The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw took on an unexpected political tone as FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented the
inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to United States President Donald Trump. The award ceremony, held at the Kennedy Centre in
Washington, D.C., marked the first edition of the accolade, which FIFA introduced this year to honour individuals who,
in its words, take “exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace” and unite people across the world.
The prize was announced as part of a global broadcast and featured a pre-recorded video montage highlighting world
leaders, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside clips
of Trump discussing diplomacy. The narrator credited Trump for helping “broker ceasefires and promote diplomatic
engagements,” describing his presidency as one defined by attempts to “pursue peace around the world.”
"This is truly one of the great honours of my life. Beyond awards, what matters most is that we saved millions and
millions of lives. The Congo is an example. Over 10 million people were killed, and it was heading for another 10
million very quickly. The fact that we were able to step in and help stop that is something I’m very proud of.
India–Pakistan as well, and so many different conflicts we were able to end, in some cases even before they truly
started," Trump said after receiving the award.
"It was going to be late, but we got them done. And it is such an honour to be with Gianni (Infantino). I’ve known
Gianni for so long. He has done an incredible job, and I have to say, you’ve set new records. Ticket sales, and not to
bring that up now, but it’s a wonderful tribute to you and to the game of football, or as we call it, soccer. The
numbers are beyond anything anyone thought possible, even beyond what Gianni believed could happen," he added.
Trump, who has repeatedly described himself as a “president of peace,” accepted the award with a medal around his neck
beside a gold trophy depicting hands holding up the globe. During his speech, he claimed credit for ending several
global conflicts, including the India-Pakistan and Russia-Ukraine wars, while continuing to position himself as a
candidate deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize. He has even renamed the U.S. Institute of Peace to the Donald J. Trump
United States Institute of Peace in recent weeks.
Infantino, standing beside the trophy bearing Trump’s name, praised the president in emphatic terms.
The award generated immediate conversation across both sporting and political circles. While FIFA emphasised that the
decision was made on behalf of “over 5 billion football fans,” critics questioned the optics of merging global football
ceremonies with political messaging.