Gianni Infantino presents Donald Trump with controversial Fifa Peace Prize during World Cup 2026 draw

Donald Trump has been presented with a new and contentious peace accolade by FIFA during the 2026 World Cup draw ceremony. The award, officially named the FIFA Peace Prize: Football Unites the World, was handed to Trump by FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

The announcement of the prize came unexpectedly in early November, just three weeks after Trump was not selected for the Nobel Peace Prize, which instead went to Venezuelan democracy activist Maria Corina Machado. Previously, Infantino had expressed on Instagram that Trump was deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize following the Israel-Gaza ceasefire, though no formal process or criteria for the FIFA award were disclosed.

The decision took many senior FIFA officials by surprise, as it had not been discussed with the FIFA Council. Infantino stated that the award is meant to honor the extraordinary efforts of individuals who bring people together and inspire hope for future generations. He emphasized that recognizing those who work to resolve conflicts and promote unity is essential in a world increasingly marked by division.

Infantino has openly sought to strengthen ties with Trump, praising him repeatedly and suggesting that the success of the World Cup is linked to good relations with the former U.S. president. Trump, in turn, called Infantino a great leader in sports and a true gentleman.

Questions regarding the awards selection process were raised by Human Rights Watch, including inquiries about the official criteria for evaluation and the identities and qualifications of decision-makers. FIFA has not provided any responses to these inquiries.

Author: Aiden Foster