FIFA Faces Criticism for Awarding Peace Prize to Donald Trump

Washington, DC – FIFA’s longstanding policy of political neutrality has come under scrutiny after its president, Gianni Infantino, awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to United States President Donald Trump during the 2026 World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center.

The decision has drawn widespread criticism from rights groups, journalists, and former UN officials, who argue that the award contradicts FIFA’s professed stance against politicizing football. Critics describe the recognition as “vulgar” and “shameful”, highlighting Trump’s controversial domestic and foreign policies.

Controversial Timing and Actions

Critics noted that Trump received the prize less than 24 hours after a deadly US airstrike in the Caribbean, which resulted in multiple civilian casualties. Craig Mokhiber, a former UN official who has campaigned to suspend Israel from international football over its actions in Gaza, called the award “a truly shameful development,” accusing Infantino of using the prize to curry favor with Trump.

Mokhiber argued that the award seeks to obscure Trump’s support for Israel, deadly Caribbean strikes, and alleged human rights violations in the United States, undermining the credibility of FIFA’s peace initiative.

Infantino Praises Trump

During the ceremony, Infantino lauded Trump’s international initiatives, including the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states, though critics note the Palestinian question remains unresolved.

“This is what we want from a leader: a leader that cares about the people. We want to live in a safe world, in a safe environment, and we want to unite,” Infantino said while presenting the prize.

Trump expressed gratitude, describing the award as one of the “great honours” of his life and repeating his claims of having ended eight wars and saved millions of lives. He also contrasted his record with that of former President Joe Biden, asserting that the United States is now “the hottest country anywhere in the world.”

Departure from FIFA’s Past Neutrality

Infantino has previously stressed that football must remain politically neutral. In 2023, he said:

“There’s no more powerful tool than sport to unite people. Now we have to protect the autonomy of sport: the political neutrality of sport and the values of sport.”

Two years later, critics point out the incongruity of awarding a peace prize to a president who recently referred to Somali immigrants as “garbage” and has implemented controversial foreign interventions. Football journalist Zach Lowy compared it to “giving Luis Suarez a prize for not biting people’s ears off,” highlighting the irony.

Trump’s Controversial Record

While Trump has brokered some peace deals, including efforts between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, his administration has simultaneously:

• Ordered 22 air strikes against drug-smuggling vessels, killing at least 86 people.
• Bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities.
• Increased military assets near Venezuela, raising war speculation.
• Implemented strict anti-immigration policies, targeting non-citizens and critics of Israel.

Human Rights Watch criticized the award, noting that Trump’s record does not demonstrate “exceptional actions for peace and unity.” Mokhiber called for FIFA to rescind the prize, warning that Infantino risks leading the organization into moral and ethical compromise.

Political Implications

The controversy underscores the growing tension between sports and politics, especially as the US prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada. FIFA’s actions have prompted debate over whether international sports bodies should maintain impartiality or engage in political gestures that could undermine their credibility.