U.S. President Donald Trump has been named the recipient of the newly created FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World, an award presented by FIFA, soccer’s global governing body.
The inaugural prize was officially presented to President Trump by FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Friday, December 5, 2025, during the official draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
The Creation of a New Accolade
FIFA officially announced the creation of the Peace Prize in November, defining its purpose as recognizing individuals who have taken “exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace” and successfully “united people across the world.” The timing of the award’s creation—just weeks after President Trump was passed over for the Nobel Peace Prize, an honor he had openly campaigned for—has led to significant speculation among diplomatic and media observers.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has cultivated a close relationship with President Trump, praised the President’s role in promoting the spirit of the game and using sport to bring people together. Infantino stated that the award is “fundamental to recognise the outstanding contribution of those who work hard to end conflicts and bring people together.” The prize is intended to be an annual distinction, bestowed on behalf of the global football community.
The World Cup Draw as a Political Platform
President Trump’s appearance and acceptance of the prize made him the central figure at the high-profile World Cup draw, an event that will determine the group stage matchups for the 48 participating teams in the 2026 tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The ceremony served as a political platform for the administration, which has prioritized the World Cup as a centerpiece event for both the second term of President Trump and the country’s upcoming 250th anniversary of independence. The President, who recently became chairman of the Kennedy Center, played a leading role alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The White House has emphasized that America’s current global standing under President Trump makes it the “perfect country” to host the major sporting event.
Despite the celebratory nature of the award, critics and human rights groups have raised questions about the selection process, which reportedly bypassed the traditional input of the FIFA Council. The awarding of the inaugural prize to the US President is seen by many as a powerful symbol of the increasingly blurred lines between global sports diplomacy and politics.
