In a historic moment during the 2026 World Cup draw ceremony at Washington’s Kennedy Center, former US President Donald Trump became the inaugural recipient of FIFA’s newly established peace award. The controversial presentation was made by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has cultivated a close relationship with Trump since his return to office earlier this year.\n\nInfantino justified the selection by citing Trump’s \”exceptional and extraordinary\” contributions to global peace and unity initiatives. The football governing body announced the annual recognition in November, describing it as an honor for individuals providing \”hope for future generations.\”\n\nAccepting the award, Trump declared it \”one of the great honors of my life,\\” while making unsubstantiated claims about saving \”millions and millions of lives\” through his actions. The timing proved particularly symbolic given Trump’s repeated expressions of disappointment about never receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, which was awarded instead to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado just last month.\n\nThe ceremony occurred against a backdrop of mounting criticism from human rights organizations and political opponents. Human Rights Watch revealed it had requested transparency regarding nomination procedures, selection criteria, and judging panels but received no response from FIFA. Critics questioned the appropriateness of a sporting organization that claims political neutrality bestowing such an honor on a divisive political figure.\n\nFurther controversy stems from Trump’s recent military actions, including substantial buildup around Venezuela, deadly airstrikes against alleged drug-smuggling operations, and aggressive immigration policies affecting World Cup participant nations Haiti and Iran. The award presentation also took place in the same venue where Trump has positioned himself as chairman in what he describes as a war on \”woke\” culture.\n\nThe event highlighted the complex intersection of international sports diplomacy and global politics, raising questions about the criteria for peace recognition and the appropriate role of sporting organizations in political endorsement.