Kolkata, 29 August 2026: The Football Players’ Association of India (FPAI) successfully hosted the Indian Football Awards 2026 at The Galaxy, The Park Hotel, Kolkata, bringing together India’s leading footballers, coaches, club representatives and football administrators for an evening celebrating excellence and achievement in the sport.
The prestigious ceremony was attended by FPAI Founding President Bhaichung Bhutia, former President Renedy Singh, current President Mehraj Uddin Wadoo, General Secretary Arindam Bhattacharya and Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri, among several prominent personalities from the football fraternity.
The Indian Football Awards, regarded as one of India’s leading football honours, recognise outstanding performances across men’s and women’s football, while also celebrating the contributions of coaches, educators, clubs and organisations working to strengthen the future of Indian football.
Sunil Chhetri: “These Awards Hold a Special Place in Our Hearts”
Speaking at the ceremony, Sunil Chhetri said the awards are particularly meaningful because they are decided through the votes of fellow players who understand the dedication, pressure and sacrifices involved in professional football.
He congratulated all the winners and said their achievements are setting new benchmarks while inspiring millions of young boys and girls across India to pursue their footballing dreams.
Bhaichung Bhutia Hails the Growth of Indian Football
FPAI Founding President Bhaichung Bhutia highlighted the organisation’s founding vision of giving Indian footballers a unified voice and a platform that recognises their commitment to the game.
He expressed satisfaction at the growing stature of the awards and the overall development of Indian football, noting that the achievements of the latest winners in both men’s and women’s football demonstrate the strength and potential of the sport’s future in India.
Indian Football Awards 2026 — Winners
- Young Player of the Year: Sanan Mohammed K
- Foreign Player of the Year: Miguel Figueira Damasceno
- Indian Player of the Year: Lallianzuala Chhangte
- I-League Player of the Year: Phrangki Buam
- Indian Women’s Player of the Year: Manisha Kalyan
- Women’s Young Player of the Year: Sanfida Nongrum
- Coach of the Year: Owen Coyle
- Women’s Coach of the Year: Anthony Andrews
- Coach Education Award: Savio Medeira
- Player Performance & Development Award: Rapid Sports & The Right Weigh
- ISL Champions 2025–26 (Men’s Senior Team): East Bengal FC
- IWL Champions 2025–26: East Bengal FC Women
The evening also celebrated the collective efforts driving Indian football forward—from grassroots development and coach education to elite-level competition in the Indian Super League (ISL) and Indian Women’s League (IWL).
With football legends sharing the stage alongside the country’s emerging stars, the Indian Football Awards 2026 reflected the unity, ambition and growing stature of Indian football.
The ceremony concluded with a dinner, providing players, coaches, club representatives and members of the football fraternity an opportunity to celebrate the season’s achievements and reaffirm their shared commitment to taking Indian football to greater heights.
