"VAN" (Sports Desk - 24.10.2026) :: The global hockey community celebrated the pinnacle of international hockey tonight at the 50th FIH Statutory Congress in Doha, Qatar, where the game’s finest athletes, visionary coaches, and top officials were presented with the 2026 FIH Hockey Stars Awards.
Taking place on the eve of the Congress, the awards honoured exceptional contributions across the 2025–26 international hockey season. Unsurprisingly, World Cup heroics proved decisive across multiple categories, with champions Argentina and Germany leading an illustrious roll of honour.
Here is the complete overview of the 2026 FIH Hockey Stars Award winners and their standout achievements:
FIH Player of the Year
Women’s Player of the Year: Sofía Cairó (ARG)
Las Leonas’ dynamic midfield engine was the driving force behind Argentina’s historic march to the 2026 FIH Women’s World Cup title in Amstelveen. Cairó dictated tempo against the world’s elite midfields throughout the tournament, providing both crucial transitions and ironclad defensive cover. Her calm authority in regular time and clutch leadership during the high-stakes final against the Netherlands cemented her reputation as the premier playmaker in women’s international hockey. Additionally, her decisive shoot-out goal, that put Argentina over the top in the World Cup final and led to the historic celebrations, will be an image burned into the minds of Las Leaonas fans forever.
Speaking at the award ceremony Cairó said: “Behind this award, well, there is obviously all the training, the entire process, and the consistency. I am someone who really enjoys it; I am very happy, and I always say how privileged I am to be where I am. Being part of Las Leonas is something I’ve always wanted, and being here today is truly a dream, so I enjoy it so much. I believe this isn't an award for just one person, because without a team behind you, this award wouldn't exist. So, clearly, this belongs to the whole team, to all the Leonas, and to the entire coaching staff. I am so grateful to be part of this team, and for everyone who has always supported me and continues to do so.”
Men’s Player of the Year: Tomás Domene (ARG)
Tomás Domene produced an unforgettable individual campaign at the FIH Hockey Pro League and the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, finishing as the tournament’s top goalscorer in both premier events with an astonishing 21 and 10 goals respectively. With lethal finishing from penalty corners and open play alike, the Argentine striker delivered decisive multi-goal masterclasses that consistently turned matches in Los Leones’ favor and confirmed his standing as the world's most devastating marksman. His heroics earned him the best player of the World Cup award as well, where his 10 goals helped the Leones win just their second ever medal (bronze) at the Men’s World Cup.
Speaking after receiving the award, Domene said: “Finding out that I had won the award was a truly special and emotional moment. It represents the culmination of years of hard work and unwavering dedication, and is a tremendous recognition of the commitment and effort I have put into what I do. Receiving this award is a real honour. I’m living my dream.”
FIH Goalkeeper of the Year
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Cristina Cosentino (ARG)
Cristina Cosentino etched her name into World Cup folklore with an immortal performance in the 2026 Women’s World Cup final. After frustrating the high-powered Dutch offense through 60 minutes of regulation play, Cosentino became the ultimate shootout hero, affecting three crucial stops to seal a 3–1 shootout triumph and secure Argentina’s third World Cup title. Her composure and shot-stopping under extreme pressure made her the undisputed top goalkeeper of 2026.
Receiving her award, Cosentino said: “I try to stay consistent all year long, and while I was aware of how I was performing, you're always surprised—so obviously, I'm thrilled. I have the full backing of the team and, even if it sounds a bit cliché, their trust means the world. Sometimes the confidence they project in you is even greater than what you have in yourself. They push you to believe in yourself and achieve great things.
Behind an award like this, there’s an incredible amount of time, dedication, and training. As goalkeepers, we go through so much specific physical and mental preparation. It’s the result of many years of hard work coming together right now, so I’m really happy to see it all paying off."
Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Luis Calzado (ESP)
Spain’s historic run to the 2026 Men’s World Cup final was anchored by the brilliance of Luis Calzado. The Spanish custodian delivered game-winning saves throughout the knockout rounds in Wavre and Amstelveen, conceding almost nothing from open play and keeping Spain within striking distance right through their tight 1–0 loss against Germany in the World Cup final—in the end earning a historic first silver medal for Spain at the Men’s Hockey World Cup.
Speaking upon receiving the award, Calzado said: “Receiving this award is an incredible honour. It reflects a much longer journey, from my years at Polo, which were fundamental in shaping me as both a player and a professional, to everything I have experienced this season at SV Kampong. Additionally, winning a World Cup silver medal with the national team means so much to me.
I am incredibly proud of everything this year has meant to me and how it has concluded. I am also grateful to have had so many people around me who have believed in me, challenged me, and helped me bring out the best in myself. I feel very fortunate.
This award is incredibly special, but being able to share it with those closest to me is what truly gives it meaning.
To finish the year in this way is absolutely amazing.”
FIH Rising Star of the Year
Women’s Rising Star of the Year: Zoë Díaz (ARG)
At just 20 years old, Zoë Díaz proved fearless on hockey’s biggest stage. Having become a Las Leonas mainstay during the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024-25 season, Díaz injected explosive pace, aggressive pressing, and creative flair in the final third during Argentina’s gold medal-winning World Cup campaign, playing key minutes in the knockout rounds and demonstrating maturity far beyond her years on the way to lifting the World Cup trophy. This is Diaz’s second time winning the FIH Rising Star Award after first having won it as an 18 year old in 2024!
After receiving the award Diaz said: “To be honest, it’s been an absolutely incredible year no matter how you look at it. What we experienced at the World Cup was truly unique, and it was a beautiful journey that we really enjoyed as a team. Receiving this personal award means the world to me, but I feel like it belongs to the team too, because they’re the ones who push me to be my best every single day; it's hard to wrap my head around everything happening so fast, but I try to take a step back, soak it all in, and use it as fuel to keep going for more.”
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