FIFA Awards Trump with Inaugural Peace Prize Amid 2026 World Cup Draw

In a ceremony that intertwined sports and diplomacy, FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald J. Trump during the 2026 World Cup draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on December 5, 2025.

The FIFA Peace Prize, introduced in November 2025, aims to recognize individuals who have undertaken exceptional actions to promote peace and unity worldwide. President Trump was honored for his involvement in brokering a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitating a peace treaty between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

During the award presentation, Infantino praised Trump's efforts, stating, "This is what we want from a leader—a leader that cares about the people." He presented Trump with a gold trophy depicting hands holding up the world, symbolizing global unity.

In his acceptance speech, President Trump expressed gratitude, calling the award "one of the great honors of my life." He acknowledged his family, including First Lady Melania Trump, and commended the leaders of the co-host nations—Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum—for their collaboration in organizing the upcoming World Cup.

The introduction of the FIFA Peace Prize marks a departure from FIFA's traditional focus on sports, reflecting the organization's commitment to recognizing contributions to global peace. The award is set to be presented annually to individuals who have significantly advanced peace and unity.

The ceremony also featured the draw for the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The draw determined the group-stage matchups, with host nations pre-assigned to specific groups:

• Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, and a UEFA Playoff D winner.
• Group B: Canada, a UEFA Playoff A winner, Qatar, and Switzerland.
• Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, and a UEFA Playoff C winner.

Other notable groupings include: - Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. - Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ecuador. - Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, and a FIFA Playoff 2 winner.

The draw also included placeholders for teams yet to qualify through upcoming playoff matches, such as the UEFA and FIFA playoffs scheduled for March 2026.

The awarding of the FIFA Peace Prize to President Trump has elicited varied reactions. Supporters commend FIFA's recognition of political efforts toward peace, while critics question the appropriateness of intertwining sports with political accolades. The decision underscores FIFA's evolving role in global affairs and its willingness to acknowledge contributions beyond the realm of sports.

As the world anticipates the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the tournament stands as a testament to international cooperation and the unifying power of sports. The introduction of the FIFA Peace Prize adds a new dimension to FIFA's mission, highlighting the organization's commitment to promoting peace and unity on a global scale.