Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga are both nominated for the 2026 IRL Men's Golden Boot before facing each other in Sunday's Australia-New Zealand World Cup final at Suncorp Stadium.
Shortlists spanning eight countries cover the men's, women's and wheelchair awards, which will be presented in Brisbane on Thursday night.
Tonga's Rob Toia, Toa Samoa's Francis Manuleleua and New Zealand's Casey McLean join Walsh and Ponga among the men's nominees.
Ponga switched international eligibility from Australia to New Zealand and returned 23 days after breaking his arm, helping the Kiwis reach their first final since 2013.
Walsh also impressed in Australia's semi-final win over Samoa.
Women's nominees include Jillaroos Tamika Upton, Olivia Kernick and Abbi Church, plus Kiwi Ferns Raecene McGregor, Apii Nicholls and Stacey Waaka.
Fetu Samoa's Evania Isa'ako and Fiji Bulikula's Luisa Yaranamua complete the list; Church has scored eight tries in three matches after Julia Robinson's injury ruled her out.
Wheelchair nominees are England's Rob Hawkins and Joe Coyd, Ireland captain Joe Calcott, Wheelaroos Bayley McKenna and Adam Tannock, and French players Jeremy Bourson, Nicolas Clausells and Dany Denuwelaere.
Hawkins won the previous year's award and became the first player in any form of the game to claim it in consecutive years.
France's three nominees are preparing for Friday's World Cup final against England in Wollongong.
The ceremony will also name 42 initial inductees to the IRL Hall of Legends, recognising their contributions to international rugby league.
The Golden Boot honours the best player in sanctioned international matches each year.