A significant modification to the Player of the Match (POTM) award presentation for Muslim players at the current FIFA World Cup 2026 has been implemented by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). This year’s POTM award, which is sponsored by the beer company Michelob ULTRA, is decided by an online vote by fans. After the game, the winning player typically receives the trophy and poses for pictures against a backdrop that displays the sponsor’s logo. Later, these pictures are posted on various FIFA World Cup social media platforms.
Why Do Muslim Players Get Different POTM Awards?
However, because drinking alcohol is forbidden in Islam and in a few nations with a majority of Muslims, FIFA has taken a distinct stance for Muslim players. The typical Michelob ULTRA branding is removed from the presentation backdrop when a Muslim player wins the POTM award.
This particular adjustment was made Ismael Koné of Canada, Mahmoud Abunada of Qatar, Yan Diomande of the Ivory Coast, Ramin Rezaeian of Iran, Emam Ashour of Egypt, Ali Olwan of Jordan, Ismael Saibari of Morocco, and Johan Manzambi of Switzerland have all been adjusted.
During their award presentations, the FIFA World Cup badge and the phrases “Superior Player of the Match” are displayed on the backdrop rather than Michelob ULTRA emblems. The Michelob ULTRA branding is not apparent, even though the trophy itself is almost unchanged.
At the previous two FIFA World Cups, the beer corporation Budweiser was the official sponsor of the Player of the Match. Because the trophy was associated with an alcohol company, Egypt’s custodian Mohamed El Shenawy famously refused to receive it following his outstanding performance against Uruguay during the 2018 tournament.
In domestic football, similar adjustments have also been made. Yaya Touré was awarded among the Muslim players who declined the Player of the Match in the Premier League since it used to come with a bottle of alcohol. Since then, a more impartial prize has taken the place of the award, and trophy ceremonies now frequently use non-alcoholic champagne.
