Meet the nominees for the 2026 FIFPRO Merit Awards

• Eleven inspiring footballers have been nominated for the 2026 FIFPRO Merit Awards
• Awards recognise outstanding player activism, impact and voice
• Winners will be announced at the 2026 FIFPRO General Assembly in Panama on Thursday 19 November

Providing clean water to communities. Supporting young players released by academies. Creating inclusive spaces for children with autism. Fighting for equality in women’s football.

Across the world, professional footballers are drawing on their experiences and using their platforms to improve the lives of others. The 11 nominees for the 2026 FIFPRO Merit Awards, each put forward by their domestic player union, show the many forms that player-led change can take.

Presented since 2008, the FIFPRO Merit Awards recognise players in three categories: Player Activism, Player Impact and Player Voice. The winners will be selected by a committee and presented at the 2026 FIFPRO General Assembly in Panama City, Panama on Thursday 19 November. Each of the three winners will receive a $10,000 donation from FIFPRO to help support their initiative. 

Meet this year’s nominees.

Alex Chidiac (Como/Australia)

Australia international Alex Chidiac has supported causes ranging from gender equality and education to homelessness and climate action.

Through Common Goal and other initiatives, the Como midfielder has helped fund sanitary products for women and girls, participated in homelessness programmes and advocated for football to play a greater role in addressing climate change. She has also donated to PFA Australia’s social-impact fund and spoken up for player rights during collective bargaining negotiations.

Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool/Netherlands)

Jeremie Frimpong established Pathways to support young footballers released from professional academies and help them build a future beyond the pitch.

Inspired by former team-mates who struggled after leaving the academy system, the Liverpool defender has created a network offering mentoring, mental health support, education, career guidance and workplace opportunities. Pathways has reached more than 800 young people across the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany and Ghana.

Joao Gomes (Aston Villa/Brazil)

Aston Villa midfielder Joao Gomes is using his experience of living with a stammer to inspire children with speech, language and hearing needs.

When at former club Wolverhampton Wanderers, Gomes helped develop Wolf Words with Wolves Foundation, offering tailored mentoring sessions in schools. The project uses physical activity and sensory-friendly exercises to build children’s confidence, communication skills and self-esteem. Gomes is also establishing a similar initiative through the Joao Gomes Institute in Brazil.

Ji So-yun (Suwon/Korea Republic)

Korea Republic’s all-time leading scorer, Ji So-yun has become a powerful advocate for better conditions in women’s football.

The Korea Professional Footballers’ Association president helped unite national team players behind demands for fairer compensation, improved facilities and stronger player representation. Her advocacy has contributed to increased investment in the women’s national team, changes to the WK League salary cap and continued dialogue around player safety.

Tinja-Riikka Korpela (HPS/Finland)

Over a two-decade career, goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela has consistently spoken up for equality, human rights and the fair treatment of footballers.

The former Finland captain played a leading role in securing equal conditions and compensation for the country’s women’s and men’s national teams. A former board member of the Finnish Football Players Association and a member of the Finnish Human Rights League, she has also supported campaigns against racism and discrimination and promoted greater inclusion in sport. 

Christian Luyindama (DR Congo)

Christian Luyindama established a specialist clinic in Congo DR’s capital Kinshasa to make essential healthcare more affordable for footballers and vulnerable members of the community.

Through his foundation, the former DR Congo international enables clubs competing in CAF competitions to complete mandatory medical tests for around one-third of the usual cost. Since opening in 2024, the clinic has also provided free treatment to patients unable to pay and to players recovering from illness or injury.

Steve Mounie (Augsburg/Benin)

Through the Steve Mounie Foundation, the Benin international is helping communities access clean water, healthcare, education and sport.

His initiatives include establishing a self-sufficient drinking-water system for a district hospital in Kouande and providing sports equipment to five primary schools in Parakou, benefiting 5,363 children. In 2025, the Augsburg forward was appointed a UNICEF Benin Champion for Children’s Rights.

Zecira Musovic (Malmo/Sweden)

Sweden international Zecira Musovic created Next Generation Dreamers to give girls the opportunity and confidence to pursue their ambitions through football.

At the heart of the initiative is NGD FC, a team for girls from socio-economically vulnerable areas of Helsingborg. Players take part free of charge while developing their football skills, self-belief and understanding of teamwork. The project reflects Musovic’s own experience of having her football ambitions questioned as a child.

Walmer Pacheco (Deportivo Pereira/Colombia)

After an earthquake struck Colombia in August 2026, Walmer Pacheco mobilised his team-mates to support affected families in Pereira and Risaralda.

The Deportivo Pereira captain helped organise and distribute drinking water, food, hygiene kits and other essential supplies. He also delivered aid to hospitals and rescue workers and took part in rubble-clearance efforts, encouraging others across the community to support the humanitarian response.

Julio Pleguezuelo (Plymouth Argyle/Spain)

Drawing on his experience as the father of a child with autism, Julio Pleguezuelo helped create Argyle 4 Autism with his team-mates and Argyle Community Trust.

The programme combines weekly sport and sensory-friendly play with parent workshops, tailored football sessions and practical family support. The Plymouth Argyle defender regularly attends alongside his family and has helped shape the programme, which has improved confidence, activity levels and emotional regulation among participants.

Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United/USA)

Qualified marine biologist Phallon Tullis-Joyce co-created Eco Reds with Manchester United Foundation to educate and empower young people to protect the environment.

The Manchester United goalkeeper develops and delivers lessons on marine life and conservation at partner schools, while also supporting educational visits and events. More than 200 young people attended an Eco Reds celebration she helped organise at Manchester Museum, with 93 percent of participants reporting that they felt more inspired to protect the planet.