FIFA awarded President Donald Trump its inaugural Peace Prize in December 2025 during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, D.C.. The award was created specifically to honor individuals who take "exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace" and unite people globally, marking a significant departure from FIFA's traditional focus on sporting achievements.

The Ceremony

FIFA President Gianni Infantino personally presented Trump with the award at the Kennedy Center for the Arts, which included a gold trophy with Trump's name depicting hands lifting a globe, a certificate, and a medal that Trump immediately wore around his neck. Infantino told Trump, "This is your prize, this is your peace prize," describing it as "a beautiful medal for you that you can wear everywhere you want to go".

Reasons Behind the Award

The certificate recognized Trump for his actions to "promote peace and unity around the world". FIFA highlighted several justifications for the award:

  • Trump's diplomatic efforts related to Gaza ceasefire negotiations
  • His involvement in the Abraham Accords, which established formal relations between Israel and several Arab nations
  • His participation in resolving the conflict in eastern Congo, where he signed an agreement with leaders from the Democratic Republic of Congo
  • His administration's ongoing diplomatic work on the Ukraine conflict

In his acceptance speech, Trump claimed "we saved millions and millions of lives" and stated "the world is a safer place now".

The FIFA-Trump Alliance

Infantino and Trump have developed a close relationship, particularly as the United States prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico. Their alliance includes:

  • Infantino openly expressing that Trump deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for his Gaza ceasefire efforts
  • FIFA leasing office space in Trump Tower in New York, just two years after opening a North American hub in Miami
  • The two leaders appearing together at various summits and events unrelated to soccer

Infantino has frequently emphasized football as a means of bringing the world together, telling Trump during the ceremony, "This is what we want from a leader, someone who cares about the people".

Controversy and Criticism

The award sparked significant debate and scrutiny worldwide. Human Rights Watch reached out to FIFA for clarification on the criteria, nominees, and decision-makers but received no response. Minky Worden, director at Human Rights Watch, stated at a press conference: "You could infer that there is no process, there are no nominees, there was no judging".

FIFA never announced nominees for the award and did not reveal how or by whom the winner was chosen. The award was notably not endorsed by FIFA's governing body, the FIFA Council, raising questions about FIFA's neutrality in political matters.

Critics described the award as a way to curry favor with Trump and obscure his disputed record on global conflicts, including his support for Israel, deadly strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean, and human rights concerns. Some observers suggested the award was designed to placate Trump and avoid potential complications for the 2026 World Cup.

TLDR: FIFA gave Trump its inaugural Peace Prize in December 2025, citing his diplomatic efforts on Gaza, the Abraham Accords, and Congo conflict resolution. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Trump have a close alliance ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The award sparked controversy because FIFA never revealed the selection process, didn't announce other nominees, and critics questioned whether it was created simply to win Trump's favor. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.