In a spectacle that veered from the perplexing to the outright sycophantic, the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was upstaged by the presentation of a new, and highly controversial, award to former US President Donald Trump.
A Prize of His Own Making
The ceremony, held at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC, took a surreal turn when FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. Barely 24 hours after Trump's name was added to the US Institute of Peace, Infantino presented the award, citing Trump's 'extraordinary actions to promote peace and unity throughout the world'. The move was widely seen as a direct response to Trump's previous, unsuccessful lobbying for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Accepting a trophy larger than the World Cup itself, Trump called it one of the 'great honours of my life'. He wore the accompanying medal around his neck as he claimed his global interventions had saved 'millions and millions of lives'. The display of flattery was so intense it left sections of the audience visibly uncomfortable.
An Awkward and Confusing Spectacle
The event itself often fell flat. Presenters including comedian Kevin Hart and model Heidi Klum demonstrated little knowledge of football, repeatedly referring to the sport as 'soccer'. While former England defender Rio Ferdinand was present for expertise, his attempts at banter failed to land. The entertainment was a mixed bag, from Andrea Bocelli's impressive 'Nessun Dorma' to a less stellar performance of the official anthem.
Amid concerns about soaring ticket prices, Infantino's hyperbole reached new heights, declaring the 2026 tournament would be 'the greatest event that mankind has ever seen, and will ever see' and labelling FIFA the 'official happiness provider for humanity'. In a rare moment of clarity, Trump even suggested America should rename 'American football' because 'it doesn't really make sense'.
The Football Amid the Fanfare
When the draw finally proceeded, it placed England in a favourable-looking Group L with Croatia, Panama, and Ghana. Scotland, qualifying for the first time since 1998, will face Brazil, Haiti, and Morocco in Group C. The expanded 48-team tournament has allowed debutants like Curaçao and Uzbekistan to qualify.
The ceremony closed with a final nod to its guest of honour, as the Village People performed 'YMCA' – a staple of Trump's campaign rallies. While FIFA hopes the 2026 World Cup will be the greatest show on earth, if the draw is any indication, it will certainly be a spectacle of unparalleled peculiarity.
