FIFA Awards Trump Its 1st-Ever Peace Prize During World Cup Draw/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ FIFA awarded President Donald Trump its first-ever Peace Prize during the 2026 World Cup draw, recognizing his efforts to promote global unity. FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised Trump’s diplomatic actions, including his role in brokering ceasefires. The unprecedented award comes as Trump faces scrutiny over recent military actions and intensified immigration policies.
Quick Look:
- FIFA awarded President Donald Trump its first-ever Peace Prize on Friday.
- The prize was presented during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, D.C.
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised Trump for “promoting peace and unity.”
- The award marks a rare political move for FIFA, traditionally focused on sport.
- Trump has long campaigned for a Nobel Peace Prize, which he has not received.
- The prize comes as Trump faces criticism for recent military actions and immigration rhetoric.
- Trump called the recognition “one of the great honors of my life.”
FIFA Surprises World with Peace Prize for President Trump at World Cup Draw
Deep Look
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a striking shift from tradition, FIFA awarded U.S. President Donald Trump its first-ever Peace Prize on Friday during the draw for the 2026 World Cup, a tournament jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The announcement gave an unexpected political dimension to an event usually centered on football matchups and global fanfare. Trump, wearing a gold medal and smiling broadly, accepted a gold trophy from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
“This is truly one of the great honors of my life,” Trump said, thanking his family, including First Lady Melania Trump, and applauding the leaders of Canada and Mexico for “a unified vision for peace.”
Infantino, a known ally of Trump, praised the president’s efforts to promote peace, particularly citing his role in brokering a ceasefire in Gaza earlier this year.
“This is what we want from a leader — a leader that cares about the people,” Infantino said. “This is your peace prize.”
A New Direction for FIFA
The award marked a significant departure for FIFA, a sports federation that rarely engages in global politics at this level. According to a statement from the organization, the FIFA Peace Prize recognizes “individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and, by doing so, have united people across the world.”
While FIFA has often described soccer as a vehicle for global unity, this is the first time it has formalized a peace award — and the first time it has honored a sitting head of state in this way.
Critics and supporters alike viewed the gesture as aligning FIFA more closely with political narratives — particularly as Trump continues to push for recognition on the global diplomatic stage.
Trump’s Long-Standing Campaign for Recognition
Trump has been vocal for years about his desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize, often referencing his role in normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab nations under the Abraham Accords.
Though he was passed over for the 2025 Nobel — which went instead to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado — her comments after receiving the prize only added fuel to the fire. She publicly credited Trump for his “decisive support” of Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement.
The FIFA award, though symbolic, is likely to bolster Trump’s own narrative as a global peacemaker, especially as he campaigns for reelection in 2026.
Mixed Timing and Controversy
The award also arrives during a turbulent week for Trump’s administration. U.S. forces launched lethal strikes on suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean, drawing international scrutiny. Meanwhile, Trump’s hardline immigration rhetoric and expanded travel bans have reignited fierce debate across Washington and global capitals.
Despite the criticism, the optics of Friday’s event provided a powerful moment for Trump, who stood beside Infantino as a crowd of dignitaries and FIFA officials applauded.
Infantino emphasized that the award had nothing to do with politics but was rooted in Trump’s “actions to prevent conflict and build unity.”
“This is about more than football,” Infantino said. “It’s about peace, diplomacy, and leadership.”
Looking Ahead: FIFA, Politics, and Global Sport
With the 2026 World Cup approaching — expected to be the biggest in history — the intersection of sport and politics will likely continue to draw attention. Some soccer purists have criticized FIFA’s increased engagement with global leaders, saying it detracts from the game itself.
Others, however, argue that if soccer is to be a global unifier, it must acknowledge the political realities of the world stage.
Trump’s receipt of the prize will likely spark debate in the coming weeks, both among international leaders and within the soccer world itself.
Whether or not the FIFA Peace Prize becomes a recurring tradition, its first-ever recipient has ensured the award’s debut will be anything but forgettable.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.