In an unexpected turn at the 2026 World Cup draw, former President Donald Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize last Friday. This new honor, marking a significant departure from the federation’s usual focus on sports, added a distinctly political moment to the global soccer event.
Trump, who has long expressed interest in the Nobel Peace Prize, was a strong favorite for FIFA’s new accolade. His close relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino played a key role. Infantino has openly championed Trump, even suggesting he deserved the Nobel for his efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza.
During the ceremony, Infantino presented Trump with a certificate recognizing his actions to “promote peace and unity around the world.” Trump, sporting a gold medal and holding a golden trophy depicting hands cradling the globe, expressed his gratitude. “This is truly one of the great honors of my life,” he stated, thanking his family and the leaders of the co-host nations, Canada’s Mark Carney and Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum.
Infantino lauded Trump as “a leader that cares about the people,” emphasizing the federation’s new prize aims to reward “individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world.” While FIFA often speaks of soccer as a unifier, this award broadens its scope considerably. The prize comes amidst a week where the Trump administration faced scrutiny for recent actions, and as the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who partly dedicated her prize to Trump.
