Published on 6/18/2026
The French national team players took a collective decision to avoid standing in front of advertising backgrounds promoting alcoholic beverage companies when receiving the Man of the Match award in the 2026 World Cup, preferring to use completely neutral backgrounds.
It is customary for the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to organize an official photo session to document the moment of receiving the award in partnership with a liquor company, so that the players are presented with two photo backgrounds: the first in which the company’s logo appears prominently, and the other without a logo.
The French national team refuses to promote alcohol
The French network “RMC Sport” reported that French national team officials informed the organizing committee of the 2026 World Cup that its players who will receive this award will stand in front of a completely neutral background, without any reference to that company.
This decision was implemented after the first confrontation with France, which took place last Tuesday, in which the “Roosters” defeated Senegal 3-1, and Bayern Munich’s Michael Oliseh won the Man of the Match award.
According to the same network, this decision was not “the result of coincidence or improvisation,” but rather came as an extension of discussions that have been ongoing for several years regarding the image rights of French national team players.
She explained that many French national team players do not want to be associated with certain categories of commercial partners, especially those related to liquor brands.
Accordingly, French national team officials preferred to establish a unified rule for all players, as in addition to being “a matter of principle, this option also contributes at the same time to avoiding any individual controversy,” as no player will be forced to take a public position when receiving his award.
The French national team will face its Iraqi counterpart on Tuesday night next week, at twelve o’clock at night, Mecca, Doha and Baghdad time, in the second round of the World Cup’s ninth group matches.
