DID Press: In one of the most controversial moments in football history, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) awarded U.S. President Donald Trump the inaugural “FIFA Peace Award”—a prize that did not previously exist—during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington. The unprecedented move immediately sparked waves of criticism, ridicule, and global astonishment.
Critics argue that the award lacked any formal judging process, established criteria, approval from FIFA’s council, or precedent within the organization. Many contend that it was more of a political gesture aimed at appeasing the White House than a genuine evaluation of contributions to peace.
At the ceremony, FIFA President Gianni Infantino lauded Trump as “entirely deserving” of the award. However, many observers highlighted the stark contradiction with FIFA’s stated rules on political neutrality, which penalize players for even minor political statements, yet senior officials themselves engaged directly in political action.
The global reaction, ranging from criticism to mockery, spread rapidly on social media, with users dubbing the award a “political comedy” and a “glorification of Trump.” Human rights advocates also emphasized that Trump’s military policies, support for controversial Israeli actions, international threats, and stringent immigration measures bore no relation to the concept of peace.
Infantino’s close relationship with Trump and previous efforts to highlight the U.S. president’s global influence led analysts to view the award as a continuation of FIFA’s political entanglements, which have included invitations to high-profile events and ceremonial medals.
This latest action by FIFA has reignited questions about the organization’s political role. Critics argue that FIFA has drifted further from its claim of being a “politics-free” sporting body, and awarding an unprecedented prize to Trump has further damaged its credibility.
Consequently, rather than symbolizing unity and solidarity, the FIFA Peace Award has, from its inception, become a political scandal, highlighting how sports can be leveraged for personal political interests at the expense of its humanitarian and symbolic values.