United States President Donald Trump has been awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, a new honour created by the world football body to recognise individuals who have made “exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace.”
The award was presented on Friday at the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. during a ceremony led by Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president.
Trump received a gold trophy shaped like hands supporting the globe, a medal, and a certificate acknowledging his purported contributions to global peace.
In his acceptance speech, Trump described the honour as one of the greatest of his life. He claimed that his diplomatic efforts, including interventions in global conflicts, had saved millions of lives and prevented wars from erupting.
While FIFA framed the prize as a celebration of unity through sport, the decision has drawn intense scrutiny.
Critics, including human rights organizations, argue that by honouring Trump, FIFA risks politicizing a global sports event and undermining its commitment to neutrality.
