FIFA stands by its Peace Price decision to Donald Trump
Global football’s governing body is once again facing scrutiny as controversy surrounding the United States president spills into preparations for the 2026 World Cup. The debate centres on a symbolic award FIFA presented late last year, a move that critics now argue sits uneasily alongside recent geopolitical tensions.
Award ceremony draws renewed attention
Donald Trump was presented with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize on December 5, 2025, shortly before the official draw for the 2026 World Cup. The ceremony took place in Washington, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in attendance.
The 79 year old president received a gold trophy, medal and certificate. During his remarks, Trump said his leadership had saved “tens of millions of lives” and helped prevent conflicts before they escalated.
FIFA has described the peace prize as an honour reserved for individuals who have taken exceptional actions to promote peace and unity across borders.
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Political actions fuel criticism
Since the award was announced, Trump’s administration has faced widespread criticism over a series of foreign policy decisions. According to The Guardian, Trump confirmed on January 2 that US forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a covert military operation.
The Guardian also reported that Trump has issued warnings of possible military action linked to disputes involving Iran and Greenland. He has argued that the United States “needs Greenland” for national security reasons, urging Denmark to relinquish control of the territory.
European leaders have publicly rejected the idea. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the proposal as “completely wrong”, according to The Guardian, shortly before Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on the UK and other allied nations.
FIFA defends its decision
Despite the backlash, FIFA has made clear it does not intend to withdraw the award. In comments reported by The Guardian, a FIFA spokesperson said the organisation “strongly supports its annual peace prize” and defended its purpose as recognising efforts that promote peace and unity.
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The spokesperson added that FIFA maintains close working relationships with Trump and with the governments of Canada and Mexico, the tournament’s co hosts. As an example, FIFA pointed to cooperation with the US administration on the creation of a White House task force dedicated to World Cup planning.
Unease behind the scenes
However, according to The Guardian, not all voices within FIFA are aligned. The newspaper reported that some officials privately feel uncomfortable with the decision to honour Trump, particularly as pressure builds ahead of the 2026 tournament and international criticism continues.
Sources: The Guardian
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