Visa, the global partner of FIFA for Women’s Soccer, has announced the first-ever extension of the coveted Visa Player of the Match Sports Award to support Women-Owned Small Businesses (WSMB) with a total of $500,000 in grant funding across 64 matches and potentially 32 eligible countries. .
“Visa knows that fairness takes action and resources. We’re excited to use the world’s largest stage for women’s sports to put the force for change in players’ performance – and to raise the bar for business in the home country of every player in the match.” said Frank Cooper, Visa’s director of marketing.
One athlete, one business owner, one inspiring moment
The Visa Player of the Match award is awarded in each of the 64 matches to the player voted by the fans to be the most outstanding player in the match. At the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, fans watching at home will once again have the opportunity to celebrate women on the pitch and for the first time to help raise the bar for women in business at the same time.
In preparation for the final, Visa will award 64 scholarships to small businesses from the same country as the national team represented by the winning soccer player.
Whether she’s a first-time player from Panama’s national team or a veteran of the defending champion USA team, a woman small business owner in the player-of-the-match country she represents will receive a grant to help achieve her own goals.
Funding ranges from $5,000 for the 48 matches of the first round up to $50,000 for the final. The winning small companies will be announced directly at the Athletes’ Cup show.
This initiative stems from Visa’s multi-year commitment to helping women entrepreneurs access critical financial resources and enable integration into the global economy. Supporting women in sport is critical to the future success of the business. According to a survey of 5,000 adults and 2,250 small business owners in 10 markets conducted by Wakefield Research for Visa:
- Eight in ten (82%) WSMB owners agreed that participating in sports affects a person’s success in business.
- The four most important business skills identified by WSMB owners that business leaders can develop through participation in sports are strategic thinking, teamwork, communication and leadership.
- 81% of WSMB owners agreed that overcoming adversity in sports prepares people to face the most difficult situations in business.
- 89% of women surveyed agreed that children can develop skills vital to future professional success by participating in sports.
Visa is committed to empowering women across its organization and through its brand. For more than 15 years, Visa’s investment in women’s soccer has advocated for equality and inclusion and created meaningful connections with athletes, fans and communities around the world. Visa is the premier partner of FIFA Women’s Football, the first independent sponsor of UEFA Women’s Football, and sponsor of national teams including the US Soccer Federation and the Mexican Football Federation.
