FIFA to provide alcohol-free Player of the Match award to Muslim players in 2026 World Cup

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup will see a major change in the awarding of its Player of the Match award with some players able to be presented with the prize without alcohol branding on it due to their religious views and cultural sensitivity.

The new policy will see athletes who ask for the accomodation receiving a unique unbranded trophy and a neutral backdrop which will not include beer sponsorship logos which normally appear during the award ceremony.

The adjustment came under the limelight after Morocco’s Ismael Saibari was selected Player of the Match for scoring the tournament’s fastest first goal against Scotland.

The presentation was made with FIFA World Cup logo instead of the typical beer sponsor branding, opting for a neutral “Superior Player of the Match” look.

The identical unbranded prize presentation has reportedly been handed to Egypt’s Emam Ashour, Jordan’s Ali Olwan, Iran’s Ramin Rezaeian, Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Nada and Ivory Coast’s Yan Diomande.

A FIFA spokesperson indicated they may supply an unbranded award and backdrop at the request of the athlete selected.

The policy also applies to players who are under the legal drinking age.

This happened after a similar incident at the 2018 FIFA World Cup when Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy drew international attention for refusing to participate in promotional activities associated with the alcohol sponsor of the tournament after being named Player of the Match.