2026 promises to be the sports fan’s finger-licking good treat. And no, this is no reference to the Big Bash League. On a serious note, if you thought 2025 was replete with all-round action, then 2026 will take it to a crescendo. Imagine this — three cricket World Cups, one Commonwealth Games, one Asian Games, a FIFA World Cup and a plethora of tournaments across various disciplines of Olympic sport all in the space of twelve months.
January will see the under-19 50-over World Cup kick off in Zimbabwe and Namibia and I can’t wait to see Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre perform. Someone I will personally root for is Aaron George after that knock of 85 against Pakistan in the group stage match of the Asia Cup. A day after this tournament ends, the men’s seniors start their quest for the honours in the T20 World Cup to be played in India and Sri Lanka. And later in the year, we have the women’s team and current reigning champions in the 50-over format go for glory in the T20 World Cup.
And just before we call it stumps, I am going to be looking forward to how we tackle Test cricket, especially after that whitewash against South Africa. A lot rests on the young shoulders of Shubman Gill, and between him and Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, they have their work cut out.
A fit and raring to go P V Sindhu will make a comeback in the All-England Championships early in the year. Satwik-Chirag and Tanvi Sharma are the other exciting prospects to follow. In doubles, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand are approaching a defining year. Talent has never been in doubt; consistency will determine whether they stay contenders or become mainstays.
Both D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa will keep our chess flag flying in 2026. The Candidates tournament kicks off in Cyprus early in the year. Praggnanandhaa is the sole Indian in the competition, the winner of which will challenge Gukesh in World Championship duel.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 promises to be a tournament of transition and scale. The expanded 48-team format will test depth and squad management like never before, while the joint hosting across the USA, Canada, and Mexico will bring contrasting conditions, travel demands, and atmospheres into play. Tactically, expect greater emphasis on game control and recovery as teams navigate longer tournaments, even as a new generation led by players such as Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham steps fully into the spotlight, potentially alongside a final global bow from icons like Lionel Messi.
Animesh Kujur made it big in 2025. In 2026, Kujur won’t be just looking to compete, but rather would want to ensure that he is a genuine medal prospect at the continental level.
India’s prospects in javelin throw in 2026 look increasingly robust, built on the enduring excellence of Neeraj Chopra and the emergence of credible depth behind him, most notably Sachin Yadav.
Men’s boxing is quietly rebuilding its international credibility around Hitesh Gulia. Still only 20, Gulia’s 2025 season had the look of an athlete who understands tournament boxing: patient, composed, and repeatable under pressure. Long jumper Shaili Singh has turned adversity into momentum. After injuries and the disappointment of missing Paris 2024, she represents a generation that is no longer content with junior rankings but is targeting global relevance.
In women’s boxing, excellence has come with authority through Jaismine Lamboria. Her 2025 campaign has positioned her as a pillar of the programme rather than a prospect.
Indian athletics’ most arresting image of the year, however, may belong to 17-year-old Shahnawaz Khan, whose 8.04m jump made him the youngest Indian to cross the eight-metre mark. Indian hockey’s midfield future is being sketched by Manmeet Singh and Rosan Kujur, a pairing that offers balance, and with Princedeep Singh, things look good.
Shooting, as ever, continues to be India’s most reliable pipeline. Suruchi Phogat’s seamless transition to the senior circuit and Samrat Rana’s historic world title underline a depth that will be invaluable once Olympic qualification pressure mounts.
Ultimately, 2026 feels like a year where transition meets opportunity. Across global sports, one can see the hearlding of new talent across disciplines and this is what will make 2026 a truly exciting year!
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