World Cup 2026: Riyad Mahrez’s Man of the Match award highlights FIFA’s inclusive approach

Riyad Mahrez’s outstanding display against Austria earned him FIFA’s Man of the Match award, but it was the trophy itself that drew attention after Algeria’s dramatic 3-3 draw at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas.

The Algeria captain scored twice and played a decisive role as the Fennecs secured qualification for the Round of 32.

Following the match, Mahrez received FIFA’s Superior Player of the Match trophy, becoming the second Algerian player to collect the honour during the tournament after Ibrahim Maza.

While the award recognised Mahrez’s performance on the pitch, the version of the trophy presented to him also reflected a distinctive approach adopted by FIFA during matches involving Muslim nations.

Mahrez joins Maza among Algeria’s award winners

Algeria have now produced two FIFA Player of the Match recipients after the group stage.

Mahrez recognised after influential Austria display

Mahrez’s performance against Austria proved decisive as Algeria fought back in an entertaining 3-3 draw.

The winger scored twice and was heavily involved throughout the contest, helping the Fennecs secure the result they needed to reach the knockout stage.

His display earned him FIFA’s Superior Player of the Match award, following Ibrahim Maza, who previously received the same recognition after Algeria’s match against Jordan.

As with every Player of the Match award, the winner posed for the traditional post-match photograph with the commemorative trophy provided by one of the tournament’s sponsors.

FIFA adopts different trophy for certain matches

The version of the trophy presented after Algeria’s match differed from those seen in many other World Cup fixtures.

Award presented without alcohol brand logo

According to the tournament’s approach, FIFA provides a version of the trophy without the sponsor’s alcohol branding during matches involving one or both teams representing Muslim nations.

The measure is intended to avoid placing Muslim players in a position where they would be photographed holding a trophy displaying the logo of an alcoholic beverage.

As a result, Mahrez and Maza received trophies that did not feature the sponsor’s branding.

The same approach applies whenever fixtures involve national teams from Muslim-majority countries participating in the tournament.

FIFA continues religious inclusion measures

The trophy is one of several accommodations highlighted during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Organisation promotes respect for religious practices

The tournament has also adopted other measures relating to religious sensitivity.

Among them is the decision to ensure that national flags containing the name of Allah, including those of Saudi Arabia and Iraq, are not placed directly on the playing surface.

FIFA has also stated that it promotes religious inclusion by guaranteeing freedom of worship for players and supporters throughout the tournament.

This includes providing prayer spaces at stadiums and training facilities while allowing players to express their faith on the pitch.

Such expressions have already been seen during the competition, including Algeria defender Rafik Belghali, who celebrated his equalising goal against Austria by performing a prostration.

Mahrez’s Player of the Match award therefore became notable not only for recognising his influential performance but also for reflecting FIFA’s efforts to adapt tournament protocols for matches involving Muslim nations.

As Algeria prepare for the knockout rounds, the captain’s performance against Austria remains one of the standout individual displays of the Fennecs’ World Cup campaign, while the presentation of his award has also highlighted one of the tournament’s distinctive organisational measures.