Washington, DC (December 2025) – U.S. President Donald Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize on Thursday night for his administration’s role in brokering international ceasefires, just hours before the official 2026 World Cup draw.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino personally presented Donald Trump with the trophy, medal, and certificate at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, calling the award a recognition of Trump’s efforts to “end wars and save lives” across multiple global conflicts.
Why Donald Trump Won the First FIFA Peace Prize
- Credited by FIFA with helping secure ceasefires in the Israel-Hamas war and easing India-Pakistan tensions
- Honored for using the global platform of soccer to promote peace
- Award presented in front of world leaders and soccer executives moments before the live 2026 World Cup draw broadcast
“This is truly one of the great honors of my life.” — President Donald Trump, acceptance speech, Dec 5, 2025
Gianni Infantino on Donald Trump: “He Definitely Deserves the Nobel Peace Prize Too”
The day earlier, Infantino posted on Instagram that Donald Trump “definitely” deserved the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize (which ultimately went to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado). The FIFA Peace Prize appears to serve as FIFA’s own tribute after the Nobel snub.
Infantino and Donald Trump have grown increasingly close:
- Joint appearance at Trump’s January 2025 inauguration
- Co-chaired White House Task Force for the 2026 World Cup (hosted by USA, Canada, Mexico)
- Multiple public endorsements of Trump’s foreign policy achievements
Backlash: Critics Slam FIFA for Honoring Donald Trump
Human rights groups immediately criticized the decision:
- Nick McGeehan, FairSquare: “Gianni Infantino’s decision to hitch FIFA to Trump’s MAGA project… is obviously very harmful to the integrity and reputation of the game.”
- Minky Worden, Human Rights Watch: After requesting details on nominees and selection process, FIFA provided none, leading her to conclude “there are no other nominees, there was no judging.”
References & Sources
- CNN – “FIFA awards Donald Trump new ‘peace prize’ ahead of World Cup draw” https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/04/sport/soccer-world-cup-peace-prize-trump-intl
- ESPN – “Infantino presents Trump with inaugural FIFA Peace Prize” https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/42897123
- The Guardian – “Fifa criticised for awarding Donald Trump peace prize on eve of World Cup draw” https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/05/fifa-donald-trump-peace-prize
- Reuters – “Trump says FIFA peace prize one of ‘great honors of my life’” https://www.reuters.com/world/2025-12-05/trump-fifa-peace-prize
With the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup less than seven months away, the surprise honor for Trump has thrust soccer’s governing body deeper into global politics than ever before.
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