In a move that has captured global attention, former United States President Donald Trump has been named the inaugural recipient of the newly created FIFA Peace Prize. The world football governing body confirmed the award on December 5, 2025, crediting Trump with helping to broker peace in several conflict regions, though some of his claims remain hotly disputed.
Trump's Historic Acceptance and FIFA's New Award
The FIFA Peace Prize was introduced this year as an annual honour to recognise individuals who take "exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace" and, in doing so, unite people across the world. President Trump, in his acceptance speech, declared the accolade to be "truly one of the great honors of my life." He also extended thanks to former First Lady Melania Trump during the ceremony.
According to reports from CNN, Trump highlighted his involvement in brokering various peace agreements during his tenure. He specifically pointed to efforts aimed at easing the long-standing tensions between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan as a key example of his diplomatic work.
Controversy and Disputed Claims
While FIFA's citation applauded Trump for his role in multiple peace processes, the announcement has not been without controversy. The former president has been linked to several agreements between historic rivals, but his direct role in securing ceasefires has been questioned and even disputed by officials from some of the nations involved.
The India-Pakistan conflict, which Trump referenced in his remarks, stands as one of the most contested examples. The process for selecting the winner of the prize was not made public by FIFA. The organisation had announced the award's creation in November but remained tight-lipped about the recipient until the official reveal, despite widespread speculation that it would go to the American leader.
FIFA's Foray into Global Diplomacy
By awarding its first Peace Prize to a figure like Donald Trump, FIFA has positioned itself at the intersection of international sports and global diplomacy. The award is seen as an attempt to leverage football's unparalleled worldwide reach to celebrate and promote figures who foster unity beyond the pitch.
FIFA, or the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, is the global governing body for football. Founded in 1904 and headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, it oversees major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and represents 211 member associations. Beyond organising competitions, FIFA runs development programmes and initiatives that use football as a tool for social change.
This award comes after Trump's White House previously reacted to news of him losing out on the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, which was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado for her democratic advocacy.
