What's happened
On December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded US President Donald Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, recognizing his efforts to promote peace and unity globally. The ceremony coincided with the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, hosted across the US, Mexico, and Canada. The prize, a departure from FIFA's traditional sports focus, sparked controversy due to Infantino's close ties with Trump and ongoing political tensions.
What's behind the headline?
FIFA's Political Pivot
FIFA's introduction of a Peace Prize marks a significant shift from its traditional sports-centric role to active engagement in global diplomacy, largely driven by President Gianni Infantino's personal alliance with Donald Trump. This move blurs the lines between sport and politics, raising questions about FIFA's neutrality and governance.
Infantino's Strategy and Influence
Infantino's close relationship with Trump, including multiple White House visits and FIFA's office in Trump Tower, suggests the prize serves more as a political endorsement than an impartial recognition of peace efforts. This alignment risks FIFA's reputation, especially as Infantino bypassed internal consultation, surprising senior FIFA officials.
Controversy and Global Reactions
The award comes amid criticism of Trump's administration for hardening immigration rhetoric and lethal strikes in the Caribbean, contrasting with the peace narrative. Iran's boycott of the World Cup draw over visa denials underscores the geopolitical tensions surrounding the event.
Impact on the 2026 World Cup
Trump's prominent role in the World Cup draw and the peace prize presentation politicize the tournament, potentially affecting its global reception. FIFA's desire for a successful event financially and symbolically ties it closely to Trump's political fortunes.
Forecast
FIFA's politicization will likely deepen scrutiny of Infantino's leadership and the organization's governance. The peace prize may become a recurring tool for political signaling rather than a genuine peace accolade, influencing future World Cup diplomacy and FIFA's global standing.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel reports that Trump was "heavily favored" to win the newly created FIFA Peace Prize, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino calling it a "beautiful medal for you that you can wear everywhere you want to go." Trump described receiving the prize as "one of the great honors of my life." The New Arab highlights Infantino's view of soccer as a unifier but notes the prize is a departure from FIFA's traditional focus, and mentions Trump's administration's controversial actions, including lethal strikes and immigration rhetoric. The New York Times, through Tariq Panja, reveals that the prize was hastily created by FIFA, surprising senior officials, and underscores Infantino's efforts to ingratiate himself with Trump, including renting office space in Trump Tower. Politico uncovers frustration among international soccer officials over Infantino's siding with Trump despite White House policies causing challenges for World Cup teams and fans. Al Jazeera details the geopolitical tensions, including Iran's boycott of the draw due to visa refusals, and Trump's threats to move matches from Democratic-run cities. SBS provides critical perspectives on Infantino's political neutrality and the implications of FIFA's close ties with Trump. These sources collectively illustrate a complex interplay of sport, politics, and diplomacy surrounding the 2026 World Cup and the FIFA Peace Prize.
How we got here
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, expanding to 48 teams, will be hosted jointly by the US, Mexico, and Canada. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, a close ally of Donald Trump, created a new FIFA Peace Prize to honor individuals promoting global peace. Trump, who campaigned for the Nobel Peace Prize, was widely expected to receive this inaugural award amid diplomatic tensions and scrutiny of his administration's policies.
Go deeper
- Why did FIFA create a new Peace Prize?
- What controversies surround Gianni Infantino's relationship with Trump?
- How is the 2026 World Cup affected by political tensions?
Common question
-
How Did Portugal Win Their First FIFA U-17 World Cup?
Portugal's historic victory at the FIFA U-17 World Cup marks a significant milestone in youth football. Their first-ever win was achieved through skill, teamwork, and a decisive goal from Anisio Cabral. This tournament, featuring a new 48-team format, has reshaped youth competitions worldwide. Curious about how Portugal managed this feat and what it means for future talent? Keep reading for all the details.
-
What Are the Biggest News Stories Today?
Stay updated with the latest global headlines shaping our world today. From humanitarian crises to political developments and international conflicts, these stories are crucial to understanding current events. Curious about how these events connect or what they mean for the future? Keep reading for clear, concise answers to your most pressing questions.
-
Will Maxi Moralez Retire After This MLS Season?
Maxi Moralez has been a key figure for NYCFC and a respected veteran in MLS. As his career nears its end, many fans and followers are wondering what his future holds. Will he hang up his boots after this season? What has he achieved so far? And what might come next for this influential player? Below, we explore the highlights of his career, his impact on the league, and his plans moving forward.
-
Why Is the 2026 FIFA World Cup Causing Political Tensions?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is more than just a sporting event — it's stirring up political debates and diplomatic tensions. Hosted across the US, Mexico, and Canada, the tournament features controversial elements like a new peace prize and high-profile political figures. Many wonder how sports and politics are intertwined in this global event. Below, we explore the key questions about the political implications of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and what they mean for international diplomacy.
-
Why Is the 2026 FIFA World Cup Turning Into a Political Battle?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is more than just a football tournament — it's becoming a focal point for international politics and diplomacy. With the event spanning the US, Mexico, and Canada, and controversial elements like a peace prize at the draw, many are asking: what's really going on? Below, we explore the key questions about the intersection of sports and politics surrounding this global event.
-
What is FIFA's new peace prize and why is it controversial?
FIFA recently announced the creation of its own peace prize, sparking widespread debate. The prize is believed to be awarded to US President Donald Trump, highlighting FIFA's close ties with political figures amid global tensions. This move raises questions about FIFA's role in politics and the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Below, we explore the details, the controversy, and what it means for international sports diplomacy.
More on these topics
-
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
-
Giovanni Vincenzo "Gianni" Infantino is a Swiss–Italian football administrator and the current president of FIFA. He was elected President of FIFA during the 2016 FIFA Extraordinary Congress on 26 February 2016.
-
FIFA is a non-profit organization which describes itself as an international governing body of association football, fútsal, beach soccer, and efootball. It is the highest governing body of football.
-
Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a sovereign country consisting of a peninsula delimited by the Alps and surrounded by several islands. Italy is located in south-central Europe, and is considered part of western Europe.
-
Mark Joseph Carney OC is an economist and banker who served as the Governor of the Bank of Canada from 2008 until 2013 and the Governor of the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020.
-
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (born 24 June 1962) is a Mexican politician, energy and climate change scientist, and academic who is the 66th and current president of Mexico since 2024. She is the first woman and the first Jewish person to hold the office. A...
-
New York City Football Club are an American professional soccer club based in New York City that competes in Major League Soccer, the highest level of American soccer, as a member of the league's Eastern Conference.
-
The Philadelphia Union are an American professional soccer team based in Chester, Pennsylvania. The Union competes in Major League Soccer as a member club of the league's Eastern Conference. The club began play in 2010 as an expansion team of the league.
-
Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, is a country located mostly in the southern half of South America. Sharing the bulk of the Southern Cone with Chile to the west, the country is also bordered by Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, Brazil to the
-
Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometres, making it the world's second-largest c
-
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea
-
Melania Trump is a Slovenian-American former model, businesswoman, and the current first lady of the United States, as the wife of the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump.