FIFA Launches Peace Award Amid Expectations of Trump Winning

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has announced the launch of the "FIFA Peace Award – Football Unites the World," a new annual award that will be presented for the first time on December 5 during the draw ceremony for the 2026 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C.

FIFA stated that the award aims to honor “individuals who have undertaken extraordinary actions for peace and contributed to uniting people through football.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino explained, “The world is becoming increasingly divided, and it is necessary to acknowledge efforts that bring people together in a spirit of peace.”

FIFA has not yet revealed the nomination process, the selection criteria, or whether the award will be financial or symbolic. This has led to questions about transparency. 

When Infantino was asked at a press conference about the possibility of Donald Trump winning the award, he simply responded:

“On December 5… you will see.”

The comment sparked a wave of speculation about whether the award could be given to the former U.S. president, who recently failed to secure the Nobel Peace Prize.

Trump and Infantino share a close relationship dating back several years, strengthened during preparations for the 2026 World Cup. 

Last August, the two appeared together in Washington during the announcement of the tournament draw event, where Infantino described Trump as “a great friend of football.”

In 2018, during a visit to the White House, Infantino presented Trump with a personalized jersey and symbolic yellow and red cards.

Their relationship was further reinforced by Ivanka Trump’s recent appointment to the board of an educational project supported by FIFA worth $100 million, partially funded by ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup.

The draw ceremony, which will also see the presentation of the inaugural Peace Award, is expected to attract around one billion viewers worldwide, amid global anticipation over who will be named the first recipient of the “FIFA Peace Award.”