AMSTELVEEN, Netherlands: Pakistan forward Abdul Rehman has been crowned the men’s Magic Skill Award winner at the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026, after his spectacular individual effort against Wales emerged as the tournament’s favourite display of skill and creativity.
Rehman won 44% of the fan vote for his breathtaking goal, in which he weaved past four Welsh defenders with a series of superb 3D skills before calmly finding the back of the net.
Skill, strategy, and pure passion! Grateful to win the FIH Poligras Magic Skill Award. Thank you Pakistan for all the love and support — this one is for the nation! 🇵🇰🏆”
Abdul Rehman ⭐ #AbdulRehman #FIHAwards #FieldHockey #PakistanPride #GreenMachine pic.twitter.com/eAn1R5HWX3— Pakistan Hockey Federation (@PakHockeyFed) September 18, 2026
The Pakistani forward narrowly beat Kenton Melville, whose audacious goal received 39% of the votes, in a closely contested men’s category.
Fans from around the world voted from September 4 to 13 to select the most outstanding displays of individual skill from the World Cup. Six moments were shortlisted for the award, with three nominated from the men’s tournament and three from the women’s competition.
Poligras magic skill award celebrates hockey’s creativity
Presented by FIH Global Supplier Polytan, the Poligras Magic Skill Award recognises exceptional talent, innovation and creativity displayed by hockey players on the international stage.
In the women’s category, India goalkeeper Bichu Devi Karibam claimed the award for a spectacular reflex save in the final minute of her side’s match against England.
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Bichu Devi secured 52% of the votes, comfortably leading the other two nominees. Her late intervention helped India progress from the pool stage before the team eventually finished fifth, their best Women’s World Cup result in 52 years.
Pakistan’s Abdul Rehman wins the Poligras Magic Skill Award for his stunning goal in the FIH World Cup 2026. His mindblowing 3D skills saw him skip past 4 defenders, before adding a smart finish to score for Pakistan against Wales. Rehman’s goal recieved 44% of the votes narrowly…
— Muneeb Farrukh (@Muneeb313_) September 18, 2026
Pakistan finish 11th after dramatic shootout win
Rehman’s individual brilliance came during Pakistan’s World Cup campaign, which ended with the four-time champions finishing 11th, their best placing at the tournament in two decades.
Pakistan opened their Pool D campaign with a 4-1 defeat to England on August 15, before drawing 3-3 with Wales two days later. The Green Shirts then suffered a 5-3 loss to arch-rivals India on August 19, ending their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.
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In the classification round, Pakistan defeated Japan 4-3 on August 22, but their progress was halted by New Zealand, who secured a 4-2 victory on August 24.
Pakistan subsequently met South Africa in the 11th-place play-off. The match finished 4-4 after regulation time, with Pakistan prevailing 4-3 in the penalty shootout.
Read Also: Hockey World Cup 2026: Pakistan Beat South Africa 4-3 to Seal Best Finish in Two Decades
Ammad Butt converted the decisive penalty to secure victory and 11th place for Pakistan.
The result marked Pakistan’s best World Cup finish since 2006, when they finished sixth. They had placed 12th in the 2010 and 2018 editions and missed the 2014 and 2023 tournaments.
