Why did Donald Trump receive FIFA’s first-ever peace prize at the 2026 World Cup Draw? Explained

FIFA awarded its first-ever Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump during the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw ceremony held in Washington, D.C., on December 5, 2025. The announcement came as part of a high-profile event attended by global football officials, diplomats, and political leaders.

The honour marks a new initiative by FIFA, which recently introduced the Peace Prize to recognise contributions it believes support peace, unity, and global cooperation through sports.

What Led to the New FIFA Peace Prize?

FIFA recently introduced the Peace Prize to acknowledge individuals whose actions, according to the organisation, contribute to peace-building and global cooperation. This marks a notable expansion of FIFA’s public role beyond football administration, positioning the sport as a bridge for international dialogue.

The 2026 World Cup — jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico — provided the platform for the inaugural presentation of this award.

Why Donald Trump Received the First Award

During the ceremony, FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Trump with a gold medal and a trophy symbolising global unity. As highlighted by the report, Infantino praised Trump as “a leader that cares about the people,” explaining that FIFA chose him for actions which, according to the organisation, aligned with its stated peace objectives.

Trump accepted the award and described it as “one of the great honors of my life.” He also acknowledged the leaders of Canada and Mexico during his remarks at the event.