In a ceremony blending sports diplomacy with political theater, former U.S. President Donald Trump became the inaugural recipient of the FIFA Peace Prize during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington D.C. The newly established award, presented by FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the Kennedy Center, recognizes individuals who have undertaken “exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace” and united people globally.
The event, staged just one mile from the White House, featured Trump receiving an elaborate golden trophy, medal, and certificate before delivering an acceptance speech. “This is truly one of the great honours of my life,” Trump declared, claiming he had saved “tens of millions of lives” through diplomatic interventions and prevented imminent wars. He further praised Infantino’s leadership while celebrating record-breaking ticket sales for the 2026 tournament.
The geopolitical undertones intensified as Trump shared the stage with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney—representing the three host nations. The leaders participated in the ceremonial draw, selecting balls for their pre-assigned groups before posing for a symbolic selfie with Infantino.
Trump humorously addressed the transatlantic naming controversy surrounding the sport, suggesting American football might need rebranding: “We have to find another name for the NFL. This is football, we call it soccer here in the USA but it is really football.”
The award has sparked considerable controversy, with critics arguing it compromises FIFA’s statutory commitment to political neutrality. Infantino had previously suggested Trump deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for mediating Middle East ceasefires, creating perceptions of alignment with the “Make America Great Again” movement. A senior FIFA official defended the award, asking reporters: “Why can’t this be bigger than the Nobel Peace Prize?”
The 2026 World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19 across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with Mexico opening the tournament in Group A against yet-to-be-drawn opponents.