ATLANTA (July 9, 2025) – U.S. Soccer and Soccer Forward will honor current and former players from any of its National Team programs with the Social Impact Award as a part of its ongoing partnership with Haleon. This award will recognize athletes for their off-the-field contributions that harness the transformative power of soccer to positively impact lives and communities. Players will be nominated for the Social Impact Award by current and former National Team players, and winners will be awarded a $20,000 grant.
“The Social Impact Award is part of a broader mission between Haleon and U.S. Soccer to grow accessibility in soccer while supporting health inclusivity,” said Katie Williams, Haleon US Chief Marketing Officer. “This award reflects Haleon’s values and is a celebration of the people who embody them within U.S. Soccer.”
“The Social Impact Award recognizes excellence with integrity within the soccer community,” said Turan Mullins, U.S. Soccer Vice President, Inclusion & Engagement. “U.S. Soccer, in partnership with Haleon, wants to foster inclusivity and meaningful societal change while driving progress in soccer and in our broader communities.”
Nominated Individuals must meet the following criteria:
- Must be individuals making a significant impact in the community aligned to one or more of Soccer Forward’s three pillars – Soccer: For everyone, everywhere; Soccer: For health; and Soccer: For equity and excellence in the women’s game
- Must have had at least one cap across U.S. Soccer’s Extended National Teams, Youth National Teams, Senior Men’s National Team, or Senior Women’s National Team
Nominees will be evaluated on community impact, leadership and advocacy, sustainability and longevity, and integrity and growth. Nominations for the Social Impact Award presented by Haleon will open July 18th, 2025, with the nomination window closing on September 15th, 2025. There is no limit to the number of nominations. Current players, former players, and relevant stakeholders can nominate players.
Submissions will be evaluated by U.S. Soccer leadership, Haleon representatives, Athletes Council, and Game Changers United. The award will be presented during the halftime ceremony of a National Team match during the December FIFA window. For more information, visit https://www.ussoccer.com/history/awards.
About the U.S. Soccer Federation
Founded in 1913, U.S. Soccer, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the official governing body of the sport in the United States. Our vision is clear; we exist in service to soccer. Our ambition, working across the soccer ecosystem, is to ignite a national passion for the game. We believe soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good. We are focused in three areas: Soccer Everywhere, ensuring everyone, everywhere experiences the joy of soccer; Soccer Success, our 27 National Teams and pro leagues winning on the world stage; and Soccer Investment, maximizing and diversifying investments to sustainably grow the game at all levels. For more information, visit ussoccer.com/ourvision.
About the Soccer Forward Foundation
The Soccer Forward Foundation is a key driver in U.S. Soccer’s overall vision that soccer is a force for good. Operating with the belief that soccer contributes to healthier and more connected, equitable communities, Soccer Forward supports U.S. Soccer’s efforts to expand access to the sport, helping the game reach more people and create lasting change. Soccer Forward focuses on enabling and equipping people, places and programs to grow the game in communities across America and on delivering cutting-edge research, training, and guidelines to prove soccer’s contribution to health outcomes in communities. In addition, it will develop standards and provide business and technical support to build the ecosystem for the women’s game across the U.S. and globally. For more information, visit ussoccer.com/soccer-forward.
About HALEON US
Haleon (NYSE: HLN) is a leading global consumer health company with a purpose to deliver better everyday health to humanity. Haleon’s product portfolio spans five major categories: Oral Health, Pain Relief, Respiratory Health, Digestive Health, Sexual Health, and Wellness. Built on trusted science, innovation, and deep human understanding, Haleon’s U.S. brands include Abreva, Advil, Benefiber, Centrum, Emergen-C, Eroxon, Excedrin, Flonase, Gas-X, Nexium, Nicorette, Parodontax, Polident, Preparation H, Pronamel, Sensodyne, Robitussin, Theraflu, TUMS, Voltaren, and more. For more information on Haleon and its brands, please visit www.haleon.com or contact USMediaRelations@haleon.com.
