The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is just around the corner, so HITC Football has taken a look at every winner of the FIFA Fair Play Trophy. Fernando Hierro’s Spain were the last recipient.
Hierro oversaw a disciplined unit in Russia four years ago after he stepped in to manage La Roja. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) fired Julen Lopetegui two days before their opening game. Hierro was serving as the national side’s sporting director at the time.
The RFEF fired Lopetegui on the eve of Russia 2018 after Real Madrid announced he would replace Zinedine Zidane. He accepted Los Blancos’ offer to coach the La Liga side without informing the RFEF of his negotiations, the RFEF claimed. He was unbeaten after 20 games.
Spain would go on to top Group B at the 2018 World Cup from Portugal, Iran and Morocco. But the host nation, Russia, ended La Roja’s journey in the Round of 16. Sbornaya took the 2010 champions all the way to penalties after a 1-1 draw, before emerging as 4-3 winners.
FIFA still gave Spain its most recent Fair Play Trophy at a World Cup. It recognises the team or teams that record the best disciplinary record and/or show sportsmanship among those to reach the second round. FIFA introduced it in 1970 and gave an actual trophy from 1982.
So, with Qatar 2022 now just around the corner, HITC Football has taken a look back at all 15 previous winners of the FIFA Fair Play Trophy at each World Cup since the 1970 edition. There have been multiple winners at just two of the 13 tournaments with the award so far.
1970: Peru won the first FIFA Fair Play Trophy at the Mexico World Cup
Peru won the first FIFA Fair Play Trophy at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. La Blanquirroja reached the quarter-finals before losing 4-2 to Brazil in Guadalajara. The South Americans were also the only nation to make the knockout stages without receiving a single caution.
1974: West Germany won the World Cup Fair Play Trophy on home soil
West Germany hosted the World Cup in 1974 and won the second FIFA Fair Play Trophy. It was the lesser of their two titles that year, though, as they also sealed a second World Cup title. West Germany went through the summer having only received three yellow cards.
1978: Argentina won the Fair Play Trophy while hosting the World Cup
Argentina won the Fair Play Trophy on home soil in 1978 as La Albiceleste hosted and won their first World Cup in 1978. Mario Kempes fired Argentina to glory with a Golden Boot-winning six goals. While referees only showed Argentina four yellow cards over their ties.
1982: Brazil won the first physical Fair Play Trophy at the Spain World Cup
Brazil won the first physical Fair Play Trophy in 1982 as Spain hosted the World Cup. The Selecao only made the second group stage that year as Italy pipped the South Americans for a semi-final slot. But Brazil left Europe after only receiving two yellow cards in five ties.
1986: Brazil won a successive Fair Play Trophy on their trip to Mexico
Brazil sealed a successive Fair Play Trophy on their trip to Mexico for the 1986 World Cup. The Selecao reached the quarter-finals before losing 4-3 on penalties to France after a 1-1 draw. The South Americans also only earned three yellow cards through their five fixtures.
1990: England won their first World Cup Fair Play Trophy at Italia 90
England won their first FIFA Fair Play Trophy at a World Cup at Italia 90 as the Three Lions finished fourth. They received six yellow cards over their ties en route to losing to the host nation in the third-place play-off. It was England’s best finish since their only title in 1966.
1994: Brazil produced the best disciplinary record once again in the USA
Brazil again produced the best disciplinary record to set the standards in the United States of America in 1994. The Selecao won yet another FIFA Fair Play Award at the World Cup as they lifted the fourth of their five titles. Even though they received eight yellows and a red.
1998: England shared the FIFA gong as the host nation, France, won big
France and England shared the Fair Play Trophy in 1998 as the former went on to win their first World Cup title. Les Bleus achieved global success on home soil at a tournament that had 10 yellow cards and a dismissal for two bookings. England had five yellows and a red.
2002: Belgium won the disciplinary award in Japan and South Korea
Belgium won the Fair Play Trophy at the first World Cup held in Asia in 2002 as Japan and South Korea co-hosted the event. The Red Devils only made the Round of 16 before losing to eventual champions Brazil. They also received seven yellow cards over their four games.
2006: Brazil and Spain shared the gong as Germany hosted the World Cup
Brazil and Spain shared the Fair Play Trophy in 2006 while Germany hosted the World Cup. Even though the Selecao earned 11 yellow cards to La Roja’s six. Brazil also only made the quarter-finals before losing to France, who had eliminated Spain during the Round of 16.
2010: Spain won their first World Cup and a Fair Play Trophy in South Africa
Spain won their first – and so far only – World Cup title at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Vicente del Bosque’s side also earned the Fair Play Trophy and the first – and so far only – World Cup to be held in Africa. La Roja received eight yellow cards during their ties.
2014: Colombia produced the best disciplinary record on Brazilian soil
Colombia earned recognition from FIFA for their fair play at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Los Cafeteros topped Group C with three wins from three and eliminated Uruguay in the last 16 before losing to Brazil. The South Americans also only received five yellow cards.
2018: Hierro oversaw a disciplined Spain side as their interim boss in Russia
FIFA awarded Spain the most recent Fair Play Trophy at a World Cup ahead of Qatar 2022 at Russia 2018. La Roja stood out during difficult circumstances with Lopetegui’s late firing and Hierro stepping in. Referees only showed Spanish players two yellow cards in four ties.
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