FIFA president Gianni Infantino has announced a new annual peace prize, with the inaugural award set for Washington next month. The move follows Infantino's praise for Donald Trump at a recent Gaza peace summit. Critics urge FIFA to focus on addressing high ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup instead of geopolitical initiatives.
FIFA's decision to introduce an annual peace prize has drawn attention, particularly after president Gianni Infantino's interactions with US president Donald Trump. Last month, at the Gaza peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Infantino congratulated Trump and stated: “Now we can really write some new pages. Pages of togetherness, of peace, in a region which really, really needs it.” He described Trump as a “winner” and “close friend,” adding at an American business forum: “We should all support what [Mr Trump is] doing because I think it’s looking good.” The inaugural award is scheduled for Washington in December 2025.
However, the announcement has sparked bemusement and calls for Infantino to prioritize FIFA's core responsibilities. Sports commentator Leander Schaerlaeckens accused the organization of focusing on monetizing soccer at the expense of other aspects. This criticism intensifies ahead of the 2026 men's World Cup, hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico with an expanded 48 teams—the largest ever. Infantino described it as “the biggest, best and most inclusive World Cup ever,” but fans face steep prices due to dynamic pricing. Group stage tickets are scarce, and resale values have soared, with a $2,030 final ticket relisted for $25,000 the next day. Unlike previous tournaments, no tickets are reserved for local residents, and FIFA takes a cut from resales without a cap.
New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, an Arsenal supporter, launched a “Game over greed” petition condemning the strategy as an “affront to the game.” Under Infantino, FIFA has aligned with nations like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the latter awarded the 2034 World Cup, while expanding events like the Club World Cup, further crowding the calendar.