Kurdistan’s Zakho SC Fans Named FIFA’s 2025 Fan for Kindness Humanitarian Gesture

Fans of Zakho Sports Club in Kurdistan’s Duhok province have made history by winning the FIFA Fan Award 2025, celebrated for their extraordinary act of humanity that captivated football fans worldwide.

Ahead of a May Stars League match against Al-Hudood, supporters threw thousands of stuffed teddy bears onto the pitch, which were later collected and donated to children battling illness across the region.

The heartwarming act not only showcased the fans’ compassion but also went viral, drawing praise from FIFA President Gianni Infantino and leaders across the Kurdistan Region, including Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and President Nechirvan Barzani.

The award, which honors outstanding expressions of commitment, solidarity, and humanitarianism in football, was decided through both an expert panel and global public voting, highlighting how Zakho fans turned a routine football match into a moment of international inspiration.

Their actions symbolized the power of sports to unite communities, spread hope, and deliver a message of love, solidarity, and peace to the world.