Dimasheq
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has introduced adjustments to the presentation mechanism of the “Man of the Match” award during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in a move aimed at respecting the religious and cultural sensitivities of certain players, as well as protecting underage players.
The award for best player in each match is granted after every game based on fan voting, and it does not include any financial prize, being limited to honorary recognition.
Given that the award is sponsored by an alcoholic beverage company, FIFA decided to remove the brand name from the award and from the backdrop of the presentation platform when it is awarded to players whose religious beliefs or age prevent them from being associated with the promotion of such products.
The adjustment was notably observed during the presentation of the award to several players, including Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, Algerian player Ibrahim Maza, Moroccan midfielder Ismael Saibari, and French forward Ousmane Dembélé, where the award was displayed without the sponsor’s branding.
The decision comes amid an unprecedented number of Muslim players participating in the current World Cup edition, both in national teams with Muslim-majority populations such as Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Iran, Senegal, and Turkey, as well as in other national squads that include Muslim players, such as France and Spain.
This measure reflects a broader effort by FIFA to accommodate cultural and religious diversity among participants, ensuring respect for their beliefs during official award ceremonies
