Fifa is standing by its decision to award U.S. President Donald Trump with its newly created Peace Award, even after the move triggered widespread debate across the sporting and political worlds.
According to reporting by the Daily Mail, officials inside football’s governing body have dismissed suggestions that the award would be withdrawn or quietly discontinued following criticism linked to Trump’s foreign policy actions.
The award, introduced last year as part of Fifa’s expanding honours programme, was presented to Trump in December. Its future was quickly questioned after Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro was abducted by American forces weeks later, an episode that drew renewed attention to the political implications of the prize.
Award remains in place
Despite the backlash, those familiar with internal discussions at Fifa say there has been no serious reconsideration of the award itself.
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According to the Daily Mail’s chief sports reporter Mike Keegan, sources within Fifa do not believe subsequent geopolitical events invalidate the reasoning behind Trump’s selection. Instead, the organisation views the criticism as external pressure rather than a reason to reverse course.
Fifa officials are said to remain committed to the idea of recognising figures they believe have contributed to peace efforts, regardless of political controversy surrounding individual recipients.
Internal stance at Fifa
People close to Fifa leadership indicate that the governing body is keen to avoid setting a precedent of abandoning initiatives under public pressure.
According to the Daily Mail, insiders have made clear that the Peace Award was never intended to be a one off gesture. Rather than shelving the concept, Fifa sees continuity as essential to preserving its credibility and institutional independence.
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Within the organisation, there is reportedly little appetite to reassess the award’s purpose so soon after its launch.
Political debate outside the pitch
The decision has intensified broader criticism of Fifa’s role beyond football.
Observers and critics have questioned whether a global sports organisation should involve itself in symbolic judgments tied to peace and diplomacy, particularly when those judgments intersect with highly divisive international actions.
While the debate continues externally, Fifa appears determined to separate its internal criteria from public reaction.
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Next recipient already discussed
According to the Daily Mail, preparations are already under way for the Peace Award to be presented again later this year.
Fifa sources say a second recipient is expected to be named before the end of the calendar year, signalling that the organisation intends to make the award a permanent feature rather than a short lived experiment.
For now, the governing body shows no sign of retreat, even as scrutiny of its political positioning continues.
Sources: Daily Mail
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