The FIFA World Cup Fair Play Award stands as one of international football’s most esteemed honors, celebrating sportsmanship, integrity, respect, and exemplary conduct at the global level.
It was first awarded at the 1970 FIFA World Cup as a simple certificate. The award was distributed as a trophy from 1982 to 1990 and was inspired by Sport Billy, a German cartoon character who promoted the ethos of fair play.
Since 1994, the trophy has taken the form of an elegant figurine of a footballer in a kicking stance. Beyond the trophy, the winning member also receives a FIFA-funded football-related social development (CSR) campaign worth up to $50,000.
FIFA delegates, including the FIFA Match Commissioner, members of the TSG, and members of the standing committee, publish final rankings after the competition and administer them at each match in the tournament.
All FIFA Fair Play Award winners (1970-2026):
| Championship Year | FIFA Fair Play Trophy Winner |
|---|---|
| 1970 |  Peru |
| 1974 |  West Germany |
| 1978 |  Argentina |
| 1982 |  Brazil |
| 1986 | Brazil |
| 1990 |  England |
| 1994 | Brazil |
| 1998 | England  France |
| 2002 |  Belgium |
| 2006 | Brazil  Spain |
| 2010 | Spain |
| 2014 |  Colombia |
| 2018 | Spain |
| 2022 | England |
| 2026 |  Netherlands |
Criteria for the Assessment of Fair Play Performance
FIFA judges each team’s sportsmanship and discipline on the basis of six criteria that are more focused on the positive aspects rather than the negative ones. These criteria quantify fair play performance for easy assessment. A team must display a positive attitude to receive the maximum points.
These six criteria are:
1. Red and yellow card count for each team
- Maximum assigned points: 10 points
- Maximum deduction: -5 points for a yellow card & direct red card
- Minimum deduction: -1 point for the first yellow card
- Other deductions: -3 points (second yellow or indirect red card); -4 points (direct red card)
2. Positive play: Practices that increase the chances of scoring and the number of goals scored get points. Negative tactics, such as rough play, do not earn any points for fair play.
- Maximum addition: 10 points
- Minimum addition: 1 point
3. Respect towards the opponent: Practices that promote sportsmanship, e.g., helping an injured opponent.
- Minimum addition: 1 point
- Maximum addition: 5 points
4. Respect towards the referee/match officials: Display of respect towards the referee and other game officials.
- Minimum addition: 1 point
- Maximum addition: 5 points
5. Behavior of the team officials: Display of respect by the team’s coaches and other officials towards other FIFA members.
- Minimum addition: 1 point
- Maximum addition: 5 points
6. Behavior of the crowd: Maintaining a positive game atmosphere and respect towards the opponents of the supporting team.
- Minimum addition: 1 point
- Maximum addition: 5 points
