During the 2026 FIFA World Cup final draw on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., FIFA awarded U.S. President Donald Trump its first-ever Peace Prize. The honor, presented by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, recognized Trump's efforts in promoting global peace and unity through football. The ceremony sparked widespread controversy and online reactions.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final draw took place on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., drawing an audience of around 2,000. Amid the event, FIFA introduced and awarded its inaugural Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump. FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Trump with a golden trophy, a medal, and a certificate, declaring, "This is your prize, this is your peace prize."
Infantino praised Trump as a "dynamic leader who has engaged in diplomatic efforts that created opportunities for dialogue, de-escalation and stability, and who has championed the unifying power of football on the world stage." The award was described in FIFA's news release as an annual honor for individuals who unite people in peace. However, the selection process remained opaque; FIFA's Council and Congress were not consulted, and the organization declined to detail criteria or nominees when questioned by journalists and groups like Human Rights Watch.
In his acceptance speech, Trump called the award "one of the great honors of my life" and claimed, "we saved millions and millions of lives," citing efforts to end conflicts in regions like the Congo and between India and Pakistan. He also reiterated settling "eight wars." The following day, on Truth Social, Trump defended the prize against critics, writing, "Stop saying my FIFA Peace Prize is a participation trophy. I earned it by working 26 hours a day, 8 days a week, to bring peace to warring nations in FIFA territory. They told me, 'Sir, no other president in history has done what I have done for the people of FIFA.'"
The ceremony featured Trump alongside Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, co-hosts of the 2026 tournament. They participated in a symbolic group draw, though groups were predetermined.
Reactions were sharply divided. Critics, including Football Supporters Europe, labeled it an "ego-stroking stunt," arguing FIFA should remain neutral in politics. Human Rights Watch's Minky Worden noted the lack of process, saying, "You could infer that there is no process, there are no other nominees, there was no judging." Trump's record, including support for military actions and disputed peace claims like the Abraham Accords, drew scrutiny.
A viral CNN clip of 23-year-old commentator Adam Mockler criticizing the event garnered over 1 million views. Mockler said, "Our president is an actual child, and other countries are treating him like a child while giving him gifts to placate him for policy. This should scare everybody who cares about the Constitution." Online praise highlighted Mockler's candor, with one user writing, "23 year old kid, and has a stronger spine than every single GOP politician, pundit, and voter."
Infantino emphasized the award's importance, stating, "It is absolutely crucial for the success of a World Cup to have a close relationship with the president." The event underscored the intersection of sports and geopolitics ahead of the 2026 tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
