In an unexpected moment during the 2026 World Cup draw, FIFA stepped outside its traditional sporting lane and awarded former U.S. President Donald Trump the newly established FIFA Peace Prize. The announcement added an unconventional twist to an event typically focused solely on tournament matchups and global football culture.
Trump, who has long expressed interest in global peace recognition and has previously voiced his ambition for the Nobel Peace Prize, was widely anticipated to receive the inaugural honor. His close rapport with FIFA President Gianni Infantino played a visible role in the ceremony’s tone, with Infantino openly praising Trump’s involvement in international negotiations — particularly his attempt to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza.
“This is your prize, this is your peace prize,” Infantino declared as he presented the award, emphasizing his belief that football has the power to unite people worldwide. Yet, the decision also marks a bold departure from FIFA’s historical avoidance of political symbolism.
Speaking to reporters at the Kennedy Centre, Trump said he had not been informed beforehand whether he would be selected. “I don’t need prizes. I just want to save lives,” he remarked, framing the award as secondary to what he described as ongoing peace efforts.
FIFA stated that this new prize recognizes “individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and, by doing so, have united people across the world.”
The award also arrives at a politically tense moment. The Trump administration is currently facing global scrutiny over recent deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean, alongside intensifying rhetoric surrounding U.S. immigration policies.
Meanwhile, this year’s Nobel Peace Prize went to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. After receiving the award, she dedicated part of the honor to Trump, citing “his decisive support of our cause,” adding another layer of diplomatic complexity to the week’s events.
In a world increasingly shaped by sharp divides, this moment underscores how global platforms — even those rooted in sport — continue to interact with political power, influence, and the ongoing search for peace.
