (BEL)
- Men: Jakob Brilla (GER), Malo Martinache (FRA), Justus Warweg (GER)
These 18 nominees represent the very best of international hockey – from established superstars who have consistently delivered at the highest level to the next generation of players who have announced themselves on the world stage.
The shortlist was selected by a global panel of hockey experts, comprising primarily current national team coaches, alongside former international players and experienced TV commentators.
To make their choices, the experts were given access to data from all international matches played in 2026, covering the FIH Hockey Pro League, FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers, FIH Hockey Nations Cups and, of course, the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 in Belgium and the Netherlands, which concluded only recently on 30 August.
And it is no surprise that FIH’s flagship event had a major influence on the final shortlist. Fifteen of the 18 nominees helped their teams reach the top-four finish at the FIH Hockey World Cup, underlining the extraordinary level of performance represented among this year’s nominees.
Now it’s time to have your say!
The voting process is now open*, giving hockey experts, international athletes (= the captains of each national women’s and men’s team), media, fans and fellow players the opportunity to recognise the stars who have made 2026 a year to remember. Deadline for voting: 30 September at 23:59.
Fans can vote for their favourite players HERE.
With some of the biggest names in world hockey going head-to-head, every vote counts. Who will be crowned the stars of 2026?
FIH Hockey Stars Awards 2026
The FIH Hockey Stars Awards celebrate excellence across the international hockey community, with honours presented in the following categories:
- FIH Player of the Year – Women and Men
- FIH Goalkeeper of the Year – Women and Men
- FIH Coach of the Year – Women and Men**
- FIH Umpire of the Year – Women and Men***
- FIH Rising Star of the Year – Women and Men
* Only one vote per Award is accepted.
** Not for public vote: The Hockey Experts, excluding current National Team Coaches, will decide the winners of the FIH Coach of the Year Awards.
*** Not for public vote: The FIH Umpiring Committee will decide the winners of the FIH Umpire of the Year Awards.
