President Donald Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize on Friday, the first time the international soccer governing body has presented the honor. The award ceremony reportedly took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., during the final draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. FIFA President Gianni Infantino personally presented Trump with the trophy and a commemorative medal.
The trophy was described as featuring golden hands holding a soccer ball, symbolizing unity through sport. A certificate accompanying the award stated that the FIFA Peace Prize would be given annually to individuals who advance peace and unity through leadership and action. Accepting the award, Trump called it “one of the great honors of my life.”
According to FIFA, Trump was selected for what the organization described as efforts to promote peace in several global conflicts. FIFA cited his involvement in ceasefire efforts and diplomatic engagement in regions including the Middle East and Africa. During the ceremony, Infantino praised Trump’s leadership and said football seeks to unite people worldwide in a similar spirit.
The event also highlighted the growing relationship between FIFA leadership and the Trump administration ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Trump previously signed an executive order establishing a White House task force to coordinate preparations for the tournament, which is expected to be one of the largest sporting events ever held in North America.
However, the award generated significant criticism from players, human rights advocates, and some football officials. Critics argued that FIFA should remain politically neutral and questioned whether a sports governing body should issue peace prizes at all. Norway’s football federation called for the prize to be abolished, while Australian player Jackson Irvine said the decision undermined FIFA’s own human rights commitments.
Supporters of Trump and the White House defended the recognition, saying it reflected his administration’s foreign policy achievements and conflict-resolution efforts. Critics countered that several of those claims remain disputed and that FIFA had not clearly explained the prize’s selection process.
The controversy ensured the new award received global attention immediately. Whether the FIFA Peace Prize becomes a respected annual tradition or remains a one-time political flashpoint will likely depend on future recipients and the transparency of the organization’s criteria.
