Key Takeaways
- Abdul Rehman of Pakistan won the men’s Magic Skill Award at the FIH Hockey World Cup.
- Rehman’s goal against Wales received 44% of the total votes, outscoring Kenton Melville.
- India’s Bichu Devi Karibam claimed the women’s Magic Skill Award with a crucial save in the final minute.
Pakistan’s forward Abdul Rehman has been honored with the men’s Magic Skill Award at the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026, following his exceptional performance in the tournament.
Rehman was recognized for his outstanding skills, particularly in a match against Wales, where he dribbled past four defenders before scoring a spectacular goal. This move garnered 44% of the total votes in the men’s category.
The award, presented by FIH Global Supplier Polytan, aims to highlight extraordinary talent, creativity, and innovative skills displayed by hockey players on the world stage. The Poligras Magic Skill Award is part of the broader recognition of attacking flair and goalkeeping brilliance that characterized the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.
In the women’s category, India’s goalkeeper Bichu Devi Karibam secured the Magic Skill Award for a remarkable reflex save in the final minute of a match against England. Her intervention helped India qualify from the pool stage and finish fifth in the tournament, their best Women’s World Cup performance in 52 years, with 52% of the votes.
The six moments shortlisted for the award included three each from the men’s and women’s competitions, showcasing the exceptional skills and memorable moments that made the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup a highlight of modern hockey.
Pakistan’s performance at the World Cup was notable, as they finished 11th, their best finish in 20 years. The Green Shirts began their Pool D campaign with a 4-1 defeat to England on August 15, followed by a 3-3 draw against Wales two days later. Their final pool match against India on August 19 resulted in a 5-3 defeat, ending their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.
Despite the setback, Pakistan moved into the classification stage, defeating Japan 4-3 on August 22. Their progress was halted by New Zealand, who secured a 4-2 victory on August 24. In the 11th-place playoff, Pakistan faced South Africa, which ended 4-4 after regulation time. The match concluded with a 4-3 penalty shootout victory for Pakistan, securing 11th place and their best World Cup finish since 2006.
The Green Shirts had previously finished 12th in the 2010 and 2018 editions of the tournament, missing the 2014 and 2023 World Cups. This year’s 11th-place finish marked a significant improvement for the team.
