The Football Players’ Association of India (FPAI) successfully hosted the Indian Football Awards 2026 at The Galaxy, The Park Hotel, Kolkata, bringing together the country’s most celebrated footballers, coaches, club representatives, and industry leaders for an evening dedicated to recognising excellence in Indian football.
Founding president Bhaichung Bhutia along with former president Renedy Singh and current president Mehraj Uddin Wadoo with General Secretary Arindam Bhattacharya and Sunil Chhetri, were present. The Indian Football Awards, one of the country’s most respected football honours, celebrates exceptional performances across men’s and women’s football while acknowledging the invaluable contributions of coaches, educators, clubs, and organisations that continue to shape the future of the sport in India.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sunil Chhetri said, “It is always a deeply humbling and proud moment to stand among brothers and sisters who give their absolute everything on the pitch. The FPAI Awards hold a special place in our hearts because these honours are voted on directly by fellow players—the ones who truly understand the daily grind, sacrifice, and pressure. Congratulations to all the award winners tonight; you are setting the benchmark and inspiring millions of young girls and boys across India to dream big.”
Bhaichung Bhutia, further added, “FPAI was founded with the core vision of giving Indian footballers a unified voice and a platform that respects their dedication. Seeing how the stature of these awards and the quality of Indian football have grown over the years fills me with immense satisfaction. Tonight’s winners across both the men’s and women’s games show that the future of Indian football is in very capable hands.”
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 event served as a celebration of the collective efforts driving Indian football forward— from grassroots development and coach education to elite competition in the Indian Super League and the Indian Women’s League. With legends of the game sharing the stage with the country’s brightest talents, the evening reflected the unity, ambition, and growing stature of Indian football.
The ceremony concluded with a dinner, offering players, coaches, and members of the football fraternity an opportunity to celebrate the season’s achievements and reaffirm their shared vision for the continued growth of the beautiful game in India.
