Trump was unsurprisingly given the first ever Fifa peace prize World Cup draw ceremony
At the World Cup draw ceremony in Washington, DC, U.S. President Donald Trump received FIFA’s first-ever Peace Prize, an award meant to honor individuals who have made “exceptional contributions to peace and unity.” FIFA president Gianni Infantino, known for his close ties with Trump, presented the prize.
The decision immediately generated major international controversy. Human rights organizations — including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International — urged FIFA earlier in the week not to grant the award, citing concerns about recent U.S. government actions. In a joint statement, the groups condemned what they described as escalating attacks on human rights and civil liberties, referencing immigrant detentions, limits on free expression, and the militarization of U.S. cities.
Infantino highlighted Trump’s involvement in Middle East peace discussions and U.S. diplomatic efforts connected to the ongoing war sparked by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. However, critics pointed to additional tensions surrounding a Venezuelan boat incident in the Caribbean and Trump’s remarks suggesting potential military strikes on Mexican territory to curb drug trafficking. His recent statement referring to Somali immigrants as “garbage” further fueled backlash.
Accepting the award, Trump called it “one of the great honours of my life.” He praised Infantino and celebrated rapid World Cup ticket sales, predicting an event “the likes of which maybe the world has never seen.” He also thanked Canada and Mexico for their cooperation in hosting the 2026 tournament before taking a political jab at former president Joe Biden, claiming the U.S. is now “the hottest country anywhere in the world.”
While FIFA framed the award as a celebration of global unity, the reaction from civil society suggests the debate over Trump’s legacy — and the future of the 2026 World Cup — is far from over.
