FIFA President Gianni Infantino has publicly defended his contentious decision to present a peace prize to United States President Donald Trump, while simultaneously dismissing growing calls for a boycott of the upcoming FIFA World Cup tournament. The controversy emerged following the award ceremony during the 2026 World Cup draw event held in Washington DC last December, which has since sparked widespread international criticism and debate.
Infantino's Justification for the Trump Peace Prize
In an exclusive interview with Sky News on Monday, February 2, Infantino firmly stood by his choice to honor President Trump with FIFA's inaugural peace prize. He articulated that the recognition was objectively deserved, emphasizing FIFA's commitment to promoting global peace through football diplomacy. "Objectively, he deserves it," Infantino stated unequivocally. "Whatever we can do to help peace in the world, we should be doing it. For some time, we have been thinking about rewarding people who contribute in this direction."
The FIFA president's remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of US foreign policy actions and renewed controversy surrounding Trump's statements on international security matters. Infantino's defense highlights the organization's strategic approach to leveraging football as a tool for bridging political divides, even as critics question the appropriateness of the award given current geopolitical tensions.
Addressing World Cup Boycott Concerns
Infantino also directly addressed mounting suggestions that this year's World Cup, scheduled to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, could face international boycotts due to policies of the Trump administration. He robustly rejected these calls, arguing that political disagreements have historically not led to commercial boycotts of nations, and questioned why football should be treated differently.
"In our divided and aggressive world, we need occasions where people can come together and meet around a shared passion," Infantino asserted. He maintained that football should serve as a unifying force rather than a political battleground, particularly referencing ongoing unrest in some US cities related to immigration enforcement. His position underscores FIFA's official stance of keeping sports separate from political controversies, though this approach continues to draw mixed reactions from global football communities.
Discussions on Russia's Potential Return to International Football
In a significant development, the FIFA president revealed that formal discussions would be necessary regarding Russia's potential return to international football competitions. Russia has been under a comprehensive ban since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but recent recommendations from the International Olympic Committee have encouraged sports federations to permit Russian teams to compete at youth levels.
"We have to look at readmitting Russia. Definitely," Infantino declared. "This ban has not achieved anything. It has only created more frustration and hatred. Allowing girls and boys from Russia to play football in other parts of Europe would help."
This statement signals a potential shift in FIFA's policy, aligning with broader sports diplomacy trends that seek to reintegrate Russian athletes under specific conditions. The move is likely to generate further debate within international sports governance circles, balancing ethical considerations against the principle of sports inclusivity.
Infantino's comprehensive interview reflects FIFA's ongoing navigation of complex geopolitical landscapes through football diplomacy, even as these decisions attract both support and condemnation from various stakeholders worldwide.
