In a move that’s turning heads far beyond the world of sports, FIFA, the global governing body for soccer, has unveiled a new annual peace prize, promising to honor those who have made “exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace.” The announcement, made in early November 2025, has stirred up a whirlwind of speculation, political intrigue, and a fair bit of head-scratching, especially as the world gears up for the 2026 World Cup jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
According to the Baltimore Sun and News18, FIFA’s new award is not restricted to the sporting world. Instead, it aims to recognize individuals from any walk of life who have made remarkable efforts to foster peace and unity. The organization said the prize is intended to reward “individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world.”
The announcement came on November 6, 2025, a date that coincided with a high-profile business leaders conference in Miami. Both FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump were in attendance, each delivering speeches. Their joint appearance was more than a coincidence; it was a public display of the close alliance they’ve developed in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup, a tournament that will span 16 cities across North America next summer.
But why is FIFA, an organization best known for orchestrating the world’s most watched sporting event, suddenly stepping into the peace prize arena? And, perhaps more pointedly, is this new award really about peace—or is there something more political at play?
Speculation has run rampant that President Trump is a frontrunner for the inaugural FIFA peace prize. Trump has made no secret of his desire to win a Nobel Peace Prize, openly campaigning for the honor in the past, but so far, those efforts have come up short. Instead, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize went to María Corina Machado, a pro-democracy activist from Venezuela. Gianni Infantino, for his part, has not shied away from expressing admiration for Trump’s efforts. On October 9, 2025, just one day before the Nobel announcement, Infantino posted on Instagram that Trump “definitely deserves” the Nobel Peace Prize for his attempts to broker a peace deal in Gaza.
When asked directly in Miami whether Trump would be the recipient of FIFA’s new prize, Infantino reportedly laughed and replied, “On the 5th of December, you will see.” That date is when the peace prize will be officially announced—right in the middle of the World Cup draw ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., an arts venue that Trump has notably reshaped in 2025. The draw itself is a major event, determining the 12 four-team groups that will compete in the tournament’s 104 matches starting next June.
This year, though, the draw will be about more than just soccer. The peace prize introduces an entirely new element to an event that has traditionally focused solely on the sport. According to News18, the addition of the award marks a clear departure from tradition, with the ceremony now expected to attract not just athletes and fans, but also political leaders, peace advocates, and the world’s media.
And yet, for all the attention the prize is receiving, FIFA has been tight-lipped about the details. The organization has not disclosed how recipients will be chosen, who will be on the selection committee, or what specific criteria will guide the decision. FIFA declined to answer emailed questions from the Associated Press regarding the process. Infantino did, however, reiterate on Instagram that “it’s fundamental to recognize the outstanding contribution of those who work hard to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace.”
FIFA’s own statements have emphasized that the award is not restricted to figures from the world of soccer. “Individuals who have undertaken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and in doing so have united people across the world” are eligible, the organization said, leaving the door open for politicians, activists, and perhaps even unexpected nominees.
Of course, the timing and context of this peace prize have not gone unnoticed. With Trump’s well-publicized quest for the Nobel and his role in reshaping the Kennedy Center—now the site of the World Cup draw and the peace prize announcement—many see the award as at least partly a response to his Nobel snub. As Baltimore Sun and News18 both note, if Trump were to win the FIFA prize, it would likely reinforce the perception that the honor was created with him in mind, or at least in recognition of his efforts that were overlooked by other international bodies.
Meanwhile, the World Cup itself is shaping up to be a landmark event. The draw on December 5 will allocate qualifying nations into the 12 groups, setting the stage for a tournament that’s expected to draw massive global attention. For soccer fans, this is when the competition becomes real: teams learn their opponents, travel plans are made, and the excitement truly begins to build.
Yet, with the peace prize now sharing the spotlight, the draw ceremony is likely to have a different feel this year. It’s a bold move by FIFA, an organization that has long promoted soccer as a tool for peace and unity, but has never before had an official peace prize. The decision to launch one now, and to announce it in such a high-profile setting, is a significant statement—one that will be watched closely not just by fans, but by political observers and peace advocates worldwide.
As for who will walk away with the inaugural prize, the world will have to wait until December 5 to find out. Infantino’s coy response in Miami—“On the 5th of December, you will see”—has only heightened anticipation. Whether the award goes to Trump, another political figure, or someone entirely unexpected, it’s clear that FIFA’s new peace prize has already succeeded in generating global conversation—about the intersection of sports, politics, and the ongoing quest for peace.
Whatever the outcome, the 2025 World Cup draw in Washington promises to be an event unlike any before it, blending the drama of international soccer with the gravity of a global peace initiative. As the world watches, the boundaries between sport and diplomacy continue to blur, and FIFA’s bold new prize stands as a testament to the power—and complexity—of both.
