Paris Saint-Germain were named the Laureus World Team of the Year Award 2026 winners, with India’s Women’s cricket team missing out despite their landmark ODI World Cup triumph last year. The announcement came at a ceremony in Seville, where the French club’s all-conquering campaign ultimately proved decisive.
PSG’s six-trophy season drives Laureus success
PSG’s selection followed a season of sustained dominance across competitions, collecting six major honours under manager Luis Enrique. Their campaign was highlighted by a commanding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final, alongside a domestic clean sweep that included Ligue 1, Coupe de France and the Trophe des Champions. Additional continental silverware further strengthened their case, positioning the club among the standout teams in global sport over the past year.
India’s World Cup run builds strong case
India’s women entered the awards race on the back of a breakthrough ODI World Cup campaign that delivered their first title in the format. Their journey combined early momentum with mid-tournament setbacks before a decisive turnaround in the knockout stages.
In the final, India posted 298/7, led by Shafali Verma’s 87, with Deepti Sharma contributing 58 and Smriti Mandhana adding 45 at the top. Deepti then delivered a defining all-round performance with the ball, returning figures of 5/39 in 9.3 overs, while Shafali claimed 2/36 and Shree Charani picked up 1/48 to seal a 52-run victory over South Africa.
Record chase defines semi-final breakthrough
The semi-final against Australia proved a pivotal moment in the campaign. Chasing 338 against the defending champions, India produced the highest successful chase in women’s ODI history, finishing on 341/5 with nine balls to spare.
Jemimah Rodrigues anchored the innings with 127*, supported by Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s 89 (88), as India ended Australia’s 16-match unbeaten run in ODI World Cups and secured a place in the final.
Tournament journey highlights resilience
India’s route to the title reflected a mix of consistency and recovery. They played seven league matches, recording three wins, three losses and one no result to finish fourth and qualify for the knockouts. Despite that uneven start, the side’s performances in high-pressure games ultimately shaped a historic outcome.
Global recognition slips despite historic achievement
Although the World Cup win marked a defining moment for Indian women’s cricket, it was not enough to secure the Laureus honour against a PSG side that combined domestic and international dominance across an entire season. The result underlines the broader competitive landscape at the global awards level, where multi-title success across sports continues to carry significant weight.
