Trump is awarded new peace prize from FIFA, as soccer’s governing body continues embrace of Republican US president.
US President Donald Trump has been given the inaugural FIFA peace prize at the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, an award he accepted while saying “the world is a safer place now”, as reported by the Fox News.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino presented Trump with a medal, trophy and certificate during the ceremony at the Kennedy Centre. Infantino told him the award recognised “actions to promote peace and unity around the world”.
WHAT THE FIFA PEACE PRIZE IS
FIFA says the new peace prize is meant for “individuals who help unite people in peace through commitment and special actions”.
However, the details of the selection process have not been made public. A new “social responsibility” committee chaired by Myanmar businessman Zaw Zaw is expected to design the process for future awards.
Infantino told Trump on stage, “This is your prize, this is your peace prize.” He added: “There is also a beautiful medal for you that you can wear everywhere you want to go.”
“ONE OF THE GREAT HONOURS OF MY LIFE”
Accepting the award, Trump called it “one of the great honours of my life”, Fox News reported. He repeated earlier claims about his record on conflicts, saying he had “saved millions and millions of lives”. He cited the Congo, India–Pakistan tensions and other global disputes, saying: “The world is a safer place now.”
Trump also praised Infantino for record ticket sales and said the 2026 World Cup would be “an event the likes of which maybe the world has never seen”.
FIFA’S CLOSE LINKS WITH TRUMP
As per The Guardian reports the FIFA decision will increase scrutiny of its growing ties with Trump. The organisation has also brought his daughter Ivanka onto the board of a $100m education programme funded partly by 2026 World Cup ticket revenues.
Infantino and Trump have appeared together at international events, including a summit in Egypt earlier this year. Infantino has said football can “carry a message of peace” even when it “cannot solve conflict”.
The 2026 men’s World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, begins on 11 June. It will feature a record 104 matches across 16 host cities, which FIFA says is aimed at helping “unite the world”.
(With inputs from agencies)
