In a significant development for Portugal FC, FC Porto was awarded the Social Responsibility Award by Liga Portugal on March 31, 2026, during a ceremony held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The award was presented by Paulo de Mariz Rozeira, Executive Director of Liga Portugal, and coincides with a friendly match between the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Portugal.
Luísa, a young supporter, attended the award ceremony and was visibly elated as she took the trophy home. This marks the third award presented to FC Porto by Liga Portugal, with this being the second recognition for their commitment to social responsibility initiatives.
FC Porto has a long-standing history of engaging in social responsibility projects, which have garnered them multiple accolades over the years. Tiago Gouveia, a representative from the club, expressed the importance of such initiatives, stating, “Our recognition is seeing Luísa’s joy, the joy of the other children and of our supporters when we carry out this kind of initiative.”
As the USMNT prepares to face Portugal, they are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 5-2 loss to Belgium in their previous match. The friendly match against Portugal is part of the March international window, with kick-off scheduled for 7:00 PM local time (4:00 PM Pacific).
However, the USMNT will be without Chris Richards, who has been held out of the match due to a knee issue. The team is expected to don their Stars kits, aiming to provide a boost in confidence ahead of the upcoming summer World Cup.
José Santiago, a representative from FC Porto, expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, “First of all, I want to thank FC Porto for this very beautiful gesture of giving her the award.” This sentiment underscores the club’s commitment to fostering community engagement through their initiatives.
As the match approaches, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation, not only for the game itself but also for the recognition of FC Porto’s contributions to society. The intersection of sports and social responsibility continues to be a focal point for the club, as they strive to make a positive impact.
In light of these developments, the reactions from fans and supporters are expected to be overwhelmingly positive, celebrating both the award and the upcoming match. The commitment of FC Porto to social responsibility resonates deeply within the community, reinforcing the club’s values.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further initiatives that may be announced during the match or following the award ceremony, but the focus remains on the positive impact of FC Porto’s efforts.