Donald Trump Receives Inaugural FIFA Peace Prize at 2026 World Cup Draw
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw took a political turn as FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump. The ceremony, held at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, D.C., marked the first edition of the award, introduced this year to honour individuals who take “exceptional actions for peace” and unite people globally.
A pre-recorded video montage highlighted world leaders such as India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside clips of Trump discussing diplomacy. FIFA credited him for helping “broker ceasefires and promote diplomatic engagements,” describing his presidency as focused on global peace initiatives.
Trump’s Remarks
Trump accepted the award, donning a medal beside a gold trophy depicting hands holding the globe. In his speech, he claimed credit for ending conflicts, citing Congo, India-Pakistan, and Russia-Ukraine. He said:
“This is one of the great honours of my life. Beyond awards, what matters most is that we saved millions of lives. The Congo is an example… India-Pakistan as well, and many other conflicts we helped resolve before they escalated.”
Trump also praised Infantino, highlighting record-breaking ticket sales and calling it a tribute to the game of football. He continues to portray himself as a candidate deserving the Nobel Peace Prize, recently renaming the U.S. Institute of Peace to the Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace.
Infantino’s Praise and Global Reaction
Standing beside the trophy, Infantino lauded Trump’s peace efforts. The award sparked debate across sporting and political circles. FIFA defended the decision as representing “over 5 billion football fans,” while critics questioned the merging of a global football event with political messaging.
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