SACRAMENTO 2023 HOMELESS WORLD CUP: FIFPRO FAIR PLAY AWARDS (finals day)
Credit: Dan Higginson
Finals Day at the 2023 Homeless World Cup at Sac State in Sacramento; however in a change to the previous format, the seventh and final FIFPRO Fair Play Award was not awarded at Hornet Stadium but at the home to Sacramento Republic FC who invited all teams and players to mark the end of the Homeless World Cup as their guests for the night.
The Finland women’s team were the proud recipient of the award and were presented with the award at Heart Health Park during halftime at the Sacramento Republic versus Memphis 901 FC soccer game.
Throughout the tournament, the Finland team danced, cheered and danced some more as they encouraged players and teams from the stands in Sacramento. Always smiling, they were a real joy during the week long tournament being held at the Hornet Stadium and deserving winners of the final FIFPRO Fair Play Award.
The Fédération Internationale des Associations de Footballeurs Professionnels (International Federation of Footballers), widely known as FIFPRO, is the world’s footballer’s union, representing around 65,000 professional footballers worldwide and the organisation has been a key supporter of the Homeless World Cup Foundation since 2015. FIFPRO sponsor a daily Fair Play Award at the Homeless World Cup each year.
The Homeless World Cup is, of course, a football competition; however, the values and ethos go beyond winning trophies. At its heart the tournament’s goal is to create a global community of players who feel included in society. The daily FIFPRO Fair Play Awards build on these ideals of the tournament. The awards are presented to teams and individuals who have demonstrated the values of fair play, respect and sportsmanship.
Credit: Anita Milas