A journey of teamwork and resilience
The Mastercard football team in London has embarked on an incredible journey through the ranks of corporate football, showcasing the spirit of teamwork, resilience, and shared ambition. Over the last two years, under the fine stewardship of team captain Baron Gracias, we have competed weekly in various 5-aside leagues and tournaments, honing our skills and strengthening our bond as a team. With consecutive Fintech League titles and UK business tournament triumphs, we earned the opportunity to take our passion to the big stage - the FIFCO World Cup in Greece.
Pictured above: Baron Gracias, Jonathan Hambrier, Daniel Elsey, Wilder Liddle, Bruno Mila Ruiz De Apodaca, Lukas Suhaj, Sergio Dhillon, Alex Ward and Abbas Ghahremani.
Our team covers a wide range of job functions, from videography to data science, and every member brings a different piece of the Mastercard puzzle. Our delight was surpassed only by our anticipation: how far could we go? Despite the entire team living and working in the UK, we represented the United States, something we grew to cherish as we witnessed the support from the US offices. As underdogs with no expectations, we saw every win as a triumph.
From group stages to the world stage
We kicked off the tournament with two consecutive wins, securing a spot in the knockout stages. A draw against Abu Dhabi took us to a crossroads - the quarterfinals were a milestone beyond what we had imagined. But after a stunning 4-2 victory over Monaco, belief sparked within us, and we knew we were capable of more.
In the semifinals, we faced Cape Verde, a formidable team that pushed us to our limits. It was our hardest-fought match, and yet we emerged victorious, 3-1. In that moment, the semifinal felt like the final. But we didn't have long to celebrate, as the true final awaited - against a 3-time FIFCO champion team of professional Futsal players. We fell at the last hurdle but stood tall and finally had the chance to reflect on our achievements.
A silver finish
Though we didn't take home the championship, we walked away with something more valuable: pride in how far we'd come. Debutants from London with no prior international experience, we had gone further than we ever thought possible. Taking home silver only fuels our desire to push harder and go even further next time.
Achieving more together
Together we represent the very best of Mastercard's team culture - ambition, collaboration, and the belief that together, we can achieve more. From different roles and departments, we brought our diverse talents and perspectives to the field, lifting each other up to reach new heights. Silver for now, but gold next time.
Join the Mastercard team
At Mastercard, we celebrate those who are driven by curiosity, camaraderie, and a desire to grow. If you're looking for a place where you can push boundaries, make a global impact, and be part of a supportive community, you'll find it here. Join our team and help shape the future of commerce and beyond.
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