Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 nominations announced: Alcaraz, Pogacar, Dembélé, Bonmatí, Duplantis...

These are the top athletes and teams of 2025 according to the Laureus Awards.
Text: Javier Escribano
Published 2026-03-03

The Laureus World Sports Awards have announced the nominations for the 2026 edition, that will be handed on April 20 in Madrid. These are one of the most prestigious award ceremonies in the world of sports, with seven categories celebrating the best individual athletes, teams, breakthroughs and community programas with positive social impact.

Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 nominations

Laureus World Sportsman of the Year


Carlos Alcaraz (tennis) — ESP
Ousmane Dembélé (football) — FRA
Mondo Duplantis (pole vault) — SWE
Marc Márquez (MotoGP) — ESP
Tadej Pogacar (cycling) — SLO
Jannik Sinner (tennis) — ITA


Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year


Aitana Bonmatí (football) — ESP
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (athletics) — USA
Faith Kipyegon (athletics) — KEN
Katie Ledecky (swimming) — USA
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (athletics) — USA
Aryna Sabalenka (tennis) — BLR


Laureus World Team of the Year


England Women's Football Team — UK
European Ryder Cup Team — Europe
India Women's Cricket Team — IND
McLaren Formula 1 Team — UK
Oklahoma City Thunder — USA
Paris Saint-Germain — FRA


Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year


Désiré Doué (football) — FRA
João Fonseca (tennis) — BRA
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (basketball) — CAN
Luke Littler (darts) — UK
Lando Norris (motor racing) — UK
Zidi Yu (swimming) — CHN


Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year


Yago Dora (surfing) — BRA
Kilian Jornet (mountain sports) — ESP 🇪🇸
Chloe Kim (snowboarding) — USA
Rayssa Leal (skateboarding) — BRA
Molly Picklum (surfing) — AUS


Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability


Gabriel Araújo (swimming)
Simone Barlaam (swimming)
David Kratochvíl (swimming)
Catherine Debrunner (athletics)
Kiara Rodríguez (athletics)
Kelsey DiClaudio (para ice hockey)


Laureus Sport for Good Award


Fútbol Mas (youth sport charity)
MindLeaps (education through dance)
Transformación Social TRASO (martial arts + therapy)
A.S.D. Gruppo Sportivo Valanga (inclusive sport)
Rugby for Good (ADHD youth rugby)
Kings County Tennis League (tennis outreach)


The Laureus World Sports Awards will be handed in Madrid. Last year, Mondo Duplantis, Simone Biles and men's Real Madrid were chosen as winners in the athletes and team categories. Who do you think will win this year?

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