The coveted IHF World Player of the Year award return in full fledge, with four categories ready to find out their winners, after a transparent process of voting by the fans, coaches and the IHF Commission of Coaching and Methods members.

2023 marked the introduction of the IHF Young Male Player of the Year and the IHF Young Female Player of the Year, which underline the penchant for identifying and nurturing new talents. 

This will be the third consecutive year when the current voting mechanisms are in place.

The fans have a say in the final standings of the IHF World Player of the Year awards, but the current formula sees an equal percentage of the final decision between three categories, for a better representation and a level-playing field for all the nominees. 

The fans will still have the power, as the votes casted will represent a third of the final standings. Another third will be reserved to the coaches who led their national teams at the 2025 IHF Men and Women’s World Championships. The IHF Commission of Coaching and Methods (CCM) will have the final third of the decision, with the awards being sealed by the player that has the best percentage throughout the three categories.

For all categories, three players have been shortlisted by the IHF Commission of Coaching and Methods (CCM), based on their performances in 2025, having impressed throughout the last year on the courts. The nominated players will be presented on a category-by-category basis.

For the 2025 IHF Young Male World Player of the Year, the nominees are Faroe Islands’ centre back Óli Mittún, Sweden’s Nikola Roganović and Portugal’s Francisco Costa.

The voting will be open for the fans from Sunday, 25 January 2026, from 12:00 CET, to Tuesday, 10 February 2026 at 23:59 CET, therefore more than two weeks for the fans to vote for their favourites and help them win the prestigious award. 

 

Óli Mittún (Faroe Islands)

Óli Mittún has emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in handball, dominating youth international competitions and carrying his Faroe Islands team to historic achievements. The 20-year-old centre back was the standout performer at the 2025 IHF Men's Junior World Championship in Poland, where the Faroe Islands sensationally finished third – their best-ever result.

Mittún was named MVP of the tournament, top scorer with 73 goals, and leader in assists with 54, powering his side through tough matches including a 15-goal haul in the opening win. He continued his scoring prowess throughout, having been the top scorer at the 2023 IHF Men's Youth World Championship (87 goals).

At club level, Mittún started 2025 in Sweden, at IK Sävehof, but then moved to GOG in Denmark, scoring 42 goals in the Machineseeker EHF Champions League. Two years after Elias Ellefsen a Skipagotu won this award, the Faroe Islands can be represented once again in the pinnacle of handball.

 

Francisco Costa (Portugal)

Francisco Costa confirmed his credentials as the next big thing in handball in 2025, proving himself as one of the world's top young right backs with explosive scoring and playmaking. At just 19 years old, he starred at the 2025 IHF Men's World Championship in Croatia/Denmark/Norway, where Portugal achieved their best-ever fourth place.

Costa was named the Best Young Player presented by LIDL (awarded for the best Under-21 player in the competition), included in the All-Star team, scoring 54 goals (tied for second overall, 69% conversion rate) with 22 assists - directly involved in 77 of Portugal's goals. His debut at the 2023 World Championship set the stage for this breakout and the right back provided more acumen and tactical brilliance, complementing his fantastic skills.

At club level with Sporting, Costa has shown consistent brilliance, blending power shots with great vision and finished the previous season of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League with 79 goals. In the current season, Costa has provided 70 goals, being the fourth best scorer of the season.

 

Nikola Roganović (Sweden)

Nikola Roganović has rapidly risen as a dominant Swedish centre back, blending physicality with elite playmaking in youth and senior ranks. He was named the All-Star centre back at the 2025 IHF Men's Youth (U19) World Championship, showcasing his skills, as Sweden ended on the fourth place.

In 2025, Roganović made his senior debut for the Sweden national team, transitioning seamlessly from youth stardom while starring for HK Malmö in Handbollsligan after a stint at Eskilstuna Guif. In the youth team, he was both the best scorer, with 51 goals, but also 44 assists, having a direct hand in 95 goals.

His debut in the senior team at only 18 years old provides Roganović as an opportunity to become the cornerstone for Sweden's future, as he will make the switch to Bundesliga, featuring for VfL Gummersbach from 2026 onwards.