In a move that has sparked immediate and fierce debate, former United States President Donald Trump was presented with the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize during Friday's World Cup draw ceremony in Washington DC.
A Controversial Honour
The award, bestowed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, recognises individuals for their "exceptional contributions to peace and unity". The presentation cements a notable alliance between the football chief and the American political figure. Trump accepted the prize on Friday 05 December 2025, calling it "truly one of the great honours of my life".
However, the decision proved highly contentious. Ahead of the ceremony, a coalition of human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, implored FIFA not to grant the award to Trump. They argued that bestowing the prize "against a backdrop of escalating attacks on human rights and civil freedoms" risked politicising the 2026 World Cup.
Reactions and Rationale
Infantino has previously lauded Trump's involvement in Middle East peace talks. The US administration is also engaged in efforts to resolve the conflict following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. At the draw, Trump praised Infantino for strong early ticket sales, suggesting the upcoming tournament co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico could be an event "the likes of which maybe the world has never seen".
Yet, the award comes amidst a series of recent controversies linked to Trump:
- Questions over his administration's conduct regarding a September attack on a Venezuelan boat in the Caribbean Sea.
- A threat last month, made in front of Infantino, to launch strikes on Mexican territory if it failed to stop drug trafficking into the US.
- Comments earlier this week describing Somali immigrants to the US as "garbage".
Political Undertones and Future Implications
In his acceptance speech, Trump thanked co-hosts Canada and Mexico before taking a pointed jab at his predecessor, President Joe Biden. "The world is a safer place now," he stated. "The United States, one year ago, was not doing too well, and now I have to say we're the hottest country anywhere in the world."
The unprecedented award places FIFA's flagship peace accolade firmly in the global political spotlight, raising significant questions about the intersection of sport, diplomacy, and human rights advocacy as the 2026 World Cup approaches.
