FIFA creates ‘peace prize’ for World Cup draw
FIFA will inaugurate a new annual honor, the FIFA Peace Prize, during the draw for the 2026 World Cup on December 5 in Washington, the global football body announced Wednesday.
The award is designed to “recognize exceptional actions for peace,” FIFA said in a statement. President Gianni Infantino confirmed that he will present the inaugural prize at the ceremony but declined to disclose who the first recipient will be. “On the 5th of December, you will see,” Infantino told reporters at the America Business Forum in Miami, where he spoke shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump.
“In an increasingly unsettled and divided world, it’s fundamental to recognize the outstanding contribution of those who work hard to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace,” Infantino said earlier Wednesday.
The new prize will be awarded annually “on behalf of fans from all around the world,” according to FIFA, and is expected to become a regular feature of its major global events.
Infantino said the World Cup draw was the ideal setting for the award, calling football “a universal language that unites people” but adding that “we also need leaders who push peace into the goal and score it.”
Infantino has maintained a close relationship with President Trump since the joint U.S.-Mexico-Canada bid secured hosting rights for the 2026 World Cup. Trump, who was recently overlooked for the Nobel Peace Prize despite endorsements from some world leaders, has appeared alongside Infantino at several events related to the tournament’s preparation.
“I have a great relationship with President Trump, who I consider a close friend,” Infantino said. “He has been very helpful in everything we do for the World Cup.”
FIFA has further strengthened its ties with the Trump family by appointing Ivanka Trump to the board of a $100 million global education initiative, partly funded by proceeds from 2026 World Cup ticket sales.
The introduction of the Peace Prize underscores FIFA’s broader effort to align football with global social causes, positioning the sport as a vehicle for unity and diplomacy in an era of rising political tension.