Trump Receives Inaugural FIFA Peace Prize Amid Scrutiny of Organization’s Ties
WASHINGTON D.C. – Former U.S. President Donald Trump was awarded a newly created FIFA peace prize at the World Cup draw ceremony in Washington D.C. today, a decision already drawing criticism given Trump’s complex and often contradictory record on international conflict and FIFA’s increasingly close relationship with his political network.
The award comes as FIFA promotes the expanded 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, canada and Mexico, as an opportunity too “unite the world,” featuring a record 104 matches across 16 host cities beginning on June 11th.
Trump has repeatedly sought international recognition for peacemaking efforts, claiming to have “ended the Israel-Iran war,” a 12-day conflict where the U.S. actively supported Israel with long-range airstrikes. He has also asserted a notable role in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan in May, a claim disputed by India.
While Trump’s involvement in mediating conflicts between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Thailand and Cambodia appears to have been more significant, claims of ending fighting between Rwandan-backed rebels and the DRC have been undermined by ongoing clashes. His assertions of peacemaking regarding Serbia and Kosovo, and Egypt and ethiopia, are unsubstantiated as no active conflicts existed.
Critics point to actions contradicting a ”peacemaker” image, including U.S. military strikes against boats in the Caribbean based on contested legal grounds concerning “narco terrorists,” and threats against Venezuela.
the decision to bestow the inaugural FIFA honor is highly likely to intensify scrutiny of the organization’s alignment with Trump’s political orbit. FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s relationship with Trump has become increasingly visible in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup.The pair appeared together at a summit in Egypt in October following the Gaza ceasefire, with Infantino stating football can “invest in happiness” and carry “a message of peace” even if it “cannot solve conflict.”
FIFA has further strengthened ties with Trump’s inner circle, appointing his daughter, Ivanka Trump, to the board of a $100 million education initiative partially funded by 2026 World Cup ticket revenues.
Following this year’s Nobel Peace prize being awarded to venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, senior Republicans denounced the decision as “politics over peace,” with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson vowing to support a global nomination for Trump next year.
