FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented U.S. President Donald Trump with the organization's first Peace Prize during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, D.C. The award, created shortly after Trump's Nobel loss, recognizes his efforts toward global peace and unity through football. The ceremony drew widespread mockery and criticism for its timing and perceived lack of transparency.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Official Draw took place on December 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Amid the event, which determined the tournament's group stage for the multi-nation hosting by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded Donald Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. The prize, announced in early November, includes a trophy featuring golden hands holding a soccer ball, a certificate, and a medal. Trump accepted the honor, stating, "This is truly one of the great honors of my life."
Infantino described Trump as a "close friend" and praised his "unwavering commitment to advancing peace and unity throughout the world through his notable leadership and action." According to FIFA's website, the award honors individuals who unite people globally in peace, with Infantino noting it was presented on behalf of over five billion soccer fans. Trump has claimed the recognition aligns with his foreign policy, asserting he has "ended eight wars in less than a year" and championed football's unifying power.
The prize's creation followed Trump's October disappointment when the Nobel Peace Prize went to Venezuelan activist Maria Corina Machado. Critics, including Human Rights Watch, questioned its legitimacy due to no public criteria, candidates, or FIFA Council discussion. Former FIFA executives accused Infantino of violating the organization's political neutrality rules.
The event sparked satire, with ABC's "The View" hosts, led by Ana Navarro, distributing fake gold medals on air. Navarro quipped, "If you show up with a tchotchke, preferably covered in gold, and give it to the three-year-old in the Oval Office, he will be entertained and he will be happy." California Gov. Gavin Newsom posted a Photoshopped image of receiving a "Kohl’s Peace Prize" from Infantino. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle defended the award, calling Trump the most deserving recipient and dismissing critics as suffering from "Trump Derangement Syndrome."
Fans and commentators labeled the gesture "pathetic" and "beyond parody," highlighting FIFA's history of overlooking human rights issues in hosting decisions, such as Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid.
