Miami: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has unveiled a new global accolade, the FIFA Peace Prize, aimed at recognising individuals who promote unity and peace through extraordinary actions.
The inaugural award will be presented on December 5 during the World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, an event expected to be attended by US President Donald Trump.
The announcement comes just weeks after Trump was passed over for the Nobel Peace Prize, drawing attention to the timing and perceived alignment between FIFA and the former president. Trump has long campaigned for the Nobel award, and after it was granted this year to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, senior White House aides criticised the decision as politics over peace. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson subsequently announced plans to rally parliamentary leaders to nominate Trump for next year’s prize.
Rewarding individuals who have taken exceptional actions for peace 🙌
FIFA has announced a new annual award to honour individuals who have helped to unite people all over the world in peace and consequently deserve a special and unique recognition.
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) November 5, 2025
Infantino framed the FIFA Peace Prize as part of a broader effort to use football as a force for dialogue and global unity. While acknowledging that football alone cannot resolve conflicts, he stressed that the sport can carry a message of peace. The award, formally titled “FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World,” will be presented annually on behalf of football fans worldwide.
The initiative follows a series of peace-oriented events involving Infantino and Trump. In October, Infantino joined Trump at a summit in Egypt focused on a Gaza ceasefire and later spoke in Riyadh about football’s role in promoting happiness and unity. FIFA has also strengthened ties with the Trump family, appointing his daughter Ivanka to a board overseeing a $100 million education project partially funded by 2026 World Cup ticket sales.
Trump, who announced that the World Cup draw would be held in Washington, has emphasised the unifying potential of the tournament. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature a record 104 matches across 16 cities from June 11 to July 19.
