In a move that’s already setting the global sports and political worlds abuzz, FIFA has announced the creation of a new annual honor: the FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World. The award, designed to recognize individuals whose actions have fostered peace and unity through football, will be presented for the first time during the 2026 World Cup draw on December 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The announcement, made on November 6, 2025, by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, has sparked widespread speculation, not least because of the event’s high-profile location and the personalities involved.
According to BBC Sport, the FIFA Peace Prize is to be awarded annually to a person who has "taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace" and "united people across the world." The inaugural ceremony will see the recipient receive the award from Infantino himself, in front of a global audience expected to number around a billion viewers. That’s not just a staggering statistic—it’s a testament to football’s reach and influence as a unifying force.
Infantino, who has been at the helm of FIFA since 2016, described the motivation behind the new award in a statement: "In an increasingly unsettled and divided world, it is fundamental to recognize the outstanding contribution of those who work hard to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace." He added, "Football stands for peace, and the award will recognize the enormous efforts of those individuals who unite people, bringing hope for future generations." (France 24)
While FIFA’s official statements have focused on the broad ideals of peace and unity, the buzz around this year’s potential recipient has been impossible to ignore. Much of the speculation centers on U.S. President Donald Trump, who has forged a notably close relationship with Infantino in recent years. The two have appeared together at several public events, and Trump has played a prominent role in bringing the 2026 World Cup to North America, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Trump’s connection to the award is further fueled by his well-publicized disappointment at not winning the Nobel Peace Prize earlier this year—a prize that ultimately went to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. As CNN reported, Trump’s comments on missing out on the Nobel, combined with Infantino’s praise of his efforts, have led many to wonder if FIFA’s new Peace Prize might be a sort of consolation or alternative recognition.
Yet, when pressed directly on whether Trump would be the inaugural recipient, Infantino played his cards close to his chest. At the America Business Forum in Miami—where both he and Trump spoke—Infantino responded to questions with a coy, "You will see." (BBC Sport, NPR) He declined to reveal any details about the nomination or selection process, leaving the field open to speculation.
Infantino has not been shy about his admiration for Trump. In remarks reported by NPR, he said, "I'm really lucky. I have a great relationship with President Trump, who I consider really a close friend." He went on to praise Trump’s energy and directness: "He does things. He does what he says. He says what he thinks. He says, actually, what many people think as well, but maybe don't dare to say. And that's why he's so successful."
The relationship between FIFA and the Trump family has deepened in recent months. Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter, was recently appointed to the board of a $100 million education project that will be partly funded by ticket sales from the 2026 World Cup. This initiative, as NPR notes, is another link between Trump and FIFA, and it underscores the administration’s ongoing involvement in World Cup preparations.
For FIFA, the Peace Prize is intended to be more than just a one-off gesture. As the organization explained in its announcement, the award will become an annual fixture, presented at a major tournament each year. The aim is to honor those who use football as a bridge between cultures and communities, promoting messages of harmony and inclusion. "Given its global audience, it is the perfect means of conveying messages of harmony and inclusion," noted Morocco World News.
The timing of the announcement is no accident. The 2026 World Cup will be the largest in history, with 48 teams competing across 16 cities in North America—a significant expansion from previous tournaments. FIFA’s ongoing campaign, "Football Unites the World," has been a recurring theme at recent competitions, and the new Peace Prize is being positioned as a natural extension of that message.
Despite the excitement, FIFA has kept the details of the Peace Prize’s nomination and selection process under wraps. There’s been no public information on how candidates are chosen, who sits on the selection committee, or what specific criteria are used to determine the winner. This opacity has only fueled further debate, especially among those who see the prize as potentially political.
Reactions to the news have been mixed. Some observers, particularly on the political right, see the potential awarding of the Peace Prize to Trump as overdue recognition for his efforts to resolve international conflicts and his role in securing the World Cup for North America. Others, including critics of both FIFA and the Trump administration, question whether the prize is being politicized or used as a platform for personal relationships rather than objective achievement.
Conservative podcast host Ben Shapiro even joked that soccer is "un-American," highlighting the cultural divides that sometimes surface around the sport in the U.S. Meanwhile, a White House official, reacting to the Nobel snub, claimed the Nobel committee "place politics over peace." The possibility of Trump receiving the FIFA Peace Prize is thus seen by some as a corrective to what they view as unfair treatment by other international bodies.
Whatever one’s perspective, there’s no denying the spectacle and symbolism that the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize ceremony will bring. With the world watching, the event is poised to blend the drama of global football with the intrigue of international politics. Whether Trump emerges as the first recipient or not, the stage is set for a moment that could redefine how sport and diplomacy intersect on the world stage.
As the 2026 World Cup draws near, all eyes will be on Washington this December, waiting to see just who FIFA deems worthy of the title "peacemaker."
