In a move that has ignited significant debate, former United States President Donald Trump was presented with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize during the draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A Surprise Award at a Global Event
The presentation took place at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, D.C., approximately 30 minutes before the official start of the World Cup draw event on December 6, 2025. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who referred to Trump as a "close friend," personally handed over the trophy, a medal, and a certificate to the former president.
Addressing an audience of around 2,000 people, Infantino stated the award was "in recognition of his exceptional and extraordinary actions to promote peace and unity around the world." He further added, "This is your prize, this is your peace prize. There is also a beautiful medal for you that you can wear everywhere you want to go."
Trump's Acceptance and Mounting Criticism
Upon accepting the honour, Donald Trump declared it was "truly one of the great honours of my life." He went beyond the accolade itself, claiming that his administration had "saved millions and millions of lives" and resolved multiple international conflicts.
However, the award has been met with heavy backlash. Reports from outlets like The Athletic confirm that the FIFA Peace Prize was introduced in November 2025 without the approval of the FIFA Council or its 211-member Congress. The 37-member Council, which includes eight vice presidents, was not involved in creating the award, selecting the winner, or ratifying the process.
Critics have been quick to question the timing and transparency of the award. Many suggest it was created specifically to console Trump after he missed out on the Nobel Peace Prize. The opacity surrounding the selection criteria and the sudden announcement have fueled the controversy.
FIFA's Defence and the Cited Achievements
In defence of the decision, FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised Trump's straightforward approach, saying, "He does what he says. He says what he thinks. He actually says what many people think as well, but maybe don’t dare to say, and that’s why he’s so successful." Infantino expressed surprise at the negative reactions.
According to sources like USA Today, the award honours Trump for his self-proclaimed role as a global peacemaker and his administration's stewardship of the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across North America. FIFA officials and Trump's aides pointed to diplomatic wins, including brokering peace agreements.
This context includes a recent event where Trump hosted Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi for the signing of the Washington Accords, a U.S.-brokered deal aimed at ending decades of conflict in the region.
The presentation of the FIFA Peace Prize to Donald Trump has undoubtedly become one of the most contentious moments in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, raising questions about the intersection of sports, politics, and institutional governance.
