FIFA Introduces New Peace Prize to Honor Donald Trump at 2026 World Cup Draw

On December 5, President Donald Trump was honored with FIFA's first-ever Peace Award. The ceremony coincided with the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw, held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., alongside Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

The trio of North American nationsUnited States, Mexico, and Canadawill jointly host the tournament next year, with matches scheduled across 16 cities. The event highlighted Trump's efforts to position himself as a "peace president," following the recent renaming of the U.S. Institute of Peace after him on December 3.

During the World Cup Draw, Trump helped determine team matchups for the tournaments round-robin stage. Ahead of the draw, FIFA awarded him the newly created Peace Prize, marking the first time such an honor has been given. The event featured performances by artists favored by Trump, including Andrea Bocelli and the Village People.

Andrew Giuliani, executive director of Trumps White House Task Force on the 2026 World Cup, praised the president, stating, The president is the consummate host. Is there any other leader who can welcome the world and host it better than Donald J. Trump? FIFA President Gianni Infantino also lauded Trumps contributions, saying, You deserve the first FIFA Peace Prize for your achievements, accomplished in an extraordinary way. You can count on the support of the entire soccer community to foster peace and global prosperity.

The award follows some controversy earlier this year, when Trump was accused of retaining a FIFA Club World Cup medal and trophy meant for the winning team, Chelsea. Trump explained in an interview that FIFA allowed him to keep the trophy temporarily in the Oval Office, with Infantino later agreeing it could remain there indefinitely.

The tournament has faced scrutiny due to U.S. immigration policies under Trumps administration, raising concerns about the accessibility of the event for international fans, players, and staff. In June, Minky Worden of Human Rights Watch urged FIFA to address these issues, while in July, 90 civil society groups signed an open letter requesting FIFA to ensure the rights of all visitors and participants are respected.

Throughout his second term, Trump has promoted himself as a peacemaker, claiming to have resolved multiple conflicts. Though he sought the Nobel Peace Prize this year, it was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Mara Corina Machado instead.

Shortly before the World Cup Draw, the U.S. Institute of Peace was officially renamed the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, commemorating Trump as a major dealmaker in U.S. history. A State Department statement celebrated the change, declaring, Welcome to the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace. The best is yet to come.

Author: Harper Simmons