News Desk: In a move that has triggered global disbelief and heated debate, FIFA on Thursday awarded former U.S. President Donald Trump a freshly created peace prize during the 2026 World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino personally handed over the honour — grandly titled “FIFA Peace Prize: Football Unites the World” — and hailed Trump for what he described as efforts to promote international harmony.
“You can always count, Mr President, on my support and the entire football community to help you make peace all over the world,” Infantino said as Trump stepped up to receive the award, smiling broadly.
PEACE PRESIDENT. 🕊️@FIFAWorldCup President Gianni Infantino awards President Donald J. Trump the inaugural 2025 FIFA Peace Prize, dedicated to an individual who achieved exceptional and extraordinary action to promote peace and unity around the world. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/mfKKDb9w59
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 5, 2025
A Prize Created Overnight?
The award itself was introduced quietly in early November — just weeks after Trump failed to win the Nobel Peace Prize, a recognition he had long hinted he deserved. The Nobel Committee had instead chosen Venezuelan democracy activist María Corina Machado.
Infantino had openly supported Trump’s Nobel ambitions, even posting on Instagram after the Israel–Gaza ceasefire that Trump “deserved to win the Nobel Peace Prize.”
Yet inside FIFA, officials were blindsided. Several senior members told reporters the peace award was never discussed with the FIFA Council, raising questions about how it materialised, who proposed it, and what standards were applied.
FIFA has so far offered no explanation.
Infantino–Trump Bonhomie on Display
Infantino framed the new honour as recognising “individuals who unite people and bring hope for future generations,” particularly those “working to end conflicts.”
Trump, visibly pleased, called the honour “one of the great privileges of my life.”
The ceremony also put on full display the deepening ties between Infantino and Trump, with the FIFA chief increasingly courting Washington ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Trump, from the stage, returned the praise, lauding Infantino’s leadership and celebrating record ticket sales.
Human Rights Watch Demands Transparency
The award quickly sparked criticism. Human Rights Watch has sent a formal letter to FIFA demanding clarity on:
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What criteria are used to evaluate nominees for the FIFA Peace Prize
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Who sits on the judging panel and what their qualifications are
So far, FIFA has not offered any public response — leaving the football world with more questions than answers.
