FIFA President Gianni Infantino, a close ally of Donald Trump, has announced the creation of the FIFA Peace Prize, annual award that will recognize "individuals who help unite people in peace through unwavering commitment and special actions." The first edition will be presented on December 5 during the World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., an event Trump is expected to attend.
Infantino said the award reflects football's moral duty to promote unity and reconciliation. "In an increasingly unsettled and divided world, it's fundamental to recognise the outstanding contribution of those who work hard to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace," he noted. "Football stands for peace, and on behalf of the entire global football community, this prize will recognize the enormous efforts of those individuals who unite people, bringing hope for future generations."
The announcement comes weeks after Trump was passed over for the Nobe Peace Prize, which went instead to Venezuela opposition leader María Corina Machado. The decision angered Trump allies, with senior White House officials condemning it as “politics over peace.” U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson later pledged to rally world leaders to nominate Trump for next year’s Nobel, declaring, “No one has ever deserved that prize more.”
Infantino's new award follows a series of joint appearances with Trump at high-profile peace-themed events. The pair attended an October 13 summit in Egypt shortly after a Gaza ceasefire, and later Infantino told investors in Riyadh that football should "invest in happiness" and foster global unity.
Formally titled “The FIFA Peace Prize: Football Unites the World,” the award will be presented annually “on behalf of all football-loving people.” Infantino emphasized that while “the sport cannot solve conflict,” it can “carry a message of peace.”
However, the timing of the announcement has sparked debate about the intersection of sport and politics. Critics say FIFA’s close ties to Trump’s administration blur the line between diplomacy and football, particularly as the U.S. prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico.
Trump had earlier announced that the World Cup draw would take place in Washington, D.C., where Infantino told him, “We are uniting the world, Mr. President, uniting the world, here in America.”
Further deepening their link, FIFA recently appointed Ivanka Trump to the board of a $100 million education project partly funded by 2026 World Cup ticket sales.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, featuring a record 104 matches across 16 cities. FIFA hopes the new Peace Prize will reinforce its image as a unifying global force promoting dialogue, hope, and togetherness through sport.
