In a move that has raised eyebrows across the sporting and political world, FIFA, the governing body of world soccer, has announced the creation of an annual peace prize. Dubbed the FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World, this new accolade seeks to reward "individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace," according to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The inaugural award is set to be presented on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., coinciding with the highly anticipated draw for the 2026 World Cup.
While FIFA is no stranger to promoting the unifying power of soccer, this foray into peace advocacy marks a significant departure from its usual focus. The organization has not offered an official peace prize before, and the timing and circumstances around this new award have led to widespread speculation about its motives and potential recipients. With the world’s eyes on the upcoming World Cup—jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—FIFA’s peace initiative is attracting attention far beyond the pitch.
Gianni Infantino, who revealed the prize earlier this week, emphasized its broader scope: the award is not limited to figures in the world of sports. "In an increasingly unsettled and divided world, it's fundamental to recognise the outstanding contribution of those who work hard to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace," Infantino declared, as reported by HQ FIFA. He added, "Football stands for peace, and on behalf of the entire global football community, the FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World will recognise the enormous efforts of those individuals who unite people, bringing hope for future generations."
Details about the selection process remain shrouded in mystery. FIFA has not disclosed who will choose the winner or what specific criteria will be used. The Associated Press reported that the organization did not respond to questions about how recipients would be selected. Infantino did, however, share 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." The official statement from FIFA underlined that the award is meant to honor "individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world."
The announcement has inevitably fueled speculation about who might be the first recipient. Many observers have pointed to former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has long campaigned for international recognition of his peace efforts, particularly in the Middle East. The timing of the FIFA Peace Prize—coming just after Trump failed to secure the Nobel Peace Prize—has not gone unnoticed. The Nobel this year was awarded to María Corina Machado, a pro-democracy activist from Venezuela, rather than Trump, despite his high-profile efforts at the 2025 Gaza Peace Summit, where a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was brokered.
Infantino’s relationship with Trump has been described as close and mutually beneficial. The two were seen together in Miami on the very day FIFA announced the peace prize, both speaking at a business leaders' conference. According to The Associated Press, Infantino has previously called Trump a "champion of world peace" and even wrote on Instagram that the former president "definitely deserves" the Nobel Peace Prize for his attempts to negotiate peace in Gaza. When asked in Miami whether Trump would win the FIFA prize, Infantino reportedly laughed and replied, "On the 5th of December, you will see."
The speculation is only heightened by recent developments tying FIFA and the Trump family even closer. As reported by The Guardian and HQ FIFA, Ivanka Trump was recently appointed to the board of a $100 million education project partly funded by 2026 World Cup ticket sales—a move that has stirred controversy, especially given the rising ticket prices and opposition from some local leaders, such as New York City’s newly elected mayor Zhoran Mamdani.
Commentators have noted the blending of sports and politics in this latest move by FIFA. Kieran Cunningham, speaking on RTÉ's Behind the Story podcast, remarked, "Infantino's kneejerk reaction to any criticism of these moves is that politics and sport don’t mix, but politics and sport mix when it suits him." He pointed out that the previous World Cup’s award to Qatar was itself highly controversial, and now, with the FIFA Peace Prize, the organization appears to be embracing political influence when it aligns with its interests.
Cunningham also highlighted the strategic timing of the prize: "We all know that Donald Trump is obsessed with winning the Nobel Peace Prize. This year, because of the timing of when Trump came into power, it wasn’t possible – so Infantino is grabbing his opportunity to get in before the Nobel judges." He added, "The presentation will take place at the World Cup draw, where he was going to be anyway, so you can join the dots."
The ceremony itself promises to be a global spectacle. The World Cup draw, to be held at the Kennedy Center, is a pivotal moment for teams and fans alike, as it determines the groupings and schedule for the 104-game tournament set to unfold in 16 cities across North America next summer. Traditionally, this event is all about soccer, but this year, the addition of the peace prize introduces a new layer of significance.
For FIFA, the peace prize may serve multiple purposes: reinforcing its message of unity, strengthening ties with influential political figures, and perhaps even shaping its legacy on the world stage. As Infantino put it, "Football stands for peace." But as the world watches to see who will receive the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, many are left wondering whether this new tradition will truly transcend politics—or simply reflect them.
With the official announcement set for December 5, speculation will no doubt continue to swirl. Whether the prize will go to Donald Trump, another world leader, or someone entirely outside the political sphere remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that FIFA’s foray into peace advocacy has already succeeded in uniting the worlds of sport, politics, and global attention—at least for now.
