FIFA Removes Beer Sponsor From Player of the Match Trophy for Muslim World Cup Players

Morocco’s Ismael Saibari during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Morocco and Haiti on June 24 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has introduced a significant change to one of the tournament’s most recognizable post-match traditions.

FIFA is allowing select players to receive a version of the Player of the Match trophy without sponsor branding, accommodating Muslim players, underage athletes and others who prefer not to be associated with an alcohol brand.

The change affects the tournament’s “Superior Player of the Match” award, which is sponsored by Michelob Ultra. Instead of displaying the beer brand’s logo, qualifying players receive a trophy and official photo backdrop that feature only the award title and FIFA branding.

The policy came into focus after Morocco midfielder Ismael Saibari received a logo-free trophy following his Player of the Match performance against Scotland, where he scored the fastest goal of the tournament.

According to reports from Brazilian outlet O Globo, several other players have also received sponsor-free trophies, including Egypt’s Imam Ashour, Jordan’s Ali Olwan, Iran’s Ramin Rezaeian, Qatar goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada, Ivory Coast’s Yann Diomandé, Canada’s Ismaël Koné and Switzerland’s Yoan Manyambi.

According to SportBible, the option for a trophy without alcohol branding is available at any player’s request.

The policy is intended to accommodate religious and cultural beliefs, particularly for Muslim players whose faith prohibits alcohol consumption. It also applies to players below the legal drinking age or anyone else who does not wish to be photographed with alcohol branding.

FIFA previously implemented the same approach during the 2025 Club World Cup. Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi accepted a logo-free award for religious reasons, while Brazilian star Estêvão, who was underage at the time, also received a sponsor-free version.

The issue of alcohol sponsorship at international soccer tournaments has surfaced before. During the 2018 World Cup, Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy reportedly declined to accept the traditional Player of the Match award because it was sponsored by a beer company.

While Michelob Ultra remains the official sponsor of the award, FIFA’s opt-out policy allows individual players to celebrate their performances without appearing alongside alcohol branding if they choose.