In a significant and unprecedented ceremony, former United States President Donald Trump was presented with the very first FIFA Peace Prize. The award was given during the high-profile draw event for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C.
A Historic Moment on a Global Stage
The presentation took place on Friday, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino personally handing over the honour to Trump on stage. Infantino stated that the former president was chosen "in recognition of his exceptional and extraordinary actions to promote peace and unity around the world." He directly addressed Trump, declaring, "This is your prize, this is your peace prize," as he presented a trophy, a medal, and a certificate.
Infantino added a personal touch, noting, "There is also a beautiful medal for you that you can wear everywhere you want to go." According to FIFA's official statement, this new prize is designated for individuals who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to uniting people through peaceful actions.
Trump's Acceptance and Claims of Global Impact
Upon accepting the award, Donald Trump described it as "one of the great honours of my life." He used his speech to make several bold claims about his foreign policy achievements during his presidency. Trump asserted that he had "saved millions and millions of lives" and cited specific examples.
He mentioned the conflict in the Congo, claiming it was "heading for another 10 million" casualties before his intervention. Trump also pointed to tensions between India and Pakistan, stating, "so many different wars we were able to end, in some cases just before they started." He shifted focus to praise Infantino for "setting new records on ticket sales" and expressed confidence that the 2026 World Cup would be "an event the likes of which maybe the world has never seen."
Concluding his remarks, Trump made a sweeping statement about the current state of global affairs, saying, "The world is a safer place now … we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world."
Questions Surrounding the Award's Future
While the moment was celebratory, details about how future recipients of the FIFA Peace Prize will be selected remain unclear. The global football governing body has not publicly disclosed the full selection process for this inaugural award.
Reports indicate that a newly formed FIFA social responsibility committee will be responsible for proposing the process for future awards. This committee is reportedly chaired by Zaw Zaw, a Myanmar business tycoon whose past associations have drawn international controversy. This development suggests that the criteria and transparency for the prize will be a topic of discussion moving forward.
The award ceremony has undoubtedly sparked global conversation, placing the FIFA Peace Prize firmly in the public eye as the football world looks ahead to the 2026 tournament.
