Fifa awards first-ever Peace Prize to Trump during World Cup draw ceremony

Donald Trump was awarded the Fifa Peace Prize on Friday

US President Donald Trump received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize at the 2026 World Cup draw on Friday.

This is an award that was created this year by the global football body. The presentation, made moments before teams were assigned their tournament groups, added a strikingly Trump-centric moment to what is usually a purely sporting ceremony.

Trump, who has long expressed his desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize, had been widely regarded as the favourite for FIFA’s newest honour.

His close relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza, only strengthened the expectations for the US President to get the inaugural award.

The certificate presented to Trump commends him for actions taken “to promote peace and unity around the world.”

Infantino, while speaking as he placed a gold medal around Trump’s neck and handed him a trophy featuring a globe upheld by two hands, praised the American leader’s global role. “This is what we want from a leader – a leader that cares about the people,” he said, before telling Trump, “This is your prize, this is your peace prize.”

In his brief address, Trump acknowledged his family, including First Lady Melania Trump, and thanked the leaders of Canada and Mexico, who are the co-hosts of the tournament, Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Claudia Sheinbaum. “This is truly one of the great honours of my life,” Trump said.

FIFA, which often describes football as a force for unity, has typically kept its awards aligned with sporting contributions.

The new Peace Prize marks a notable shift. According to the federation, it recognises “individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world.”

The timing of the honour has drawn attention, coming in a week when Trump’s administration has faced scrutiny over deadly strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean while simultaneously intensifying its rhetoric on immigration.

This year’s Nobel Peace Prize, meanwhile, went to Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado, who dedicated the award in part to Trump, citing “his decisive support of our cause.”