What is the Superior Player Award FIFA? The expanded Club World Cup has officially kicked off in the U.S., and it’s getting mixed reactions. Some matches have packed stadiums, while others have struggled to draw crowds. This revamped tournament now features 32 teams from around the globe, a trophy that literally requires a key to open, and some new tweaks to the rules and officiating.

Matchdays have also gotten a bit of a makeover, both on-screen and in the stadiums. Players now get introduced individually before kickoff—kind of like the NBA intros. It takes a little longer with 11 starters on each side, but it definitely adds a bit of drama. There’s also a new “Ref Cam” that gives fans a close-up look at key moments, especially during goals.

Then there’s the newest addition that has fans talking: the Superior Player Award.

Why Call It the “Superior Player Award”?

Instead of the usual “Player of the Match” or “Man of the Match” honors, this tournament now hands out something called the “Superior Player Award” after every game.

Why the name change? One word: branding. Michelob Ultra, one of the event’s main sponsors, is behind the award. Their logo pops up everywhere before matches, and there’s even a commercial with Lionel Messi juggling a soccer ball in a hotel lobby with the tagline “Superior is worth playing for.”

It’s a smart blend of product promotion and performance recognition. The word “superior” ties into Michelob Ultra’s marketing and gives the award a fresh spin made just for this competition.

The full name—“Superior Player Award FIFA Club World Cup”—is now showing up on FIFA+ and in official match recaps. It’s not a random partnership. It’s part of the whole branding strategy for the event.

Has This Been Done Before?

Not really. Michelob Ultra has been aligning itself with soccer events for a while. The Superior Player Award showed up in the 2024 Copa América and the Concacaf Champions Cup too. In Copa América, fans voted for the winner, while the Champions Cup featured on-stage presentations to honor top players under the same “Superior” branding.

These endorsement strategies appear aimed at Americans— or at least people in developing soccer markets. One can only assume that with a growing World Cup presence in 2026 here in North America, they want to build a brand presence (if they don’t already) before the Cup.

But wait, there’s more— Michelob Ultra will also be the official sponsor of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Thus, this affiliation with major sporting events is an extended commitment to those patronized by sport and a sporting way of life.

How Do They Pick the Winners?

It’s all up to the fans. From the 60th to the 88th minute of every Club World Cup game, fans can select the MVP through the FIFA+ app. This is a voting method similar to what FIFA has done in recent tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup; fans know how to do this.

Each person gets one vote per match, and you’ll need a FIFA+ account to join in. You also have to be over 18. Doesn’t matter if you’re in Buenos Aires, Lagos, New York, or Tokyo—a vote’s a vote. The idea is to keep fans engaged right until the final whistle, even in matches that aren’t all that close.

There’s no committee or panel making the call. The fans decide. That also means the process is pretty transparent. After the game ends and the champion is decided, he receives recognition in post-game interviews, and social media buzz ensues.

What Other Prizes Are Up for Grabs?

The Superior Player Award might be the one getting most of the attention during the tournament, but there are more individual prizes coming at the end:

• Golden Ball – Best overall player of the tournament
• Silver Ball – Second-best performer
• Bronze Ball – Third place
• Golden Boot – Top goal scorer

These awards aren’t fan-voted. They’re decided by FIFA’s technical study group.

There’s also one more special recognition: the tournament winner gets to wear a gold badge on their jerseys until the next Club World Cup in 2029. It’s a big thing, especially for merchandise.

For instance, after Real Madrid won the 2022 Club World Cup, their following season uniforms had the gold patch, and stores and online shops were sold out of fans getting them.