U.S. President Donald Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize on Friday during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington D.C.
It is an honour FIFA President Gianni Infantino said recognised Trump’s role in preventing global conflict and supporting the expansion of world football.
The ceremony, featuring a large trophy and commemorative medal, immediately prompted debate over whether FIFA was drifting too close to global politics.
Trump, speaking moments after receiving the award, described it as one of the great honours of my life, claiming credit for diffusing international crises during his presidency.
We saved millions of lives, the Congo as an example, 10 million died, they were heading for 10 million very quickly, he said.
Also with India and Pakistan, we stopped wars happening just before they started, he added.
He went on to praise Infantino’s leadership of world football, noting record ticket sales for the 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
You have set new records on ticket sales, it is beyond the numbers we thought were possible, Trump added.
Trump also declared: The world is a safer place now. The USA was not doing well a year ago, now we are the hottest country in the world right now.”
However, the award quickly sparked questions about FIFA’s independence from political leaders.
On The Global Story podcast, the BBC’s sports editor Dan Roan discussed Infantino’s long-standing personal rapport with Trump, dating back to their parallel elections in 2016.
He noted that the Peace Prize, created and bestowed by FIFA, risks blurring the boundaries between football governance and geopolitical influence.
While Infantino praised Trump’s global impact, critics argue that FIFA should avoid actions that appear to legitimise political narratives or align the organisation with specific world leaders.
